FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) — House Bill 470, which would ban gender-affirming care in Kentucky for anyone under the age of 18, passed out of committee Thursday on a 14-7 vote. The bill then went on to pass in the House on a 75-22 vote. It will now head to the Senate.
House Bill 470 gets passage in the Kentucky House on a 75-22 vote.
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) March 2, 2023
It now heads over to the Senate. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/WCcx1hughW
LGBTQ advocates showed up to the Kentucky State Capitol with signs reading "human rights = trans rights” and “protect our youth.”
People are protesting HB 470 - bill that would ban gender affirming care for anyone under age 18.
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) March 2, 2023
Opponents of the bill are calling it “the worst anti-LGBTQ bill in the nation.”
They worry this bill will have deadly consequences, if passed. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/MN6a4QmwFD
Opponents of HB 470 worry it will have deadly consequences if it becomes law. The concern is more trans kids will take their lives.
A look at some of the other signs people are holding: “human rights = trans rights” and “protect our youth.”@LEX18News pic.twitter.com/zpktWznW5o
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) March 2, 2023
Changes to the bill have been floating around but the committee jumped straight into comment without going over the changes.
There’s a long list of people speaking in opposition of the bill.
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) March 2, 2023
Doctors tell lawmakers that “gender affirming care” is healthcare.
Parents of trans kids say they fear for their kids if this bill becomes law.
Advocates say this effort will not erase trans people.@LEX18News
The bill's primary sponsor, Rep. Decker, says the bill seeks to protect Kentucky kids (under the age of 18) from "irreplaceable damage."
Rep. Decker says the bill focuses on hormone and surgical treatments for minors.
Luka Hein, who introduced herself as a “former trans kid" from Minnesota, spoke in support of HB 470.
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) March 2, 2023
She said her parents were bullied into getting her a double mastectomy and testosterone at 16.
She told KY lawmakers she needed mental help, not drugs & surgery.@LEX18News pic.twitter.com/DKXh4jFs7W
