Arkansas is the first state in the nation to ban the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and elective cosmetic gender surgeries — the mutilation of sex organs — on gender dysphoric youth. A handful of other states, mostly across the Southern U.S., are considering similar legislation.
Arkansas lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected a veto from Gov. Asa Hutchinson over a bill that would ban experimental puberty blockers, hormonal drugs and the surgical mutilation of minors suffering from gender dysphoria.
The Arkansas House voted 75-25 and the Senate 25-8 on Tuesday, April 6, to override the veto on House Bill 1570, also known as the Save Adolescents From Experimentation Act.
Arkansas is the first state in the nation to ban the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and elective cosmetic gender surgeries — the mutilation of sex organs — on gender dysphoric youth. A handful of other states, mostly across the Southern U.S., are considering similar legislation.
Republican state Rep. Robin Lundstrum of Elm Springs spoke in support of the bill, stating that “medicine sometimes is wrong. We should never experiment on children. Ever.”
Speaking against the proposed legislation, Democratic state House Minority Leader Tippi McCullough of Little Rock said that transgender youth need care that affirms their identity.
“Put aside everything and to search your own heart and think about these parents and these children and their doctors,” stated McCullough, according to Arkansas Online.
Arkansas lawmakers only required a simple majority to override the governor’s veto. Barring successful legal action, the new law should take effect in the summer.
