SCOTUS signals states can decide gender affirming care bans, Wisconsin GOP lawmakers prepared to act

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Republican lawmakers are planning to reintroduce legislation that would ban minors from seeking gender affirming care after the U.S. Supreme Court signaling the issue should be left to legislatures to decide.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court hinted they may uphold a Tennessee law that prohibits gender-transition medical care for children.

Some justices appeared skeptical of the lawsuit that seeks to overturn the law that prevents doctors from providing hormone therapy or puberty blockers for individuals under the age of 18.

Chief Justice John Roberts suggested the issue should be debated in state legislatures, not the courts.

In wake of the hearing, State Rep. Scott Allen (R-Waukesha) said he plans to reintroduce his bill that would place restrictions on gender affirming medical care for minors.

It’s one of several GOP bills targeting transgender people that lawmakers plan to propose next year despite Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ almost certain to veto them.

State Rep. Barb Dittrich (R-Oconomowoc) defended the measure and believes it will help prevent children from making decisions they may later regret.

"It's such a permanent decision to make," Dittrich said. "There are many things we don't allow minors to do that are really serious and I think this is one of them. It's concerning."

Dittrich said she will also reintroducing her bill next legislative session that would ban transgender youth from playing on women and girls' sports teams.

It comes as transgender issues played a key role in messaging this past election, primarily from Republicans.

Fair Wisconsin, an LGBTQ advocacy group, said they don't believe transgender issues are a "winning message" but instead a harmful one they keep planning to fight.

"I find it so disappointing that [these bills] keep coming back," said Abigail Swetz, executive director of Fair Wisconsin.

"Members of the community, specifically from the trans community have put themselves on the line to say this is medically accurate, life-affirming care, and yet still certain politicians continue to reintroduce the bill,"

Last year public hearings on both bills drew dozens of people to the Capitol to testify in opposition.