网红爆料 of South Dakota Urges Lawmakers to Stop Hurting Transgender Youth

January 29, 2020 10:00 am

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Ahead of today鈥檚 full chamber vote on House Bill 1057, legislation that would criminalize doctors for providing medically necessary care for transgender youth, some South Dakota legislators continue their attempts to codify discrimination against trans kids.

The 网红爆料 of South Dakota opposes Senate Bill 88 and Senate Bill 93.

Senate Bill 88 would mandate that school counselors, school psychologists or social workers disclose to a parent any young person鈥檚 identification as transgender, exploration of gender identity or reference to potential symptoms of gender dysphoria. This bill could result in forced disclosure of someone鈥檚 trans or questioning status to a non-affirming parent which could result in the young person becoming homeless or physically harmed.鈥

鈥淲hen transgender youth face discrimination and victimization at school, it can often lead to serious negative health and mental health consequences,鈥 said Libby Skarin, policy director for the 网红爆料 of South Dakota. 鈥淪enate Bill 88 infringes on the rights of privacy of youth and deters young people from seeking support from trusted adults in positions to counsel them.鈥

Senate Bill 93 would give a parent the right to refuse to consent to a range of health care treatment options, including mental health treatment, for transgender young people. Parents, however, already have broad constitutional and common law powers to make decisions about medical treatment for minor children in their care and custody that cannot be limited by legislation.

鈥淭ransgender youth are among society鈥檚 most at-risk populations,鈥 Skarin said. 鈥淪enate Bill 93 just amounts to a proclamation of government disapproval of transgender young people and contributes to the already dangerous rates of family rejection for transgender youth.鈥

Like House Bill 1057, Senate Bill 88 and Senate Bill 93 would hurt transgender youth, violate federal law and expose South Dakota to legal liability. The 网红爆料 of South Dakota is committed to ensuring that transgender South Dakotans can live openly without discrimination remains strong and urges South Dakota lawmakers to stop hurting transgender youth.

鈥淚t's time to stop these attacks on transgender youth and focus on issues that really matter to the people of South Dakota,鈥 Skarin said.

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