A police officer in Alabama stood up before a committee of lawmakers considering a proposal to criminalize doctors who provide gender affirming health care for transgender young people, asking them not to pass the bill into law.
Sgt. David Fuller of the Gadsden Police Department testified before the state’s House Judiciary Committee during a hearing on H.B. 1, or the “Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act,” which would make it a felony punishable with 10 years in prison for a health care professional to provide gender-affirming care for a minor.
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During a public hearing held on February 10, Fuller explained to the committee that intervening in the relationship between a patient, their parents, and their doctors would hurt more than it would help.
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Fuller’s daughter came out to him as trans when she was 16.
“To say I was shocked was an understatement,” he said.
But then the father of three and veteran of the police force for over 25 years, his instincts took over and he knew he had to help his daughter. That’s where the doctors at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) came in.
The doctors “made us feel like we weren’t alone, that we were normal in an abnormal situation and they could help us,” Fuller said. “And they didn’t push anything on us. Just the opposite. They reeled us in at every step.”
That’s why he felt compelled to tell lawmakers that the proposal could have horrifying effects.
“They made sure it was baby steps,” he recounted. “It’s been a five-year process now and they haven’t pushed anything on us. Just the opposite. And they are angels to me.”
Fuller than asked the legislators, “And as a police officer, you’re asking me to someday put handcuffs on these people that are heroes in my life?”
“Please don’t ask me to do that.”
Fuller’s speech was described as one of the standout comments before the committee. At least seven others spoke at the event, including ex-transgender activist Walt Heyer, who told the lawmakers that “we need to protect our children.”
“We don’t need to be giving them hormone therapy,” Heyer said. “They can deal with these other things when they’re adults and can understand the consequences. And the consequences are severe and irreversible.”
The proposal in the Alabama House was presented for at least the second time by Rep. Wes Allen (R), and the House Judiciary Committee will be able to vote on advancing it out of committee beginning next week.
A similar Alabama proposal, submitted by state Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R) for another year as well, also went before the Healthcare Committee on February 10. It was passed for vote from the entire state senate.
The bill would also make it a felony if teachers and school administrators don’t out possibly transgender students to their parents.
🔔 UPDATE #2: HB 1 was not voted on today. The vote will not happen until the Alabama Legislature returns from next week's recess. This means that it can be voted on starting Feb. 24.
This means you can still tell the House Judiciary to vote 'NO' on HB 1.https://t.co/Tn87e1T4x4
— ACLU of Alabama (@ACLUAlabama) February 10, 2021
"SB 10 is wholly dangerous and irresponsible, particularly at a time when the importance of qualified and non-exclusionary medical professionals is more evident than ever, and children are already struggling under the circumstances of this pandemic."https://t.co/jINHWHtz0P
— ACLU of Alabama (@ACLUAlabama) February 10, 2021
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