Tennessee Bill Would Restrict Children’s Access to Permanent Gender Alteration Medical Procedures

A Tennessee bill proposes to restrict children’s access to hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and other medical procedures that would allow for an alteration to their gender.

House Bill 2835, or the Youth Protection Act, would specifically prohibit a child that has not reached puberty from getting hormone therapy or other gender alterations, such as surgeries, even if parents approve. If they have reached puberty but are still a minor, they must get parental consent.

“We have age restrictions on our youth for a number of different reasons that are there to protect them,” Tennessee state Rep. John Ragan, a Republican, told The Epoch Times. “These protections are multifaceted and across the board.”

The bill makes it illegal to perform procedures that would “facilitate the minor’s desire to present or appear in a manner that is inconsistent with the minor’s sex.”.

“Scientifically, at a cellular level, one is either male or female,” Ragan said. “There’s no denying that, aside from some genetic malfunctions. But what some have decided is that what’s between their ears should conquer reality. The reality is that’s not true. One can identify as a bird, but when they step off the top floor of a building, they aren’t going to fly. The laws of physics will operate on them regardless of what they think.”Once someone is above 18 years of age, that person can choose whether to accept reality or not, but while a child is growing and exploring different ways of existing in the world, committing to making a permanent medical alteration “is not the smartest thing to do,” Ragan said… (Excerpt from the Epoch Times)