Missouri governor signs ban on gender transition of minors
Gabrielle M. Etzel
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Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a law on Wednesday banning gender-transitioning procedures for minors and for adults in the state correction system.
The Missouri Save Adolescents from Experimentation “SAFE” Act prohibits clinicians from performing gender transition surgeries on minors as well as prescribing cross-sex hormones or puberty blockers for the process of medically transitioning.
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“We support everyone’s right to his or her own pursuit of happiness; however, we must protect children from making life-altering decisions that they could come to regret in adulthood once they have physically and emotionally matured,” Parson tweeted.
“These decisions have permanent consequences for life and should not be made by impressionable children who may be in crisis or influenced by the political persuasions of others,” added Parson.
The legislation also stipulates that gender transition surgery, puberty blockers, or cross-sex hormones will not be provided by healthcare services in state prisons, jails, or correctional centers.
Parson also signed a bill that requires all schools to separate sports based upon the biological distinction of male and female, threatening to remove state financial support if individual institutions do not comply.
“In Missouri, we support real fairness, not injustice disguised as social righteousness,” he said.
The House Democrats sharply condemned Parson for signing both measures, saying that “the stain of this action will not wash away.”
“The governor had a chance to protect innocent families who are just trying to live their lives in peace. Instead, he chose to persecute them,” said House Minority Leader Crystal Quade on Twitter.
The LGBTQ Commission of Kansas City, which is a part of the city council established in 2020, called on the Department of Justice “to step in now” regarding both measures.
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Similar anti-gender-transition legislation in Florida has been blocked by a federal judge on constitutional grounds. The legislation was enacted by Gov. Ron DeSantis in mid-May.
On Tuesday evening, the Republican supermajority in Louisiana sent its own ban on the medical transition of minors to the desk of Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat.