A bill in Michigan has been submitted (HB 6454) which proposes to redefine “child abuse” to include gender-affirming procedures.
Republican legislators in Michigan have (October 12) introduced House Bill 6454 (HB6454) in the House of Representatives, which would define providing gender-affirming care to trans teens – including puberty-blocking drugs and HRT – as ‘child abuse in the first degree’.
If passed, the bill would make it illegal for parents and guardians to provide gender-affirming care – widely recognized as medically necessary and lifesaving for trans youth – punishable by up to life in prison.
Horrifying. HB6454 has been introduced in the state of Michigan.
It defines getting gender affirming care for your trans teen as child abuse in the first degree.
It proposes lifetime imprisonment for parents of trans youth.
It mandates medical detransition for trans teens. pic.twitter.com/ve173Nn6bP
— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) October 12, 2022
Local advocacy groups have slammed the bill, calling it “dangerous” and urging residents to speak out about the “negative impacts on the health and wellbeing for transgender youth” in the state.
“Gender affirming care is medically necessary and life-saving care for transgender youth. Medical decisions belong to trans youth, their parents, and their doctors”, said Erin Knott, Executive Director of Equality Michigan.
“Unfortunately, the Michigan House of Representatives are trying to come between youth and the care they need. House Bill 6454 is a reckless bill that, if passed, will have dangerous effects on transgender youth,”
Michigan Republicans have introduced HB6454 which classifies gender affirming care for trans teens as “1st degree child abuse” with a punishment equal to life in prison for supportive parents of trans youth and mandates their detransition. pic.twitter.com/kLoXIYJ8jW
— Rainbow Youth Project USA (@RainbowYouthUSA) October 12, 2022
URGENT ACTION ALERT: MI legislators just introduced HB 6454. If passed, this bill would make it illegal for parents/guardians to provide gender-affirming care, punishable by up to life in prison.
Gender affirming care is medically necessary, life-saving care for trans youth. pic.twitter.com/0C61gnYUk6— Equality Michigan Action Network (@ActionEqmi) October 12, 2022