Nebraska Becomes Latest State to Ban Transgender Surgeries on Children

The bill, reportedly signed by Republican Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, outlaws most abortions after 12 weeks and prohibits transsexual surgery on those under the age of 18 in the Cornhusker State.

Following a chaotic week at the capital in Lincoln following numerous protesters’ arrests during the legislature’s Friday session, the signing makes Nebraska the 18th state to approve legislation prohibiting transgender surgeries on children.

Following the rejection by one vote of a bill that would have outlawed abortion at six weeks, the “Let Them Grow Act,” as it is known, was approved by the state assembly by a vote of 33-15.

It was the first abortion restriction voted in the state in 13 years, and it was identical to one that Republicans in North Carolina passed last week.

In order to prevent transgender surgeries for minors, such as mastectomies on girls who identify as boys, Nebraska lawmakers joined those of other red states, such as Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.

Similar laws have been proposed in Missouri and Texas as well, and they are expected to become law later this year. North and South Carolina politicians are also considering similar legislation.