Idaho is the 12th state to endorse a law restricting or outlawing gender-affirming care for minors. About two dozen more are taking into account bills that would disallow or restrict the care. On Tuesday evening the legislation was signed by a Republican, Idaho Gov. Brad Little.
It is an offense to provide hormones, other gender-affirming care, or puberty blockers to people under age 18. By next January the law is set to go into effect. Though the opponents of the legislation warned that it may increase the suicide rates of teens, proponents said that this action is necessary to protect children from surgical or medical treatments for gender dysphoria. In Idaho there is no clue of gender-affirming surgeries are done on transgender youth, the supporters acknowledged.
In the transmittal letter of the governor, it is written that “In signing this bill, to protect minors from surgeries or treatments our society plays a vital role that can damage their healthy bodies irreversibly. On the other hand, as policymakers, we must take great caution when we allow the government to interfere with the loving parents and the decisions of parents about what is the best for their child.”
Gender-affirming care for youths is supported by every major medical organization with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association.
Medical professionals have defined Gender dysphoria as ruthless psychological suffering on their sex assigned at birth that differs from their gender identity.