Oklahoma Legislature takes aim at transgender procedures for minors and adults

Oklahoma could soon ban gender transition procedures for minors and also make transgender adults seeking treatment pay medical bills out of their own pocket with no insurance coverage.

The heavily Republican state Senate approved legislation Wednesday to ban gender-affirming surgery and hormone therapy for minors, clearing the way for House lawmakers to consider Senate Bill 613 as soon as next week. The bill passed 40-8 on a party-line vote.

Gov. Kevin Stitt had asked lawmakers to send him a bill banning surgery and hormone therapy for children under 18 years old.

The House, meanwhile, advanced out of committee a bill reading "insurance coverage for (transgender surgery and hormone treatment) performed within this state on any minor or adult shall be prohibited." The bill also reads: "It shall be prohibited for any public funds in this state to be directly or indirectly used, granted, paid, or distributed to any entity, organization or individual for the provision of" transgender services. Violation of the law "shall result in the loss of public funding." The lone Democrat on the committee, Trish Ranson, of Stillwater, objected to moving the bill forward, but it was approved on a 5-1 vote.

Emily Hildebrandt said these laws will affect her 15-year-old trans son, who she asked to not be identified by name.

"They're specifically going after the trans community," said Hildebrandt. "It's a downward spiral. If this is approved, what is the next step? Going after queer couples and going after their health insurance?"

Everyone should have the right to health care, she said.

"I really think they are endangering the community. They would not do this to any other community of people. This is harsh," Hildebrandt said.

Her husband, the child's stepfather Todd Hildebrandt, was at the Capitol to watch over the proceedings. After the Senate vote, he said his son is much happier and more comfortable now living as a boy.

"One of the best things I've ever done is I took him to buy flannels and loose-fitting jeans, and when I drove him home he said, 'Now I can finally feel like myself,'" Hildebrandt said.

During debate in the House committee, Ranson questioned the virtue of having the government make decisions for parents about their child's health care.

"Parents have the right to seek effective medical care for their children. Government should not be in that decision-making process." Transgender Oklahomans, she said, "are an asset to our state, and we need to make sure we get out of their way to live their life with freedom, along with every single citizen of this state."

The author of House Bill 2177 is state Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore. He pushed back on Democrats' objections by arguing that his bill actually promotes gender-affirming health care because it affirms someone's gender assigned at birth.

"You are born a male or born a female," West said.