Republican Legislators Support Bill to Protect Minors from Gender Transition Procedures

Terri WuSeptember 20, 2022

WASHINGTON—Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and 10 other Republican legislators called for support of the Protect Children’s Innocence Act—a bill prohibiting gender transition surgeries on minors—outside the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 20.

If enacted, the legislation would make it a felony to perform “gender-affirming care”—operations, medication, or other procedures to change a minor’s biological sex. The penalty is up to 25 years in prison, or a maximum $250,000 fine. The Act, introduced by Greene on Aug. 19, would also prohibit the use of any federal funds or facilities for gender-affirming care.

The bill is about “protecting them [children] from … being fast-tracked into permanent harm to their bodies before they’re old enough to vote, get a tattoo, buy tobacco, join the military, often drive a car, and go see an R-rated movie,” Greene told the press.

She said the bill will have more sponsors and pass in the next Congress, citing “massive support among Republican voters.” The current number of sponsors is 35, all Republicans. Ten of the co-sponsors attended today’s event.

“This [gender-affirming care for minors] should never happen in the United States of America. As a matter of fact, it should never happen anywhere in the world,” said Greene at the event. “But there’s an ideology that is sexualizing children and pushing this among the most innocent kids, the most vulnerable, and all of our society. And it has to end.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) with Republican legislators outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 20, 2022. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)

Pro-transgender groups have strongly objected to the Protect Children’s Innocence Act.

“All people, including transgender young people, deserve access to health care that helps them live safe and healthy lives,” said a statement issued by Dr. Kellan E. Baker, executive director of the Whitman-Walker Institute,