North Carolina Passes Controversial Bill Limiting Transgender Rights for Minors

Raleigh, N.C. (AP) – The Republican-led General Assembly in North Carolina has enacted a bill that bars medical professionals from providing hormone therapy, puberty-blocking drugs and surgical gender-transition procedures to anyone under 18, with limited medical exceptions. The bill was passed over the veto of Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat.

The policy takes effect immediately, but minors who had begun treatment before August 1 may continue receiving that care if their doctors deem it medically necessary and their parents consent. The legislation also includes provisions that prohibit transgender athletes from competing in school sports in accordance with their gender identity and limit the scope of LGBTQ+ instruction in the classroom.

The bill has been met with strong opposition from LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue that it is a violation of the rights of transgender youth. “This is a devastating day for transgender youth in North Carolina,” said Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice at the American Civil Liberties Union. “This law will cause serious harm to the health and well-being of transgender youth and sends a dangerous message that the state will not protect them.”

Supporters of the bill, however, argue that it is necessary to protect children from making irreversible decisions about their gender. “We are protecting children from making permanent decisions they may regret later in life,” said Republican Rep. John Bradford, a sponsor of the bill.

The bill’s passage marks a major victory for social conservatives in North Carolina and sets a precedent for other states considering similar legislation. It remains to be seen how the bill will be enforced and what the long-term implications will be for transgender youth in the state.