Bombshell Louisiana Report Led To Republican Senator Rejecting Youth Trans Ban

[Nevilledog]

https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/bombshell-louisiana-report-led-to

The trend of banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth was gaining momentum in conservative-leaning states, leading many to fear that the entirety of the Southeastern United States would follow suit. However, on Wednesday, Louisiana bucked this trend. Louisiana became the only state in the Southeast and one of only four states with Republican trifectas to defeat such a ban in its legislature. This defeat provides transgender individuals, particularly those in neighboring states where such care is banned, with a vital source for their medical needs. Coupled with court blocks on similar bans in other Southeastern states, those who must cross state lines for their care likely feel a sense of relief. Without a doubt, transgender individuals in Louisiana are among those breathing easier.

House Bill 648, which had already passed the Louisiana House of Representatives with a 71-27 vote, faced strong opposition during the committee hearing. Aware that it could be their last opportunity to quash the bill, family members and allies delivered impassioned testimonies. Louisiana Trans Advocates played a crucial role in these efforts, holding private meetings with Senators to provide education on the treatment in question. The deciding moment arrived when Republican Senator Fred Mills broke ranks and voted against the bill. His unexpected decision prevented the bill from reaching the Senate floor for a full vote, surprising advocates across the nation and effectively halting the bill's progression.

When asked why he voted against the bill, he cited a Louisiana Department of Health report commissioned in 2022 and released earlier this year that returned strong findings in support of gender affirming care.

“My decision was really, really based on the numbers. All the testimony I heard by the proponents that children are getting mutilated, I didn’t see it in the statistics,” Mills said in an interview.

*snip*

[Skittles]

1. makes me wonder, if Mills relies so heavily on FACTS

what the FUCK is he doing in the GOP?

[ecstatic]

2. He's bullshitting. He voted against it because it's likely an issue

that affects someone he loves or cares about. That is the only fucking time that republicans are able to show compassion and empathy--when they are personally affected somehow.

[Skittles]

3. true, dat

the usual fucking hypocrisy

[keopeli]

6. Exactly! When it's personal, GQPers vote as any human would, showing their selfishness & hypocrisy.

[soldierant]

4. He may have registered Republican

because there's no other way to carry any weight there. I do not think that way, but I have known people who do, and some are good people trying to accomplish stuff.

[mwb970]

5. You "didn't see it in the statistics" because it's made-up crap.

[dsc]

7. LA has a dem governor

[IbogaProject]

8. Thank you Fred Mills

Thank you for reading the actual information and acting accordingly. I still hate the GOP and I'm a little scared if they tone down the most outrageous parts of their recent agenda they might break their recent declines.