ACLU of Arkansas Statement on Governor's Veto of Trans Health Care Ban

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The ACLU of Arkansas today issued the following statement regarding Governor Asa Hutchinson’s veto of House Bill 1570, which would prohibit healthcare professionals from providing or even referring transgender young people for medically necessary health care. Multiple doctors and all major medical associations oppose this bill and similar bills across the country.

“This veto belongs to the thousands of Arkansans who spoke out against this discriminatory bill, especially the young people, parents, and pediatricians who never stopped fighting this anti-trans attack,” said Holly Dickson, ACLU of Arkansas executive director. “Medical decisions should be left up to trans youth, their parents, and their doctor – not politicians or the government. Arkansas legislators should recognize the work Governor Hutchinson put into this decision and follow his lead by allowing this veto to stand. We remain committed to stopping this law from harming the people of this state, including going to court if that is what legislators force these families to do to protect their children.”

This release is online at: https://www.acluarkansas.org/en/press-releases/aclu-arkansas-statement-governors-veto-trans-health-care-ban