Noem signs bill to prohibit transgender surgeries and more for minors

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) has signed legislation to prohibit health care professionals from providing sex reassignment surgeries, puberty blockers, and hormones to minors.

The measure bars health care professionals from knowingly providing services meant to validate a minor's perceived identity that conflicts with the minor's actual biological sex — banned services include, puberty blockers, various surgeries, and testosterone, estrogen, or progesterone in quantities larger than would not naturally be present in a patient.

The measure also states that in the event a professional or occupational licensing board determines that someone has run afoul of the prohibition, "the board must revoke any professional or occupational license or certificate held by the healthcare professional."

Noem, who entered office in 2019, secured reelection in 2022.

"South Dakota's kids are our future. With this legislation, we are protecting kids from harmful, permanent medical procedures," Noem said, according to a press release. "I will always stand up for the next generation of South Dakotans."

The commonsense legislation comes as cultural debate continues to rage over issues pertaining to radical leftist gender ideology.

The ACLU bemoaned the ban.

"Today is a heartbreaking and tragic day for thousands of South Dakotans and their families. This ban won't stop South Dakotans from being trans, but it will deny them critical support that helps struggling transgender youth grow up to become thriving transgender adults. But make no mistake–this fight is not over. We will never stop fighting for the right of trans youth to get the love, support, and care that every young person deserves. As much as Governor Noem wants to force these young people to live a lie, we know they are strong enough to live their truth, and we will always fight for communities and policies that protect their freedom to do so," the ACLU and and the ACLU of South Dakota declared in a joint statement, according to a press release.

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