State Senators Sara Feigenholtz, Mike Simmons and Robert Peters are reiterating their commitment to protecting the dignity and rights of transgender Illinoisans after the federal government published a report this week purporting to establish “best practices” that advocate against gender-affirming care as an option for transgender youth and individuals.
“The assault on the transgender community from this administration must end,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “Attempting to strike terror in the hearts of families who are affirming the lives of their children won’t stand in Illinois.”
“Research is clear and medical experts agree: bans on gender-affirming care harm kids, and individual medical decisions must be between patients and their doctors — not the federal government,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “Access to the health care you need should never be taken away because of someone else’s agenda.”
“Let’s call this what it is: a stunt designed to undermine evidence-based care and stigmatize some of the most vulnerable people in our country,” said Peters (D-Chicago). “In Illinois, we trust families, doctors and trans youth to make the right decisions for themselves. We will keep fighting to make sure our state remains a place where every young person, regardless of their gender identity, is affirmed and protected — because when we don’t, the consequences are real, and include increased risks of depression, self-harm and suicide among trans youth.”
Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus have worked diligently to enshrine protections into Illinois law for those whose rights are threatened or denied in other states, including the transgender community. In recent years, Illinois has banned conversion therapy, enabled gender marker corrections on official documents, protected the right to marry, codified protections for abortion and gender-affirming care, and bolstered patient and provider confidentiality.
Feigenholtz, Simmons and Peters stand committed to protecting the bodily autonomy of all people in Illinois, no matter their gender identity or background.
