Kansas Bans Gender Care for Minors, Overrides Governor's Veto

Kansas has become the latest state to ban gender-affirming medical care for minors after the Republican-controlled Legislature overrode Democratic Governor Laura Kelly's veto. The law, officially titled The Help Not Harm Act, will prohibit puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and surgeries for minors and is set to take effect shortly. Supporters of the ban argue it protects children from making irreversible medical decisions, while opponents, including families of transgender youth, express concern over the erasure of their children's identities. The law may face legal challenges in the Kansas Supreme Court regarding its constitutionality, as past rulings have supported personal rights related to healthcare. Kansas now joins 26 other states with similar restrictions, and advocacy groups are providing assistance to families seeking care outside the state. The override votes were significant, reflecting the strong Republican majority in the Legislature.