Ban on gender surgeries, puberty blockers for minors inches ahead in South Dakota

Opponents of House Bill 1080 characterize the measure as ‘anti-transgender legislation’

PIERRE — Elliott Morehead is transitioning genders, a decision the Sioux Falls teen has come to with months of therapy and family conversations about gender identity.

But the Lincoln High School student told a panel of lawmakers at the state Capitol on Tuesday that if House Bill 1080 earns passage, hopes of completing the transition to male will be dashed — at least in the state of South Dakota.

That’s because the legislation that cleared the House Health and Human Services Committee along partisan lines this week seeks to prohibit medical professionals from performing gender surgeries and prescribing puberty blockers for the purpose of gender transitioning on minors.

“I am transgender and I’m proud,” Morehead said while unsuccessfully urging the committee to kill the bill. “I’m in a body that has a couple more steps to being a 100 percent me. HB-1080 will deny that opportunity I’ve worked hard to achieve.”

NEWS: South Dakota lawmakers want to ban gender surgeries, puberty blockers for children