Gov. Cox [Utah] signs high-profile bill on transgender surgeries

Source: KSL.com (KSL Broadcasting Salt Lake City, Utah)

Cox gave his approval to SB16, a bill banning transgender surgeries for Utah children and teens. SB216 also places an indefinite moratorium on treatments including puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Mike Kennedy, R-Alpine, a practicing family physician, and passed by the Utah Legislature on a final 20-8 vote by the Senate.

"Legislation that impacts our most vulnerable youth requires careful consideration and deliberation," Cox said in a statement about SB216. "While not a perfect bill, we are grateful for Sen. Kennedy's more nuanced and thoughtful approach to this terribly divisive issue. More and more experts, states and countries around the world are pausing these permanent and life-altering treatments for new patients until more and better research can help determine the long-term consequences.

"We will continue to push the Legislature for additional resources to organizations that work to help this important Utah community. While we understand our words will be of little comfort to those who disagree with us, we sincerely hope that we can treat our transgender families with more love and respect as we work to better understand the science and consequences behind these procedures."

Read more: https://www.ksl.com/article/50567331/gov-cox-signs-high-profile-bills-on-transgender-surgeries-school-choice-vouchers

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Gov. Spencer Cox last year, when he vetoed a Republican bill barring transgender students from girls' sports in Utah:

In an emotional letter about his veto, Cox cited research about the high risk of suicide among trans youths and additional research that has found that acceptance reduces the risk of suicide.

"I don't understand what they are going through or why they feel the way they do. But I want them to live," he wrote. "And all the research shows that even a little acceptance and connection can reduce suicidality significantly."
https://www.aol.com/news/utah-poised-first-state-pass-143333616.html

Gov. Spencer Cox in 2023:

The governor's approval of the bill was anticipated after he said last week that the bill banning trans teen health care was a "very reasonable approach." (from today's KSL.com article)

It should be noted that puberty blockers (which only pause puberty while administered) have been prescribed for trans teens since 1982 and continually studied since. The treatment normally involves a team consisting of the teen, their parents if they are a minor, their pediatrician, a pediatric endocrinologist and a psychologist/therapist. Along with regular check-ins, blood work and bone density tests, they are part of a medically managed puberty, not something that is done on a whim. There are hundreds of studies showing that for teens who need them, blockers and later, hormone replacement therapy, are safe and effective and greatly reduce suicides and increase quality of life for the rest of their life.

"What the Science on Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Kids Really Shows
Laws that ban gender-affirming treatment ignore the wealth of research demonstrating its benefits for trans people's health"
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-the-science-on-gender-affirming-care-for-transgender-kids-really-shows/

The latest study results, as of this week:
"Mental health benefits of gender-affirming hormones for teens persist for two years in new study" (the study lasted two years)
https://www.statnews.com/2023/01/18/mental-health-benefits-of-gender-affirming-hormones-for-teens-persist-two-years/

Medical association statements supporting trans health care, including blockers & hrt when applicable, for teens:
https://transhealthproject.org/resources/medical-organization-statements/