Indiana has joined over a dozen other U.S. states in banning gender-affirming medical procedures for minors, with Governor Eric Holcomb signing a bill that prohibits these procedures on the basis that permanent gender-changing surgeries and medical preparations for such transitions should only occur as an adult.
The Australian government has banned TikTok on all government-issued devices, following concerns over the app's security risks and its Chinese parent company's alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
"This bill is aptly named the Vulnerable Child Protection Act because it seeks to protect children with gender dysphoria from medical and surgical interventions that can cause permanent damage to their bodies before they are mature enough to make such serious health decisions," writes Idaho's Gov. Little.
Minnesota lawmakers on Thursday advanced legislation that would establish the state as a "trans refuge" for children who are seeking transgender medical procedures but who may be denied "gender-affirming care" in other states.
Arkansas has passed a law prohibiting transgender students in public schools from using the restroom or locker room that aligns with their gender identity, with fines of at least $1,000 for violators and the possibility of private lawsuits from parents if the law is not enforced.
