Indiana’s ban on gender-affirming care will kill Hoosier youth

INDIANAPOLIS – On Tuesday (Feb. 27), the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the injunction halting Indiana's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. Following the court's decision, the ban will take effect immediately.

In response, State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) released the following statement:

“I am heartbroken for the young Hoosiers who will be impacted by this ban. It should not be controversial to say that transgender youth deserve access to the care they need to live happy, healthy lives. With this ban, our state has instead chosen to turn its back on our transgender youth.

“The sad truth is that transgender individuals experience a higher risk of suicide. Further, one in five transgender and non-binary youths considered suicide this past year alone. One life lost is one too many. We have a crisis on our hands. Our state is not doing enough to protect our vulnerable youth, and by restricting the care they need, these rates are only going to increase.

“If we truly want to protect Hoosier youth, let's start by reversing this decision and supporting the LGBTQ+ community in our state. Study after study explicitly shows that medical intervention improves outcomes for transgender youth. And yet, conspiracy and misinformation has resulted in dangerous misconceptions about transgender health care.

“I implore state lawmakers to look at the facts: gender-affirming care saves lives. Children are not being manipulated into any medically unnecessary procedures. They are receiving age-appropriate care under the direct supervision of parents and medical professionals with their best interests at heart. This ruling is not just un-scientific, it is morally reprehensible.”