Kentucky Passes ‘America’s Worst Anti-Transgender Bill’

Kentucky lawmakers have passed an expanded anti-trans bill that affects the rights of vulnerable young trans people in the state.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky condemned the bill as “the worst anti-trans bill in the country.”

The state Legislature passed the bill in a matter of hours Thursday night (March 16) with approval from a committee, as well as the state House and Senate.

Senate Bill 150 seeks to ban gender-affirming health care for trans youth, require doctors to de-transform young trans people, and prevent schools from discussing gender identity or sexual orientation with students of any age.

The bill initially focused on schools with provisions that force teachers and students to misgender their students and classmates, and allow parents to opt their children out of any lessons where sexuality is discussed.

New additions from another anti-trans bill, House Bill 470, were added to SB 150, expanding it to include a ban on gender-affirming health care for transgender youth and a requirement that school districts form policies that “at least” not allow trans children to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity.

SB 150 would also require doctors to develop a withdrawal schedule for children currently receiving hormone therapy or puberty blockers — but only if immediate withdrawal could cause them physical harm — to meet the ultimate goal of detransitioning young people.

Additionally, districts and schools will not be allowed to adopt any policies aimed at compliance student information is confidential from parents, which can put young people at risk at home if they do not disclose their sexuality or gender identity to caregivers.

Kentucky State Senator Dr. Karen Berg, who lost her trans son to suicide in 2022, vehemently opposed the billdescribing the vote on Twitter as a vote to “repeal basic rights of members of the trans community, their parents and doctors.”

She added: “Hate has no shame in this state.”

“Dangerous” and “unconstitutional” bill

The Trevor Project condemned the bill, calling it “appalling” and “dangerous”.

Director of state propaganda campaigns Troy Stevenson said: “It’s appalling to see Kentucky lawmakers working so hastily on dangerous legislation that will only put young LGBTQ+ Kentuckians at risk.

“Last year, almost half of LGBTQ+ youth in Kentucky had seriously considered suicide – alarmingly, nearly one in four transgender and non-binary youth in the state had attempted suicide.

“Our leaders push political issues and sidestep real issues like addressing the youth mental health crisis,” he continued. “The Kentucky Legislature should not interfere with important decisions best left to parents and doctors by enacting a blanket ban on better health care.

“We call on the governor to reject this harmful law and send a message to young LGBTQ+ Kentuckians watching this debate that they belong in this state.”

In the statementThe ACLU of Kentucky called the bill “unconstitutional” and vowed to sue if it becomes law, while calling it the “worst anti-transgender bill in the country” on Twitter.

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) urged Kentucky’s governor to veto it and warned that SB 150 would “terrorize transgender youth in schools, in doctors’ offices” and could “put them at risk at home.”

The bill now goes to Gov. Andy Beshear’s desk to be signed or vetoed within 10 days.

Beshear is expected to veto the bill, but then the veto will likely be overridden when the Republican-majority Legislature returns for the final two days of the session (March 29 and 30).

It comes as part of a wave of homophobic and transphobic legislation spanning the US this year. According to the HRC, more than 410 anti-LGBTQ+ bills – about 180 of them specifically targeting the trans community – were introduced in state institutions across the country during the first few months of 2023.

Suicide is preventable. Readers affected by the issues raised in this story are advised to contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), or remember to call 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255.