South Dakota is the tip of the anti-transgender iceberg that is
resurfacing after suffering a string of defeats across the country
for their “bathroom bills.” Conservative activists are once again
targeting doctors in an attempt to withhold healthcare from
those who need it. With echoes of anti-abortion legislation,
South Dakota Republicans attempted in February to criminalize doctors who assist transgender youth with their medical
transition needs.
After being passed by the State House, fortunately, the bill was
turned aside by the State Senate and it will not be dealt with
during this legislative session. However, similar bills are already
in process in Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Colorado
to restrict and punish medical professionals for assisting gender
reassignment medical treatment for minors. These are not going
away. With the current administration’s anti-LGBTQ attitude,
there will doubtlessly be more such legal challenges to overcome.