New Hampshire Senate Advances Gender-Affirming Care Ban for Minors
Concord, NH – On Thursday, the New Hampshire Senate approved two contentious bills aimed at restricting gender-affirming care for transgender minors. The legislation prohibits doctors from administering puberty blockers or hormone treatments to those under 18 and forbids gender-affirming chest surgeries before the same age. However, an amendment allows patients already undergoing treatment to continue until January 1, 2026.
These measures reflect a growing focus on transgender issues by Republican lawmakers, who previously enacted legislation barring trans students from competing in girls’ sports and banning gender-affirming genital surgeries. Critics, including major medical organizations such as the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, argue that gender-affirming care is crucial for the mental health of transgender teens, enabling them to avoid the distress of an incongruent puberty.
Republican Senator Kevin Avard, a prominent supporter of the bills, insists that such treatments are inappropriate for minors, citing testimonies from individuals who regretted their gender-affirming care. “Leave the kids alone and let them develop!” Avard declared emphatically during the Senate debate.
Conversely, Democratic Senator Debra Altschiller warned that removing access to gender-affirming care could have dire mental health consequences for young people. She emphasized that denying them safe and evidence-based care would not erase their identities but could lead to devastating outcomes.
The bills have already passed the House but will require final approval following amendments made by the Senate before being sent to Governor Kelly Ayotte. Parents of transgender youth have expressed anxiety about the impact of the legislation on their families, questioning whether New Hampshire remains a safe and inclusive place for them.
As political debates continue, young individuals like 13-year-old Luke, who recently began hormone therapy, are left grappling with the uncertainty surrounding their care. “It’s not something that I should have to deal with,” he remarked, highlighting the stress of navigating politics at such a young age.
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