US States Pass Controversial Bills Limiting Transgender Health Care for Minors

Kentucky lawmakers passed a bill banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors, including puberty blockers and hormones, and inpatient and outpatient gender-affirming hospital services. The bill also allows teachers to refuse to refer to transgender students by their preferred pronouns and requires schools to notify parents when lessons related to human sexuality are going to be taught. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky warned that it stands ready to challenge the measure in court if it becomes law. The bill's supporters say they are trying to protect children from undertaking gender-affirming treatments that they might later regret as adults.