OUT Georgia Business Alliance is proud to serve Georgia’s LGBTQ+ and allied community by advocating for the most inclusive and equitable business environment; providing support and resources to fuel economic growth; and driving meaningful community connections and impact across the State of Georgia.
As we approach International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) on March 31, gender diverse youth across the nation – and certainly in our own state – are facing unprecedented attacks on the right to access gender affirming care for youth. With the well-being of our youth and their families at risk, we must rally to protect their access to affirming, evidence-based medical care.
On March 14, SB 140 was approved by the Public Health Committee of the State House of Representatives and advanced quickly to the full House for a vote early on March 16. Unfortunately, the House voted to pass SB 140 and it now heads back to the Senate for a vote on the amended version.
If this bill passes the Senate and heads to the Governor for signature, transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive youth will lose their access to existing medical care. Additionally, medical providers, who offer gender affirming care for youth, will face harsh sanctions. And finally, medical providers who harm intersex children – by performing medically unnecessary surgeries that are clear human rights abuses – will be actively protected under state law.
We know that discrimination is bad for business. We also know that this bill – should it become law – will harm Georgia’s youth, families, and economy. Because loving families will prioritize the needs of their gender diverse youth, we know that this bill will force people to decide whether or not to leave the state, given what’s at stake.
With TDOV quickly approaching, transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive youth need the help of our community. We must fight harder than ever to fight for the rights of our transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive youth to access comprehensive, culturally humble medical care.
Transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive youth are deserving of affirming medical care, and we must stop Georgia legislators from bullying our youth. Now is the time to message your Georgia State Senator, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, and Governor Brian Kemp to Protect Trans Youth and STOP SB 140. And of course, don’t forget to remind them that gender affirming care is life-saving care.
About OUT Georgia Business Alliance
OUT Georgia Business Alliance proudly serves as Georgia’s only LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce.
Since 1994, OUT Georgia Business Alliance (formerly the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce) has served the LGBTQ+ and Allied business community by advocating for the most inclusive and equitable business environment; providing support and resources to fuel economic growth; and driving meaningful community connections and impact across the State of Georgia.
OUT Georgia Business Alliance is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., and is a proud affiliate of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact us at OUTGeorgia.org or info@OUTGeorgia.org.
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