Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) signed two bills Thursday, one that prohibits minors from receiving puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and transgender surgeries, and another that outlaws drag shows in public spaces and restricts them to age-appropriate venues.
MASSIVE NEWS: Governor @BillLeeTN just signed into law the 2 bills we’ve fought so hard for. Taking kids to drag shows, giving them sex change surgeries, hormones and puberty blockers are all illegal now. Great work @SenJohnson @WilliamLamberth @LandonStarbuck @MattWalshBlog! pic.twitter.com/y5S67tqucS
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) March 2, 2023
The legislation barring minors from transgender medical interventions prohibits the administration of hormone drugs, such as puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, and surgeries – such as elective double mastectomies – for the purpose of treating gender dysphoria.
“Gender dysphoria is a mental health condition that should be treated with love and understanding, therapy, and other appropriate interventions – just as we treat other mental health disorders,” Tennessee State Representative William Lamberth (R-Hendersonville) told the Daily Caller News Foundation as the measure passed through the State House.
“Under no circumstance should we ever allow a child to undergo a procedure that destroys their normal, healthy development,” Lamberth added. “I appreciate the wisdom of the committee members who recognize that this legislation protects minors from the negative consequences of adult decisions they aren’t ready for.”
Children currently taking hormone drugs to treat gender dysphoria will have until March 31, 2024, to taper off the medications.
Lee also signed a bill that creates “an offense for a person who engages in an adult cabaret performance on public property or in a location where the adult cabaret performance could be viewed by a person who is not an adult.”
The bill, according to its summary, defines an “adult cabaret performance” as “a performance in a location other than an adult cabaret that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest, or similar entertainers, regardless of whether or not performed for consideration.”
The Tennessee chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) vowed to challenge “enforcement of this law if it is used to punish a drag performer or shut down a family-friendly LGBTQ event.”
We will challenge enforcement of this law if it is used to punish a drag performer or shut down a family-friendly LGBTQ event.
Any performers, event organizers or business owners being negatively affected by this anti-drag law should contact us at: https://t.co/01cZiVVHfd.
— ACLU of Tennessee (@aclutn) March 2, 2023
“We are disappointed that Governor Lee chose to sign a bill that politicians intended to censor drag performances,” Stella Yarbrough, ACLU of Tennessee legal director, also said in a statement.
“However, I want to be abundantly clear: the law that was just signed does not make it illegal to perform in drag in Tennessee,” Yarbrough added. “The law bans obscene performances, and drag performances are not inherently obscene.”
The ACLU also condemned the new law banning transgender medical procedures and drugs for minors.
Any person at risk of being affected by these restrictions on gender-affirming care should reach out to https://t.co/79KIQtz5zD or https://t.co/zp5TRXGsU3.
— ACLU of Tennessee (@aclutn) March 2, 2023
The ACLU in Tennessee and Lambda Legal said in a joint statement they “will not allow this dangerous law to stand.”
“Certain politicians and Governor Lee have made no secret of their intent to discriminate against youth who are transgender or their willful ignorance about the life-saving health care they seek to ban,” the groups stated. “Instead, they’ve chosen fearmongering, misrepresentations, intimidation and extremist politics over the rights of families and the lives of transgender youth in Tennessee.”
However, in a Project Veritas investigative report released in October, a “gender-affirming” doctor associated with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health’s (WPATH) Global Education Institute expressed concern that minors actually do not have the capacity to comprehend the ramifications of life-altering gender transition procedures.
“Some of the Dutch researchers started – gave some data about young adults who had transitioned and have reproductive regret – like regret – and it’s there,” British Columbia Children’s Hospital pediatric endocrinologist Daniel Metzger, M.D. told his viewers during a video conference. “And I don’t think any of that surprises us.”
Metzger said 14-year-olds do not comprehend the long-term consequences of transgender treatments, particularly when it comes to sterility and future regrets about no longer being able to have children.
“It’s always a good theory to talk about fertility preservation with a 14-year-old, but I know I’m talking to a blank wall, and the same would happen for a cisgender kid right? They’ll be like, ‘Ewww – kids, babies. Gross,’” he explained. “Or, the usual stock answer is, ‘I’m going to adopt, just gonna adopt.’ And then you ask them, ‘Well, what does that involve? Like, how much does that cost? Oh, I thought you just like went to the orphanage and they gave you a baby. No, it’s not quite like that.’”
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Susan Berry, PhD, is national education editor at The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Bill Lee” by Bill Lee.
The destruction of childhood does not benefit mankind. The ACLU Should reconsider its position. Attempting to assign a right or individual civil liberty to the detriment of our children is beyond the pale.
good. all sensible actions given the insanity of the libs pushing this stuff on children
stop the groomers!
I am very thankful that Governor Lee has put a stop to some of the contemporary gender confusion insanity that has seriously threaten our state’s children both morally and physically. Thank you, Governor Lee!