South Dakota governor signs health care ban for trans youth

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signed a bill Monday that would ban gender-affirming care for transgender people under the age of 18.

The bill, strongly supported by the Republican governor, would ban the prescription of puberty blockers, sex-changing hormones and gender-affirming surgery to minors.

South Dakota was among more than two dozen conservative states to consider such measures this year.

Opponents of this project, including health workers, lawyers and transgender youth, believe that such bans help young people psychologically and reduce the risk of suicide among minors. They also argued that it was government overreach in health care decisions and a violation of patients’ civil rights.

Supporters of the bill said it would protect young people from making medical decisions that could affect them for the rest of their lives.

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