Oklahoma House Approves Bill That Prohibits Gender Transition Services For Minors

State Lawmakers on the House floor were interrupted multiple times as they debated a controversial bill Tuesday morning.

The bill, HB 2177, would stop all hospitals that get public money from providing gender care to minors.

The bill's authors said this one, like the others that ban gender care for people under 18, is all to protect kids. Lawmakers who pushed back said a clause in the bill that prevents adults from getting hormones proves otherwise.

For now, gender care in Oklahoma for minors and adults may be on borrowed time.

"We're saying these radical dangerous, experimental procedures should be illegal," Representative Jim Olsen R-District 002 said. 

Olsen and Rep. Kevin West's bill, HB 2177, works towards that goal. That bill takes previous legislation one step further. Previously, SB 3 required hospitals that received American Rescue Plan Act money to stop gender care. OU was the biggest provider to comply, as continued care would cost the hospital $39.4 million in ARPA funds. This bill extends to all providers that accept any state dollars.

"This is about protecting children from the risk of puberty blockers," Rep. Olsen said. "People who are mentally ill, if they think they're superman you don't take them to the top of a building and tell them to jump off and fly," Rep. Justin Humphrey said during the debate.

If HB 2177 is turned to law, adult's access to hormones would also be restricted.

"They just won't be able to use the insurance for these procedures," Rep. West said. "Then adults who are currently on hormones would have to de-transition, is that correct," Rep. Trish Ranson said. West answered, "they would either have to do that or pay for it out of pocket."

"The people in Oklahoma can't afford healthcare. That's why we had State Question 802," Rep. Mauree Turner pointed out.

If HB 2177 becomes a law, it allows for a six-month period for people who take hormones to wean themselves off of them. It also allows for doctors to fix botched gender transition procedures:

"Treatment of any infection, injury, disease, or disorder that has been caused by or exacerbated by the performance of gender transition procedures, whether the gender transition procedure was performed in accordance with state and federal law or whether funding for the gender transition procedure is permissible under this act."

The lawmakers who pushed back raised more concerns about a portion of the bill that included "appearance" and how doctors cannot do anything to gender affirm. 

That portion of the bill reads: "A physician, mental health professional, or other health care professional shall not knowingly engage in attempting to alter the appearance of or affirm the minor's perception of his or her gender or biological sex"

"Sounds like a state sanctioned dress code. You're telling me I can't go to a therapist and allow them to tell me to wear clothing that would make me feel the most comfortable," Rep. Amanda Swope said.

Outbursts from the gallery throughout the floor debate spilled out into the rotunda after the overwhelming 80-18 passing vote. 

While protesters and lawmakers, like Rep. Andy Fugate, asked, "Is it ok to be trans in Oklahoma?" asked Rep. Andy Fugate

One person was even arrested after they threw water on a representative. This all happened while protesters and lawmakers asked the authors a simple question.

Police took the protester who was arrested to the Oklahoma County Detention Center on an assault complaint, battery to a peace officer could also be tacked on.