Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee reportedly signed two pieces of legislation into law Thursday to protect minors from sex-change surgeries and sexually graphic drag shows.
The new legislation prohibits sex-change therapies such as mastectomies on females who grow to feel they are guys and makes it unlawful to provide minors cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers. The bill was approved by the Republican-controlled state House by a vote of 77-16.
After an investigation by Republican legislators, VUMC halted all such procedures in October 2022.
“We should not allow permanent, life-altering decisions that hurt children. With the partnership of the General Assembly, this practice should end in Tennessee,” Lee said in response to an investigation by conservative host Matt Walsh.
“The bill defines an ‘adult cabaret performance’ to mean a performance in a location other than an adult cabaret that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to prurient interest, or similar entertainers, regardless of whether or not performed for consideration,” he continued.
The measure may face legal hurdles, as left-wing groups in Tennessee, such as the ACLU-TN, have threatened to sue, saying that the life-altering treatments are “essential” for youngsters.
A second bill signed into law by the Republican governor prohibits adults from mimicking the opposite sex in public or near where children may see it while appealing to prurient inclinations — that is, engaging in sexually suggestive behavior.
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