The Heritage Foundation’s Daily Signal published an article this week highlighting H.B. 1570 in Arkansas.
This good bill by Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R – Springdale) and Sen. Alan Clark (R – Lonsdale) prohibits sex-reassignment procedures on children in Arkansas.
The bill also prevents funding of sex-reassignment procedures performed on children.
Gender-reassignment surgeries can leave children sterilized and scarred for life.
Medical researchers do not know the long term effects these procedures and therapies can have on kids. That is why many people equate them with experimenting on children.
The American Civil Liberties Union has wrongly decried the bill as “banning trans youth from accessing health care and health insurance.”
The bill does no such thing.
The lives of transgender individuals aren’t under attack. No transgender youth will be turned away from basic health care services or facilities.
In fact, the Arkansas bill would save lives by ensuring that children who struggle with gender dysphoria will be provided the best science- and evidence-based treatments to ensure lifelong health and wellness.
Research shows that between 88% and 98% of gender dysphoric children will reconcile with their bodily sex if allowed to go through puberty without hormonal interventions.
Conversely, hormonal and surgical interventions on children’s bodies, such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical procedures have been shown to lead to cardiovascular disease, loss of bone density, and sterilization.
Moreover, the science shows that those who undergo so-called “transition” surgeries experience no mental health benefits and are 19 times more likely than the average population to commit suicide.
Given that no lasting psychological health benefits are gained as a result of transitioning, bills like Arkansas’ measure that prevent gender dysphoric children from rushing into irreversible sex-change interventions, whether chemical or surgical, actually save lives and ensure health.
H.B. 1570 is currently on Governor Hutchinson’s desk.
You can call (501) 682-2345 to leave a message encouraging him to sign this good bill into law. You can also go to signthesafeact.com to contact Gov. Hutchinson.
