On Thursday, Arizona joined the list of states that approved legislation banning gender reassignment surgeries for minors and prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports.
Legislators stated that anyone born a male cannot engage in intramural or interscholastic sports for females. SB 1165’s supporters argue that it simply acknowledges the fact that men are inherently stronger than women.
SB 1138 was adopted by the House on the same all-Republican vote. It outlaws any type of “irreversible gender reassignment surgery” on anyone under the age of 18, even if their parents agree.
Governor Doug Ducey hasn’t confirmed if he will sign the bills, which both passed with only Republican support.
Critics argue that SB 1165 takes away parental rights but supporters point to the fact that, regardless of parental permission, children are not capable of making such a permanent, life altering decision.
Republican Rep. Shawnna Bolick said:
“This bill to me is all about biology. In my opinion, it’s unfair to allow biological males to compete with biological girls sports.”
SB 1138 restricts only irreversible procedures. The idea is to protect youth from making permanent changes they will later regret.
Republican Representative John Kavanagh compared the vote to the Legislature’s 2014 unanimous decision to ban genital mutilation. He stated:
”We should stand the same way today because this is mutilation of children. It is irreversible. It is horrific.”
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