Utah becomes first state to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth in 2023

Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed a bill Saturday that bans hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgery for transgender youth, making Utah the first state in 2023 to ban such care.

Senate Bill 16 provides new restrictions on trans youth seeking medical care in Utah, specifically banning "hormonal transgender treatment to new patients who were not diagnosed with gender dysphoria" before the bill went into effect, and "sex characteristic surgical procedures on a minor for the purpose of effectuating a sex change."

SB16 also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct "a systematic review of the medical evidence regarding hormonal transgender treatments," and subsequently, to "provide recommendations to the Legislature."

Cox said in a statement that the bill is not "perfect," but ultimately wrote in its defense, "More and more experts, states and countries around the world are pausing these permanent and life-altering treatments for new patients until more and better research can help determine the long-term consequences."

"While we understand our words will be of little comfort to those who disagree with us, we sincerely hope that we can treat our transgender families with more love and respect as we work to better understand the science and consequences behind these procedures," Cox added.

The Utah chapter of the ACLU was quick to condemn the bill on Twitter, writing, "Trans kids are kids — they deserve to grow up without constant political attacks on their lives and health care."

"We will defend that right," the organization added. "We see you. We Support You."

Cox had not publicly signaled support or disapproval for the bill until signing it this weekend. The governor previously made headlines in 2022 for vetoing a bill that would bar trans athletes from playing girls' sports, citing suicide statistics.

"Rarely has so much fear and anger been directed at so few," wrote Cox in a letter to the state's legislative leaders at the time.

"I don't understand what they are going through or why they feel the way they do. But I want them to live," he added.