NJ becomes trans care 'safe haven'

Order backs gender-affirming services

By: Sammy Gibbons
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... New Jersey became a "safe haven" on Tuesday [04/04/2023] for transgender, non-binary and other gender-diverse people seeking gender-affirming health care.
..... Governor Phil Murphy singed an executive order to protect health care professionals and patients from facing repercussions when they seek, receive, provide or travel to New Jersey for gender-affirming health care services. It orders state agencies not to discriminate against people based on their gender or gender expression and sexual orientation.
..... Gender-affirming care includes medical processes such as surgeries or hormone replacement therapy, along with mental health services and non-medical support. Not all transgender or non-binary people undergo medical procedures to affirm their identity.

Gender-affirming care banned in nine states

..... Such care has been banned in nine states, with more bills making their way through state legislatures. Access to gender-affirming care is one of several LGBTQ-related rights targeted in over 200 bills introduced in statehouses last year. [2022]
..... The order, addressed to state departments and agencies, prohibits the practice used in states of sending patients or providers outside of the state if another state changes an individual for receiving or facilitating legal gender-affirming care.

Can't cooperate with other states' investigations

..... Under Murphy's order, state agencies also cannot cooperate with other states' investigations of someone traveling to New Jersey to receive gender-affirming care, or of someone facilitate such a visit. The order aims to protect both residents of New Jersey and people traveling from states with more prohibitive laws.
..... Murphy's order mirrors similar moves to protect people traveling to New Jersey to seek an abortion. Two laws signed by Murphy on July 1 [2022] bar the extradition of people who receive or perform an abortion in New Jersey to those states that restrict or criminalize the procedure, and prohibit public agencies from aiding investigations conducted by those states into abortions provided here.
..... The New Jersey Transgender Equality Task Force, which Murphy formed in 2018, flagged gaps and disparities in protection apparent for LGBT!+ people, particularly those seeking gender-affirming care, in their 2019 report, according to Tuesday's [4/04/2023] executive order.
..... Murphy's order "gives me hope," transgender youth activist Rebekah Bruesehoff said in a statement, especially with "transgender youth are under attack across the country."
..... "I have always been grateful to live in New Jersey, but I am especially proud now to see my state take action that will protect and support not only me but my friends in states across the country," Bruesehoff said. "Transgender kids and teens like me just want to live our lives and be ourselves."

New York bill stalled

..... The order echoes bill introduced in New York last may [2022] that would, if passed, also make that state a "safe haven" for gender-diverse people and providers who offer gender-affirming health care. The bill lists similar protections to cover people who live in and travel to New York, but it has been stalled in the New York Senate Judiciary Committee since April 2022.
..... Last week, [03/30/2023] the Murphy administration launched transgender.nj.gov a site within the state's website that serves as a hub for gender-diverse New Jersey residents to easily find information about health care, legal rights and name change processes. Murphy has been outspoken and signed several pieces of legislation focused on LGBTQ+ rights during his tenure.

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