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.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the age in which a child may undergo gender operations is up to the "child and their parents to decide."
"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.
A Christian woman in Oregon was denied adoption due to her beliefs about gender, and concerns have been raised about the lifelong consequences of gender dysphoria treatments, as Oregon lawmakers propose a law to cut parents out of the process entirely.
The investigation was prompted by accusations made by DeSantis' newly appointed board that the Reedy Creek board members signed a previous agreement with Disney, undermining the powers of the new board, which DeSantis claims has "legal infirmities."