Louisiana state Sen. Fred Mills (R) joined with Democrats to strike down a bill that would have prevented healthcare workers from providing “gender-affirming care” to minors.
A state Senate committee reportedly voted 5-4 to strike down the measure, with Mills joining Democrats in the vote.
Reports quoted Mills saying he believes “gender-affirming care” is a choice that should be between a patient and their doctor.
“Always in my heart of hearts have I believed that a decision should be made by a patient and a physician. I believe in the physicians in Louisiana,” Mills said. “I believe in the scope of practice. I believe in the standard of care.”
BREAKING: After passing the House, a bill in Louisiana that would have banned pediatric sex changes just failed in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee because 'Republican' State Senator Fred Mills voted with Democrats to kill it.
One look at his donors shows massive… pic.twitter.com/JFhBvHc5q4
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) May 24, 2023
Mills, who was previously a Democrat but switched to become a Republican, is a pharmacy owner.
“Fred Mills has sided with the butchers and groomers. He will regret it. This is the biggest mistake of his political career, and also the end of his career. He’s going to be infamous and disgraced by his own base. We’ll make sure of that,” conservative commentator Matt Walsh of the Daily Wire tweeted.
Fred Mills has sided with the butchers and groomers. He will regret it. This is the biggest mistake of his political career, and also the end of his career. He’s going to be infamous and disgraced by his own base. We’ll make sure of that. https://t.co/ZiJFM9gScs
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) May 24, 2023
“Whoever mans the phones in the Fred Mills office is gonna have a LONG night when The Jesse Kelly Show hits the air,” conservative figure Jesse Kelly tweeted, sharing a phone number and email address for people who want to contact the lawmaker.
Whoever mans the phones in the Fred Mills office is gonna have a LONG night when The Jesse Kelly Show hits the air.
337-845-4240 is the number if you’d like to get started.
[email protected] if you’d prefer to email. https://t.co/gTlavMbBtM
— Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) May 24, 2023
Mills, who has served in the state Senate for more than 10 years, is not eligible to seek re-election because of term limits.
While conservatives expressed anger over Mills’ decision to side with Democrats, Louisiana’s American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) cheered the bill’s collapse, describing it as a “dangerous bill that targeted transgender children and stripped rights from their parents.”
Opponents of Louisiana’s legislation argue that “gender-affirming care” can be lifesaving for individuals with gender dysphoria. According to ABC News, “transgender” children and adults are likelier to receive stress and depression without such care.
“We are trying to allow transgender kids to grow up and become trans adults by improving their quality of life and preventing premature death by suicide,” Clifton Mixon, a pediatric psychologist in Louisiana who works in a gender clinic, recently told state lawmakers.
Over 15 states in the U.S. have enacted laws restricting or prohibiting “gender-affirming care” for minors, including three of Louisiana’s bordering states.
