Q Toon: Not a Doctor But I Play One

 For this week's cartoon, travel with me to exotic Utah:

Governor Spencer Cox (R-but of course) has signed Senate Bill 16, a bill that outlaws gender affirming care for Utahns under the age of 19. It, and a bill to publicly fund private schools, are the very first two bills Cox signed in the current session of the legislature.

Seeming to acknowledge that he was doing something truly awful, Cox continued, "While we understand our words will be of little comfort to those who disagree with us, we sincerely hope that we can treat our transgender families with more love and respect as we work to better understand the science and consequences behind these procedures.” But “love and respect” are the furthest things from what is being offered. And again, the science and consequences of this bill are already clear: The lack of treatment options within the state for trans youth will lead to higher rates of depression and suicide.

The overwhelming majority of medical, pediatric, therapeutic, and psychology professionals argue that bills such as this interfere with their ability to act in the best interest of their patients. 

Cox claimed that it was necessary to put a halt to "these permanent and life-altering treatments for new patients until more and better research can help determine the long-term consequences." Tellingly, however, there is no provision in the bill preventing, say, breast augmentation for cis girls, or testosterone boosters for cis boys. Utah Republicans, and their ilk in 18 other states where laws just like SB16 have been proposed, have no problem with this kind of medical treatment per se. 

But when it comes to the transgender community, they're perfectly happy to play doctor.