Date of Award

5-2024

Degree Type

Honors College Thesis

Academic Program

Social Work BSW

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Susan Hrostowski, Ph.D.

Advisor Department

Social Work

Abstract

Mississippi House Bill 1125 (MS HB1125), also known as the “Regulate Experimental Adolescent Procedures (REAP) Act,” was signed into law by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves in early 2023 (REAP Act, 2023). It is one of multiple policies passed into law that limit the rights of transgender people. This thesis aims to clarify the history of the trans community, dispel myths around gender-affirming health care and the trans identity, and discuss the current state of anti-trans laws and transgender rights. Using a policy analysis framework by DiNitto (2011), MS HB1125 is analyzed on points like its social and economic costs, the perceived cause of the issue it addresses, and possible unintended consequences of the bill’s passing. Although MS HB1125 and similar bills from other states aim to restrict the rights of trans individuals, many states are working towards protecting these rights. As social workers, we must advocate for our young trans clients’ rights to bodily autonomy and self-determination. However, we must also consider the ethical implications of allowing minors access to all methods of gender transitioning procedures, especially those that are irreversible.

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