The Kansas Legislature recently passed a bill that would forbid gender-affirming care including transition surgery and puberty blockers from being administered to anyone under 18.

Supporters of the legislation say that it’s wrong for minors to transition before their brains are fully developed and could lead to a risk of developmental problems and medical intervention. They’ve also equated such treatments to child abuse.   

However, those who oppose the bill say it’s actually the bill itself that is harmful because it can lead to mental health and health issues for trans gender youth.  

“Because what we have had in the past is a lot of people that were designated a gender and that was not their personality at all and that leads to mental health issues,” Buff Pride Sponsor Teralyn Cohn said. “It will interfere with the kids’ health care and mental care.” 

Governor Laura Kelly recently vetoed the bill and the House failed to override that veto by a single vote, making it likely the bill could come up again in the future. Supporters of trans rights know that the fight for trans rights is not over. 

“I hope they will be a lot more vocal. I hope more people will come to us hopefully but so much more vocal,” Buff Pride Vice President Alaira Watson said. 

“Why are you guys so afraid, especially of trans gender females? I don’t understand I don’t get it at all,” Cohn said.

We reached out to representative Blake Carpenter, a supporter of the bill who represents most of the Southeast boundary area, but we were unable to schedule an interview before our deadline.