(RepublicanReport.org) – In October, the Wisconsin State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 465 with a vote in the state Senate of 22 to 10 and a vote in the Assembly of 63 to 35. The legislation would ban gender-affirming care for any youths under the age of 18 in Wisconsin. Once passed, the bill made its way to Governor Tony Evers’ desk to be signed into law. However, the Wisconsin leader was not on board with the proposal.
On December 6, Evers vetoed the bill, as expected. After the veto, the governor posted on social media stating that he “promised” to refuse “any bill that makes Wisconsin a less safe, less inclusive” place to live for the LGBTQ community and kids. Arizona House Speaker Robin Vos shared Evers’ post with his own commentary. He called the governor’s move a “harmful mistake,” stating that children shouldn’t be making “life-altering decision[s]” — only adults. Laws regarding whether or not children can make decisions regarding their healthcare varies by state.
CBS News reported that Republican State Senator Duey Stroebel had a strong opinion about the matter. He said Evers’ veto shows he is “out of touch with reality.” Stroebel and other Republicans who supported the bill believe they are “protecting children from invasive and irreversible medical interventions.”
Evers had a different opinion. He reportedly said in his veto message that the rhetoric stemming from these types of bills “harms LGBTQ people and kids’ mental health” and sows “hate and violence” toward the marginalized community in Wisconsin. He vowed to veto any similar bills that reach his desk.
Nearly two dozen states across the nation have laws restricting or outright banning gender-affirming care for minors. In fact, there are ongoing battles about the matter in the court system. CBS News reported that surgery for kids under 18 is extremely rare — less than 3,700 between 2016 and 2019.
Copyright 2023, RepublicanReport.org
