Among the most high-profile bills that Governor Edwards has vetoed is the ban on transgender medical procedures on children. Rep. Gabe Firment (R-Pollock) authored the bill. He says the legislation is not anti-transgender.
Rather, he says it’s about protecting children.
Rep. Firment adds that his constituents support it.
“In fact, most of the emails I’m getting are outside of my district, and they’re strongly in support of House Bill 648 and are demanding that the state legislature override this veto,” Rep. Firment said.
Rep. Aimee Freeman (D-New Orleans) disagrees. She says there are no known cases in Louisiana of surgery on children to alter their gender. Rep. Freeman says the bill’s intent is to target a vulnerable population.
Rep. Freeman also calls the bill unnecessary.
“These are not medical decisions that are made lightly,” Rep Freeman said. “They’re made with the parent and with the child and with medical professionals. So, there’s just no reason to be legislating this hateful kind of legislation.”
Neighboring states have passed similar legislation. Rep. Firment fears without it, Louisiana will be set apart.
“If we do not override this veto, then we know Louisiana will become a destination in the South for these types of experimental medical procedures on kids,” Rep. Firment said.
Rep. Freeman points out that legislation passed in Arkansas has already been challenged in the courts. She believes Rep. Firment’s bill violates the state constitution because it’s discriminatory.
“This is actually taking away a parental right, which most of my Republican colleagues tend to want parental rights, and in this situation, parents evidently can’t be trusted,” Rep. Freeman said.
Lawmakers must respond by Thursday if they wish to return to Baton Rouge for a veto session.
