Gender transition procedures on children are growing at an alarming rate in the U.S. while other countries are scaling back their use. There are legitimate concerns regarding these irreversible and unproven procedures. Senate Bill 480 seeks to protect Hoosier children from harm by prohibiting the performance of gender transition procedures on minors.

What treatments are prohibited by SB 480?

SB 480 prohibits gender transition procedures and treatments for minors in Indiana. These procedures are defined as medical and surgical services that seek to alter a child's physical characteristics in a way inconsistent with their biological sex. This includes surgeries that remove or add body parts associated with a given gender – such as genital removal or breast removal. SB 480 would also prohibit treatments using puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for the purpose of developing characteristics inconsistent with a child’s sex. The bill would not restrict access to counseling for children dealing with gender dysphoria, and it would not restrict treatment of physical sex disorders.

Does SB 480 prohibit all gender transition treatments?

No, it only bans treatments on children under the age of 18. Once a person reaches adulthood, they can make their own decisions regarding what types of treatments to pursue.

Does SB 480 prohibit mental-health counseling for children dealing with gender dysphoria?

No. The bill's prohibitions apply only to treatments that seek to alter a child's physical characteristics.

Would SB 480 ban the use of puberty blockers or hormones for conditions unrelated to gender dysphoria?

No. The bill prohibits the use of these treatments only for the purpose of changing a child's gender.

Are gender transition surgeries and treatments reversible?

Surgeries are irreversible and, in the case of genital surgeries, can even cause irreversible infertility. The effects of cross-sex hormones are irreversible once a patient develops characteristics of the opposite sex. The long-term effects of puberty blockers are still being studied.

Are gender transition treatments FDA-approved?

The FDA has not approved puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones for the purpose of gender transition. The use of cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers is approved for some other conditions, such as some types of cancer and premature puberty in very young children. However, to date, the FDA has not approved any treatment for gender transition.

What if a parent wants their child to receive gender transition treatment?

Indiana law always has a vested interest in the well-being of our children. For example, we do not allow parents to give their children illegal drugs, or to treat their children violently. Given the irreversibility and unproven science surrounding these treatments, it is appropriate to address this issue at the state level. If SB 480 becomes state law, a parent or guardian could not consent to gender transition treatments on their child's behalf. Once the child becomes an adult, they would be able to make their own decision on what treatment to pursue.

What do studies say about the mental and emotional impact of these procedures?

The mental and emotional effects of undergoing these procedures are still being studied, and there is a lot that scientists still don't understand. For this reason, other countries around the world are scaling back the use of gender transition procedures on children.