This blog originally appeared at Human Rights Campaign.
Gov. Evers Makes Good on Promise to Stand With LGBTQ+ Youth, Fight for Equality
MADISON, WI — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, commended Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers for vetoing AB465, legislation perceived as anti-LGBTQ+ and designed to limit healthcare options for transgender youth. Governor Evers’ veto aligns with his public pledge to uphold equality in the state and shield LGBTQ+ young individuals from discriminatory far-right policies.
Wendy Strout, HRC’s Wisconsin State Director, issued the subsequent statement:
“We appreciate Governor Evers, a crucial ally in Wisconsin’s equality struggle, for vetoing this divisive bill. It’s not a politician’s role to dictate medical decisions for constituents. That choice is exclusively between providers and families—end of story.”
In October, Governor Evers reaffirmed his support for LGBTQ+ youth on social media:
“I want LGBTQ folks, including our trans kids, to know they are welcome, wanted, and belong here in Wisconsin, and I will keep fighting every day to continue our work to build a state where they feel safe, supported, and loved being exactly who they are.”
AB465 would have compelled state medical boards to revoke the medical licenses of healthcare professionals offering life-saving, medically necessary healthcare to transgender youth. Despite transgender youth constituting a small percentage of the youth population, the care they receive is rooted in decades of clinical research and is endorsed by every major medical association in the US, representing over 1.3 million doctors.
Governor Evers’ rejection of the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is the most recent instance of pro-equality leaders acting to safeguard LGBTQ+ individuals. In neighboring Michigan, the pro-equality majority in the state legislature extended current civil rights laws to ensure nondiscrimination protections for the LGBTQ+ community, signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Similarly, in Arizona, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed several anti-LGBTQ+ bills, including one targeting transgender individuals, pledging to veto any legislation aiming to harm children.
Non-medical politicians are overstepping by intruding on the rights of parents of transgender youth. No parent should face a situation where their chosen course of action, backed by their doctor and supported by the majority of medical experts, is forbidden by the government. This interference occurs when politicians attempt to prohibit best-practice healthcare.
THE FACTS: Gender-Affirming Care
Every reputable medical organization, representing over 1.3 million doctors in the United States, advocates for age-appropriate gender-affirming care for transgender and non-binary individuals.“Transition-related” or “gender-affirming” care varies for each transgender and non-binary individual. Decisions are collaboratively made by parents, their children, and doctors. No medical interventions with permanent consequences occur until a transgender person is old enough to provide fully informed consent.
This is the reason why majorities of Americans are against criminalizing or prohibiting gender-affirming care.Recent national surveys reveal that majorities of Americans, totaling 54% in the NPR/Marist survey conducted on 3/20-23, 2023, and 53% in the Grinnell College National Survey conducted on 3/14-19, 2023, oppose “criminalizing” or “banning” gender transition-related medical care for minors. The opposition is primarily driven by Democrats and Independents, indicating that support for such bans could pose risks in a general election context.
Gender transition is a personal journey encompassing changes such as wardrobe, names, and hairstyles to align with an individual’s gender identity. Individuals have the autonomy to decide whether to use medications or undergo surgeries as part of their gender transition. The process is a personal choice made in consultation with family and healthcare professionals. Therapists, parents, and healthcare providers collaborate to determine the most appropriate changes for a child’s well-being. For many young children, gender-affirming care is primarily social in nature.
- New name
- New hairstyle
- New clothing
- None of this care is irreversible.
Transgender identity is not a recent phenomenon. While the media may portray transgender issues more prominently nowadays, being transgender is not a recent development. Transgender individuals have always existed, and their experiences persist irrespective of legislative measures. It’s important to note that the vast majority of transgender individuals remain consistent in their identity over time.
All forms of gender-affirming care are tailored to the individual’s age, deemed medically necessary, endorsed by major medical associations, and determined collaboratively with medical, mental health experts, and parents. In numerous instances, this care proves to be life-saving. Recent research from the Trevor Project offers compelling data — transgender youth with access to gender-affirming hormone therapy experience reduced rates of depression and a lower risk of suicide.
For additional information, kindly visit hrc.org/transgender, along with these additional resources:
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