FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Adam Polaski | Campaign for Southern Equality | adam@southernequality.org | 610-306-7956

Alainna Liloia | Equality NC | alainna@equalitync.org | 919-213-1451

RALEIGH, NC – Today the North Carolina House Health Committee voted to advance HB808, a bill that would restrict access to gender-affirming medical care for transgender people under the age of 18. The bill, originally filed as an outright ban on all gender-affirming care (including hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and surgery), was substituted in the committee for a ban limited to surgical procedures.

One of five gender-affirming care bans introduced this session, HB808 allows governmental intrusion into private healthcare decisions, which should be left to families and their doctors. Medical and mental health providers have warned of the dangers of legislation cutting off access to gender-affirming care for trans youth and adults. Just this week 630+ medical providers across the state submitted an open letter condemning legislation like HB808 and opposing government overreach in healthcare. They wrote: "As North Carolina health care professionals deeply committed to protecting our patients and preserving the trusting and informed relationship between patient and provider, we adamantly oppose any bans or restrictions on access to and provision of life-saving, gender-affirming care."

Kendra R. Johnson (she/her pronouns), Executive Director of Equality NC, said today:

"North Carolina lawmakers have no business interfering with private medical decisions made between transgender youth, their parents, and their medical care team. Ignoring the many healthcare providers who have condemned gender-affirming bans as dangerous and unnecessary, legislators continue to put forward discriminatory legislation attacking trans kids. Everyone deserves access to the healthcare they need, and gender-affirming care bans threaten the lives of our most vulnerable youth."

Allison Scott (she/her pronouns), Director of Impact & Innovation at the Campaign for Southern Equality, added:

"The relentless drumbeat of cruel attacks on LGBTQ youth in every sphere of life – happening all over the country – is now here in North Carolina. Medical decisions are private choices for the families of youth and their doctors, and we do not need government and politicians forcing themselves into the most personal decisions in a family's life. To transgender youth reading the news of this political attack today, please know that you are loved, you are supported, and an entire community is here to help you access every tool that you need to thrive."

HB808 now heads to the House Rules committee. The bill is likely to go to a floor vote in the House this week before the NCGA crossover deadline on Thursday.

Learn more about anti-LGBTQ+ legislation being considered in North Carolina by visiting the website for NC is Ready.

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Equality North Carolina builds LGBTQ+ power through advocacy, education, and uplifting the stories of queer and trans North Carolinians in pursuit of racial and social justice. www.equalitync.org

Based in Asheville, NC, the Campaign for Southern Equality promotes full LGBTQ equality across the South. Our work is rooted in commitments to equity in race, gender and class. www.southernequality.org