Intro

This week Arkansas became the first state to outlaw gender-affirming health care for transgender youth, as the state legislature overrode a veto by Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Hutchinson tells NPR why he opposed the bill, which will become law later this summer.

Dr. Joshua Safer, the executive director at Mount Sinai's Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, explains why gender-affirming therapies — such as puberty blockers or hormone treatment — are safe and healthy for trans youth.

Misconceptions about trans people can be shaped by who tells their stories. Three trans journalists weigh in on how that should be done:

Imara Jones is the creator of TransLash Media.
Kate Sosin is a reporter at The 19th.
Orion Rummler is a reporter at Axios.

In participating regions, you'll also hear from local journalists about what's happening in your community.

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