Tennessee Senate Passes Ban On “Gender Affirming” Treatments For Minors

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –

On Monday the Tennessee Senate passed Sen. Jack Johnson’s (R-Franklin-District 27) Senate Bill 0001 (SB0001) by a vote of 26-6.

An amendment was adopted to clarify “that hormones and puberty blockers can still be provided by doctors to patients if they’re otherwise not prohibited by the bill.” The amendment also deleted some of the language in Section 2 and clarified that the bill is prospective and only applies to actions occurring on or after July 1^st, 2023.

Sen. Johnson opened discussion by sharing the testimony of a woman who went through “gender affirming” treatment in North Carolina when she was a minor. She now regrets that she gave up her womanhood before she even experienced it.

“These procedures […] provide no reliable evidence of any long-term benefit and there is strong evidence of the severe risks, including permanent sterilization, total loss of adult sexual function, bone loss, depression, [etc.]” Sen. Johnson said.

“Health authorities in countries such as Sweden, Finland, Japan, and the United Kingdom,” Johnson said, “have all restricted provision of these medical procedures to minors.”

Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville-District 21) stood against SB0001 saying “We’re supposed to regulate conduct, that’s usually what we do. […] but this isn’t regulating people’s conduct, it’s regulating what they believe and what they believe about the most personal thing in the world.”

Despite similar legislation being considered in multiple states right now, Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis-District 29) maintained that “with this legislation we are putting forth a preemptive ban, unlike any other really, besides of course a woman’s right to choose.”

In reference to “gender affirming” care for minors, Sen. Page Walley said “no matter which side of the sociopolitical spectrum we may be on, we’re endangering them [minors]. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics says that. […] I don’t think that’s what anyone in this body wants to do.”

“Let’s do our job and protect those most vulnerable young Tennesseans.” Was Sen. Johnson’s closing statement before the body voted in favor of SB0001. 

Democrat Senators Akbari, Campbell, Kyle, Lamar, Oliver, and Yarbro held the six nay votes.

Corresponding House Bill, HB0001, has not made it to the House floor yet, but has been assigned to the House Civil Justice Committee and placed on their calendar for consideration this afternoon, February 15^th, 2023.

If you wish to express support for this legislation, contact information for the Representatives on the committee can be found below.

Rep. Andrew Farmer (R) – Chair – rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4419

Rep. Darren Jernigan (D) – Vice Chair – rep.darren.jernigan@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6959

Rep. Bill Beck (D) – rep.bill.beck@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3229

Rep.  Rush Bricken (R) – rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7448

Rep. Gino Bulso (R) – rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6808

Rep. Kip Capley (R) – rep.kip.capley@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2190

Rep. Rick Eldridge (R) – rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6877

Rep.  Ron Gant (R) – rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6890

Rep. Johnny Garrett (R) – rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3893

Rep. Rusty Grills (R) – rep.rusty.grills@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-0718

Rep. Torrey Harris (D) – rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2239

Rep. William Lamberth (R) – Bill Sponsor – rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1980

Rep. Mary Littleton (R) – rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7477

Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D) – rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4575

Rep. Jason Powell (D) – rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6861

Rep. Lowell Russell (R) – rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3736

Rep. Robert Stevens (R) – rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3830

Rep. Chris Todd (R) – rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7475

About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee.