Currently in Texas, a law protecting minors from undergoing life-altering and deadly surgeries has faced serious controversy, triggering debates across the state. Senate Bill 14 (SB 14), which is now in effect, has sparked discussions among Texans about whether to honor transgender rights or to prevent minors from receiving gender-affirming surgeries in the interest of their safety. As SB 14 takes effect, many Americans are now questioning whether this law infringes on teens’ rights on bodily autonomy.
The law itself, despite speculation, doesn’t necessarily ban transgender surgeries. Instead, it prohibits procedures and treatments that are correlated to gender transitioning for minors, due to concerns about the negative health effects. According to the Texas Legislature, the case passed through the Senate with an 8-3 vote. Although this may seem like an attack on transgender people, many supporters believe it is to protect minors from irreversible surgeries. These medical procedures have been cited to lead to infertility and bone density loss according to The Texas Tribute.
Critics argue that restricting young people from getting operations actually escalates gender dysmorphia and depression and takes away human rights. Many, if not all transgender people, face gender dysmorphia, and a law prohibiting medical procedures which can accommodate their transition can lead to decreasing mental health for the transgender population. They speculate that the surgery is essential, especially to help with the transitioning individuals’ new identity.
Texas’s law is the most severe out of the 25 states with similar restrictions.
Amongst the recent debate over transgender rights, I spoke to a transgender teenager to understand the impact of the bill. They prefer to stay anonymous due to the divide surrounding the topic, and will be referred to by the initials A.P.
When asked if A.P. has taken hormone blockers or done surgery, they said they have not.
“I did not feel the need to get any surgeries or take hormone blockers, considering that I already see myself as nonbinary instead of women, so I didn’t have as much as a struggle with gender dysmorphia. I’ve always been told I had a deeper voice naturally so I didn’t see the necessity of it and considering my decision to come out only occurred a little over 2 years ago I wasn’t sure whether or not I would have another gender realization.”
Because A.P. has not received surgery or hormone blockers, it is important to note that this is simply one experience, not representative of a whole population. The bill, however, affects A.P. and their community greatly.
“I know friends and classmates who had to go therapy for [gender dysmorphia] and even in worse scenarios the psych ward,” they state. They told The Sunday Diplomat that while there is a need for regulating surgeries for minors, the bill is extreme.
Transgender teenagers like A.P. are affected greatly by SB 14, and the debate surrounding the law shows that bodily autonomy is a large concern.
Written by Caroline Zera
