Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed a bill into law on May 8 that would deny the use of state funds for gender-affirming care for the state’s transgender prison inmates, including surgeries and hormone replacement therapies (HRT).

Senate Bill 185 saw little to no contention from the Republican Party, which argued that it would save tax dollars amid widespread GOP opposition to trans rights.

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However, Democrats argued that the legislation wouldn’t have much financial impact since trans people make up a small portion of the population. Democratic opponents called the bill a mean-spirited attack on the trans community. They also lambasted their Republican colleagues for attacking a small minority group when they could be addressing more important issues such as education, healthcare, and public safety.

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S.B. 185 ultimately passed the state Senate in a 37-15 vote in March, with not a single Republican voting against it and a handful of Democrats voting in favor of the bill.

Sen. Elena Parent (D) said she agreed that taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for inmates’ gender-affirming healthcare but offered an amendment to allow prisoners to continue with the HRT they were prescribed prior to incarceration.

Her amendment failed, and she became one of the four Democrats to vote in favor of S.B. 185.

The bill then arrived at the state’s House of Representatives, prompting Democrats to hold a walkout in protest of the Republican-controlled chamber. Two Democratic representatives didn’t participate in the walkout, resulting in the bill passing in a vote of 100-2.

The vote resulted in the bill landing on Gov. Kemp’s desk, where he signed it into law. Kemp reportedly signed the bill into law during a trip to the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, Georgia.

Last year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a report on Georgia’s mistreatment of transgender inmates. The 93-page report details confinement conditions in the state prisons that violate the Constitution’s Eighth Amendment prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment. The report found evidence of trans inmates being subjected to violent physical and sexual assault from other inmates, with prison officials showing clear indifference.

Unfortunately, the current presidential administration has withdrawn its investigation into Georgia’s prison system.

Taking away transgender inmates’ access to gender-affirming care can have devastating psychological effects. Inmates and prison psychologists warn that gender dysphoria is a medical condition that requires proper treatment and care in order to reduce depression and mental duress.

If this story affected you, just know you are not alone. The Trans Lifeline Hotline offers support to trans/nonbinary people struggling with mental health from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. PST Monday – Friday. Call (877) 565-8860 to be connected to a trans/nonbinary peer operator and receive full anonymity and confidentiality. 

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