Campbell denounces passage of trans youth healthcare ban out of House of Representatives

Today, Indiana House Republicans passed its ban on healthcare, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, for transgender minors. Senate Bill 480 passed with a 65-30 vote. Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) issued the following statement after voting against the bill, which undermines parental rights by preventing parents from authorizing gender-affirming care for their children:

“My heart is breaking for all of our Hoosier transgender youth and their parents today,” Campbell said. “Many of these families have spent years working through the process of accessing this medically necessary care, and not only does Senate Bill 480 ban all gender-affirming care for minors moving forward, it cruelly halts the treatments that have already been implemented. 

“What’s more, I have serious concerns about the constitutionality of this bill and suspect the supermajority has once more signed the state and taxpayers up for months, if not years, of expensive litigation. 

“We’ve seen time and time again the grief and harm caused by Statehouse Republicans getting in the way of the patient, doctor and parental relationship and decision-making process. I am calling on Gov. Eric Holcomb to stand up against this government overreach and veto this discriminatory piece of legislation.”