ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A Lehigh Valley legislator has introduced two bills centered around gender-affirming care.
The legislation aims to protect those in the LGBTQ community.
“I know it's an issue of critical importance to the trans community and the LGBTQ community," state Rep. Joshua Siegel, D-Lehigh County, said.
"I know that Pennsylvania, just as it has become a sanctuary for freedom and reproductive rights as it relates to abortion, we have become a sanctuary for gender affirming care.”
"We will not work with those deeply extremist, anti-science, anti-medical laws in other states that endanger the lives and the mental well-being of individuals seeking gender affirming care."State Rep. Joshua Siegel, D-Lehigh County
Siegel represents the 22nd Legislative District, which includes parts of Allentown and Salisbury Township. He recently introduced the gender affirming care legislation in the state House.
He said one law will shield people from out-of-state investigations to criminalize gender affirming care in Pennsylvania.
"What we want to say as a commonwealth, and what I want to say with this legislation, is that we will not work with those deeply extremist, anti-science, anti-medical laws in other states that endanger the lives and the mental well-being of individuals seeking gender affirming care," he said.
Siegel said 25 states have some form of ban on gender-affirming care on the books, many of them in the deep South, but including neighboring Ohio.
Second bill would protect providers
The second bill, which he said "is also important," would protect providers of such care in the state from civil disputes in other states, so "their practices are not threatened or undermined financially or in any other way by providing that care, as it is legal here in Pennsylvania.”
Gender-affirming care is patient-centered and treats individuals holistically, aligning their outward, physical traits with their gender identity, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“I want to make sure that everyone across the country knows that in Pennsylvania, they have that same level of love and support.”State Rep. Joshus Siegel, D-Lehigh County
It can be as diverse as puberty blockers and medication to help people avoid puberty if they're transitioning, psychiatric and psychological assistance to help with mental health issues associated with transitioning or surgical procedures.
Siegel called gender-affirming care “deeply personal” and the bills hit close to home for him, as he has a transgender family member.
“My sister is a trans woman, and I have seen firsthand the value of gender-affirming care, the importance of letting her be herself and live her truth,” Siegel said.
“She has taken hormone blockers, she has been a beneficiary of gender-affirming care, and I know that it's made her healthier and happier and just better off as an individual.
"Because she feels comfortable in who she is, and I was proud to support that as a sibling and a family member.
“I want to make sure that everyone across the country knows that in Pennsylvania, they have that same level of love and support.”
Siegel said the next steps for the bills are to get a hearing in committee and get it out of committee and move it to the House floor.
