Twelve New Hampshire House Democrats joined Republicans in passing a bill that would ban sex reassignment surgery for children.
The bill, HB 619, was originally intended to ban all transgender medical procedures on minors, but was amended to focus solely on banning gender reassignment surgeries for children.
New Hampshire Democratic Rep. Jonah Wheeler, one of 12 members of his party to vote in favor of the bill, gave a floor speech Thursday saying the core issue is “irreversible surgery.” said.
Conservatives slam Republican Ohio governor as 'coward' for vetoing transgender bill
New Hampshire Democratic Rep. Jonah Wheeler, one of 12 members of his party to vote in favor of the bill, gave a floor speech Thursday saying the core issue is “irreversible surgery.” said. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Wheeler, 20, said: “Despite the discomfort of this vote, I am standing up today because, to me, it's about whether children should have surgery or not. ” he said.
“And despite the fact that I'm a liberal, despite the fact that I believe in non-discrimination against transgender people, gay people, queer people… “The question is whether children under the age of 18 should be discriminated against for undergoing surgery,” he continued.
“And even though I'm a liberal who believes in these human rights, I don't believe that's the case,” he added.
Wheeler said he has spoken to several groups, including lobbyists, stakeholders and “people with direct and lived experience,” but the only arguments against the amendment he has heard are: “In particular, it opens the door to other bad trans bills.” ”
“But folks, I don't think the slippery slope fallacy applies here,” Wheeler said. “We're talking about whether kids should or shouldn't have these surgeries.”
The bill, HB 619, was originally intended to ban all transgender medical procedures on minors, but was amended to focus solely on banning gender reassignment surgeries for children. (Adobe Stock)
“These are irreversible surgeries,” Wheeler said, referring to the bill's “medical exception.”
“But when we're talking about whether children should have these surgeries, I think that's overkill,” he added. “And I'm not going to sign it.”
Wheeler said the question at hand is not “whether you're part of the trans community,” but rather “about whether you believe children should be able to undergo these irreversible surgeries.” Ta.
“So, again, even though I'm a Democrat and a liberal who believes in human rights, I don't think children should have access to these irreversible surgeries,” Wheeler said. Told. “So I'll take all the heat coming out of here.”
Wheeler said the question at hand is not “whether you're part of the trans community,” but rather “about whether you believe children should be able to undergo these irreversible surgeries.” Ta. (Nathaniel Pawlowski)
Wheeler said his Democratic colleagues “undoubtedly believe in human rights” and that “proponents of non-discrimination have weighed in on the irreversible surgeries our children will undergo if this bill fails.” I hope you will,” he added.
FOX News Digital has reached out to Wheeler for comment.
The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed HB 619 on Thursday by a vote of 199-175.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Granite State Democrats weren't the only party to see defections over the bill.
Two Republican senators have broken with their party to vote against a bill that would ban child gender reassignment surgery in the state.
