Louisiana House passes ban on gender affirming healthcare for minors 

The Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill Tuesday that would ban gender affirming healthcare for transgender youth. 

House Bill 463, by Rep. Gabe Firment, R-Pollock, passed on a 71-24 vote. Rep. Joe Stagni, R-Kenner opposed the bill, while several Democratic lawmakers supported it. 

The bill was passed with enough votes to withstand a potential veto. Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, has not said whether he will reject the bill if it ends up on his desk, but he has mentioned the recent onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation would have a negative impact on the already high suicide rate for transgender Louisianians.

When presenting his proposal, Firment pointed out several surrounding states have passed similar bans, arguing that Louisiana needed to do the same or else become a “destination for these type of procedures across the entire South.” 

Other gender-affirming healthcare bans have been the subject of federal lawsuits. Similar restrictions in Alabama and Arkansas are currently blocked from taking effect pending a court judgment. 

Speaking to colleagues on the floor, Firment shared several pieces of misleading or incorrect information, claiming the treatments are experimental and that minors in Louisiana are being sterilized. 

“Why are we aggressively treating a social contagion with experimental treatments?” Firment asked. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics supports gender-affirming healthcare, and the American Medical Association does not consider it experimental. Minors also rarely undergo surgical procedures, including top surgery, which adds or removes breast tissue, or bottom surgery, which constructs either a vagina or a penis. 

Firment’s claims received bipartisan pushback. 

“We want to talk about parental consent, but we want to talk about what other kids and their doctors do,” Stagni said, arguing the bill flies in the face of parental rights. 

Rep. Joe Marino, I-Gretna, also took to the floor to give a speech in opposition to the ban. 

“If this is really about protecting kids, why are we ignoring lots of things that protect kids?” Marino asked. “Gender-affirming care for transgender kids reduces depression, reduces suicide and other devastating consequences.”

Studies indicate approximately 80% of transgender youth have considered suicide, and 40% report at least one suicide attempt. Research also indicates gender-affirming healthcare leads to improved mental health outcomes.  

Rep. Candace Newell, D-New Orleans, argued the bill is unconstitutional because it specifically targets transgender minors. The ban has exceptions for puberty blockers and gender-affirming treatments for cisgender youth. 

The bill will next be heard in a Senate committee. 

Firment’s proposal is the third piece of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation to clear the House. 

House Bill 81, by Rep. Raymond Crews, R-Bossier City, would forbid teachers and other school employees from using transgender minors’ chosen names and pronouns. The bill was advanced from the House last week. 

Another proposal, House Bill 466, by Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, was also advanced from the House last week.