Utah State Senator Stands Up for Trans Intern in Gender-Affirming Care Debate The ADVOCATE https://www.advocate.com/politics/utah-state-senator-transgender-internBy Trudy Ring
January 24 2023 4:53 PM EST
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A Utah state senator stood up for his transgender intern as the Senate debated a ban on gender-affirming care for minors.
Sen. Nate Blouin (pictured), a Salt Lake City Democrat, read a statement from the intern, Ari Webb, during last week’s discussion of Senate Bill 16.
“Even before SB 16 has passed the Senate, this bill has already negatively impacted my health and well-being and is causing adverse effects on Utah’s trans community,” the statement began. “It is a reminder of the fact that even after being able to transition and to fit in with the rest of society that people like me are not accepted by the majority of this body.
“I will have to face each of you on this floor after this vote, and each of you will have to face me and many other transgender people after today, whether you know it or not. I hope that should someone else disclose their transgender identity to you, it’s because they’re comfortable with you and not because they are pleading with you to recognize their humanity. I hope you can face these people with a clear conscience that you did the right thing today.”
