MONTANA REP PLEADS WITH TRANS YOUTH TO ‘STAY ALIVE’

John McDonald

Trans youth are increasingly left with little health care options as more and more states ban gender-affirming care.

Data released on March 22 by the Human Rights Campaign indicates 50.4% of trans youth (ages 13 to 17) have lost or are at risk of losing access to age appropriate, medically necessary gender-affirming care in their state. Labeling trans treatments as child abuse, Republicans have introduced bills across the country that outlaw the practice and in some cases making it a felony for doctors to prescribe puberty blockers or hormones.

“If you are trans, particularly if you are targeted by legislation like this, I have one request for you — please stay alive,” Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr pleaded from the House floor last week.

Zephyr, a trans woman, acknowledged the pain caused by debating the issue and offered lifelines to those struggling with their identities.

“Stay alive, lean on your community in these times, if you are in crisis call 988 or go to the Trevor Project for support, we will be there for one another through this and ultimately we will win this fight in the end,” she said.

Eleven states — Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Utah — have passed bans on gender-affirming care for trans youth. Oklahoma is considering a ban up to the age of 26.

Florida’s ban took effect March 16.

“It’s sad that we have to say this, but our children are not guinea pigs for science experimentation,” Gov. Ron DeSantis declared in his State of the State speech.