White House responds to new transgender laws in Alabama

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The White House today has reacted to the recent transgender laws in Alabama. The Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act was signed by Gov. Kay Ivey in April and took effect on Sunday. The law will make it a felony for doctors to prescribe puberty blockers and hormones to trans people under age 19.

Four Alabama families with transgender children have filed a lawsuit challenging and the U.S. Department of Justice has joined the suit. Alabama is the first state to enact such a ban, and a similar measure in Arkansas was blocked by a federal judge before it took effect. 

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra responded to the law, vowing to support trans youth.

Becerra stated, “HHS is committed to protecting young Americans who are targeted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and supporting their parents, caregivers, families and their doctors. I know that many youth and their families are feeling scared and isolated because of these attacks — and I want them to know we see you, we support you and we are with you. HHS is closely monitoring the situation in the states, and will use every tool at our disposal to keep our kids and doctors safe.”

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said during a press briefing that the Biden administration will not ‘hesitate to hold states accountable’ as lawmakers advance anti-trans laws across the country.

“Alabama’s lawmakers and other legislators that are contemplating these discriminatory bills have been put on notice by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services that laws and policies preventing care that healthcare professionals recommend for transgender minors may violate the constitution and federal law,” stated Psaki. “LGTQI+ people can’t be erased or forced back into any closets and kids across our nation should be allowed to be who they are without the threat that their parents or their doctor could be in prison simply for helping them and loving them.”

In April, Alabama Secretary of State Steve Marshall said in a statement on Twitter, “On April 8, Alabama enacted the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act to protect children from experimental medical procedures that have no proven benefit and carry a substantial risk of long-term, irreversible harm.”

“There are very real challenges facing our young people, especially with today’s societal pressures and modern culture,” Ivey said in a statement. “I believe very strongly that if the Good Lord made you a boy, you are a boy, and if he made you a girl, you are a girl.”