State sees surge in anti-LGBTQ+ bills

EMILY O’REILLY thedmnews@gmail.com

Of the bills being introduced, HB 1125 is the closest to being passed. Also known as the “Regulate Experimental Adolescent Procedures Act’’ (REAP), HB 1125 is a civil ban on gender-affirming care for people under the age of 18.

In his 2023 State of the State Address, Gov. Tate Reeves said bills like these are designed to protect children.

“We don’t let 11-year-olds enter an R-rated movie alone, yet some would have us believe that we should push permanent body-altering surgeries on them at such a young age,” Reeves said. “We must take every step to preserve the innocence of our children, especially against the cruel forces of modern progressivism which seek to use them as guinea pigs in