Tag: LGBT

Arkansas Governor Vetoes Good Bill That Would Protect Children From Gender-Reassignment Procedures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 5, 2021

Little Rock, Ark. – On Monday Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson vetoed H.B. 1570, the Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act.

Family Council President Jerry Cox issued a statement saying, “The Arkansas Legislature needs to step up and override the governor’s veto to make sure this good bill becomes law. Gender-reassignment surgeries can leave children sterilized and scarred for life. Medical researchers do not know the long term effects these procedures can have on kids. That is why many people equate them with experimenting on children. Arkansas must protect its children from these sex-reassignment procedures.”

Cox pointed out that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not authorized puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to be used for gender-reassignment. “The FDA has never approved puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for the purpose of gender transition. Doctors are giving children these drugs off-label. They are having children use these drugs in a way that the FDA never intended. That’s unethical, and it endangers the children of Arkansas. H.B. 1570 would stop this dangerous practice in Arkansas.”

Cox called on Arkansas’ lawmakers to override the governor’s veto and enact the SAFE Act. “Arkansas has good lawmakers who strongly support this good bill. We hope Arkansas’ legislators will do the right thing and override the governor’s veto on H.B. 1570. This is a good bill that will protect children. It needs to become law.”

Family Council is a conservative education and research organization based in Little Rock.

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H.B. 1570 Will Save Lives: Heritage Foundation

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 Daily Signal writes,

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.

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