On Sunday, May 8th, the Alabama Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act went into effect, prohibiting doctors in Alabama from administering puberty blockers, hormone treatments, and gender reassignment surgery to minors. Violations of this law are punishable by up to 10 years in prison. In addition, the law also requires teachers, counselors, and other school administration to inform parents whose children are questioning their gender identity.
The Alabama Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act states that gender dysphoria, or the sense that one’s assigned sex does not match their internal gender identity, is “not permanent or fixed,” and that “a substantial majority of children who experience [gender dysphoria] will outgrow the discordance once they go through puberty and will eventually have an identity that aligns with their sex.” However, a survey of over 3,000 people who had undergone gender reassignment treatment at an NHS Gender Identity Service refutes this, as less than 1% of those who were surveyed experienced regret about their decision.
The law, sponsored by Senator Shay Shelnutt, passed through the Alabama Senate by a vote of 24-6 and was signed into law by Conservative Governor Kay Ivey.
This decision received backlash, specifically from parents of transgender youth and LGBTQ+ activist groups, who argue that the bill will lead to an increase in mental health issues among trans youth, who already experience the highest rates of depression and suicide of any group. 86% of transgender youth have contemplated suicide, and 56% have attempted to take their own lives.
A group of parents and activists filed a lawsuit to block the act. Recently, a federal judge prevented the state from enforcing the medication ban until the court case is resolved. Judge Liles Burke stated that lawmakers had no substantial evidence to support their claim that these treatments are “experimental” or haven’t been researched. The sections of the law that ban gender reassignment surgeries and require a child’s gender identity to be disclosed to their parents are still in effect.
Published July 8, 2022
Written by Lily Wright ~ Edited by Sasha Thomas ~ Graphics created by Fiona Xu
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