Arkansas Republicans have introduced a bill, H.B. 1668, known as the “Vulnerable Youth Protection Act,” which would allow lawsuits against individuals who support transgender youth in their social transitions. The bill allows minors or their parents to sue anyone who acknowledges a minor’s gender identity through changes in clothing, pronouns, hairstyle, or name. Damages can range from $10,000 to $10 million if gender-affirming care has been received.
The bill falsely equates gender-affirming care to “castration, sterilization, or mutilation,” despite medical organizations like the AMA, APA, and WHO supporting it. A similar bill banning gender-affirming care for minors was overturned in 2023, leading to an increase in teenage suicide attempts in the state.
The ACLU of Arkansas strongly condemned the bill, stating that it creates a climate of fear and violates constitutional rights, including free speech and equal protection. The group argues that the bill is meant to silence individuals and deter them from supporting transgender youth.
The ACLU warns that the bill could have detrimental effects on transgender youth, increasing their risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide by forcing them into unsafe conditions. They label the bill as state-mandated bullying that encroaches on individual freedoms. The organization urges lawmakers to reject the bill and support LGBTQ youth.
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