GA State Rep. Park Cannon shows 'black market drugs' proving dangers of banning gender-affirming care
Rep. Park Cannon (D-GA) is committed to helping her colleagues understand the dangers of banning gender-affirming care in Georgia.
According to The Cullman Times, a Georgia GOP-backed bill could allow the banning of "sex reassignment surgeries or any other surgical procedures and hormone replacement therapies that are performed on anyone younger than age 18 for the purpose of altering primary or secondary sexual characteristics."
As Georgia House members gathered last week to vote on the legislation, Cannon, who is only queer, pleaded with her colleagues to protect transgender children.
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The Cullman Times reported:
Nearly a dozen Democrats took their turns speaking against the bill, voicing concerns of the impact it could have on the mental health of transgender children, citing studies that indicate transgender youth have a much higher rate of suicide than any demographic of children.
Still, most House Republicans "voted to advance a bill they say will protect children."
The Recount tweeted Sunday, "At one point during the House debate, Georgia State Rep. Park Cannon (D) held up 'black market drugs for gender-affirming care' to denounce a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors."
The post followed up a previous tweet The Recount shared Friday, writing, "'It's not right. We don't even have a single transgender elected official in the state House or Senate. And yet, we're setting policy.' — State Rep. Park Cannon (D-GA) at Thursday's debate over a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors"
READ MORE: Nine states seeking to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth in 2023
During her speech, Cannon also noted, "In the Senate, we have someone who has a transgender child, and we did not listen to her on this bill."
The congresswoman said, "What's gonna the impact of this bill? I want to show you."
Holding up the drugs in her hand, she continued, "Do you know what this is...these are black market drugs for gender-affirming care. This is what parents will have to start giving their children, similar to the THC issue we had here when we were all so concerned about parents trying to help their kids through medical instances who needed support, instead of having to travel state lines, go on the black market, order and get it in black bags."
While holding the black market drug, she said "You have to break this — it is glass. It can be contaminated easily."
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Cannon then held up a prescription drug in comparison to the black market drug. She said, "This is given by a supportive provider. It has a prescription, it has information about what it does... I am begging you today. Please consider voting no on Senate Bill 140."
Watch the video below or at this link.
The Cullman Times' full report is available at this link.
