PPAU and ACLU are attempting to get a judge to grant a preliminary injunction against a new Utah law, banning abortions in clinics. (Annie Barker /Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Republican Party is supporting a resolution on banning gender-affirming medical transitions for transgender children.
Party Chair Carson Jorgensen said the resolution is about protecting Utah’s kids.
“This is not a partisan thing for me and it shouldn’t be a partisan thing,” Jorgensen said. “This is about the kids. And this is about protecting their futures and protecting their lives, really.”
The full resolution reads: “The Utah Republican Party fully supports the banning of affirmation surgeries, hormone therapy, and puberty-blocking procedures for the purpose of elective gender transitioning on minors. We stand behind all of our elected officials in their efforts against these harmful and irreversible procedures being performed on Utah’s children.”
The party voted in support of the resolution on Saturday.
Both House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, and Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, are co-sponsors.
“As we prepare for the legislative session, we will explore possible solutions to protect children,” Wilson said in a statement to KSL NewsRadio. “I support this being one of the issues we address during the session.”
Equality Utah’s Transgender Advisory Council’s Sue Robbins said she disagrees with any legalized ban.
“These bills harm our youth just by existing because they feel under constant attack,” Robbins said. “I could tell you, I know of families that have moved out of Utah because they don’t feel like they have a safe environment for their transgender youth to grow up in.”
Robbins expects a lawsuit if Utah passes a bill like the resolution is calling for. Jorgensen said it would still be worth it, even if there was a lawsuit.
“This is a fight we’re willing to have, and this fight is worth it in my opinion,” Jorgensen said.
Gov. Spencer Cox tells KSL NewsRadio this is something he’d have to see actual bill text before making a decision on.
“Certainly this is something that’s been in discussion for a long time,” Cox said. “There’s a lot of new data out there showing that these types of surgeries and drugs can be very problematic to our youth. And we certainly want to protect our youth.”
Proposals to keep doctors from performing gender reassignment treatments on minors have stalled in past years at the Utah legislature.
KSL NewsRadio’s Lindsay Aerts contributed to this story.