by Laurel Duggan
Michigan legislators are considering a bill that would classify gender transitions for minors as first-degree child abuse.
The bill, introduced Tuesday, would classify knowingly consenting to or assisting in a gender transition procedure for a minor as first-degree child abuse punishable by life in prison. Several Republican-led states have pushed to restrict transgender-related procedures for children, which can include therapy reinforcing a minor’s transgender identity, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries.
“The idea that we would be making potentially life-altering changes to 11-, 12-, 13-, 14-, 15-year-old kids when it is illegal for them to have sex is insane. I mean, they’re not ‘responsible enough’ to smoke a cigarette until they’re 21.”https://t.co/xRyW5H0EQ1
— Beau M. LaFave (@BeauMattLaFave) October 13, 2022
Republican Michigan Reps. Ryan Berman, Steve Carra, Luke Meerman and Beau LaFave introduced the legislation. The move is likely to face opposition in Michigan: The state Legislature is controlled by Republicans, but the governor is a Democrat.
“People are abusing these children,” LaFave told The Hill. “I mean, they’re not responsible enough to smoke a cigarette until they’re 21.”
Childhood gender transitions have become a white-hot political issue over the past year as reporters and activists have drawn attention to medical facilities offering puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries to children with gender identity issues. Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis led an administration effort to restrict childhood gender transitions throughout the state, while Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and Arizona have passed laws restricting the procedures.
Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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Laurel Duggan is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation.
