Democratic Kansas Governor Laura Kelly vetoed a bill on Friday that would have protected children from life-altering transgender surgeries, claiming that it trampled on parental rights.
The Republican-backed bill would have banned surgical procedures like removing the breasts of girls who identify as boys and other genital-related surgeries. It also would have banned placing children on puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, which have been linked to poor bone development, future fertility issues, and heart problems.
“This divisive legislation targets a small group of Kansans by placing government mandates on them and dictating to parents how to best raise and care for their children. I do not believe that is a conservative value, and it’s certainly not a Kansas value,” Kelly said in a veto message. “To be clear, this legislation tramples parental rights.”
Republicans…
