By L.A. Williams
Christian Action League
June 20, 2023
A bill protecting minors from mutilating surgeries, puberty-blocking drugs and cross-sex hormones passed the House Wednesday and is headed to the Governor’s Office. House Bill 808, titled “An Act to Prohibit Gender Transition Procedures for Minors,” had passed the Senate on Tuesday, 29-16. Wednesday’s House vote was 67-46. Both were along party lines.
Democrats Garland Pierce (Hoke, Scotland) and Michael Wray (Halifax, Northampton, Warren) had voted in favor of an earlier draft of the bill, which banned the surgeries but not the drugs. On Wednesday, they voted against the broader Senate version of the measure, which Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to veto, setting the stage for an override.
Violators of the law, which is set to take effect in August, could have their medical licenses revoked or face lawsuits.
The Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League, addressed the House Judiciary Committee last week, urging them to support the bill and pointing out that by law we do not permit minors to use tobacco, drink alcohol, take drugs, gamble or engage in sex with an adult, all of which may negatively affect their health. In the same way, he said, minors should not be allowed to alter their gender surgically – an act which unquestionably poses risks, including complications from the surgery, hormonal imbalances, and an increased chance of developing mental health issues such as depression and suicidal ideation.
He applauded lawmakers for passing the common-sense legislation despite pressure from transgender activists pushing so-called “gender-affirming care” and claims that preventing access to transition surgeries will harm gender-dysphoric children.
“You’re saying to them, ‘You don’t matter, we don’t value you, we don’t care about you because you don’t need medical treatment. You don’t need anything, because you’re not human,’” Rep. Allison Dahle (D-Wake) said of bill supporters.
Creech said true care involves telling children the truth, that as humans they are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image and have no need to alter their bodies.
“Let’s let children be children, not miniature adults with full-sized problems,” he added.
