Alabama governor signs sweeping law banning medication for transgender youth

Republican Governor Kay Ivey signed sweeping legislation Friday that outlawed gender-affirming medications for transgender youth. Under the new law, doctors could face criminal penalties for prescribing puberty blockers or hormones to transgender youth under 19 years old.

"There are very real challenges facing our young people, especially with today's societal pressures and modern culture," Ivey said in a statement Friday. "I believe very strongly that if the Good Lord made you a boy, you are a boy, and if he made you a girl, you are a girl."

In addition to banning gender-affirming medications, the bill also prohibits gender transition surgeries, although doctors told lawmakers those are generally not done on minors. Violations are punishable by up to 10 years in prison.