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New law bans some medical treatments for transgender youth By DELANEY TARR delaney@appenmedia.com ATLANTA — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has signed a bill co-sponsored by state senators in Alpharetta and Roswell that will limit medical care for transgender minors. Senate Bill 140, signed into law March 23, was co-sponsored by 23 Republican state senators. The law bans medical procedures for transgender minors including genital reassignment surgeries and hormone replacement therapies. Transgender youth will still have access to puberty blockers prior to turning 18. The law will take effect July 1. Minors already receiving hormone therapy will be allowed to continue treatment. The bill passed the Senate 31-21. State Sens. John Albers (R-Roswell) and Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) cosponsored and voted for the bill. Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) voted for the bill. Sen. Josh McLaurin (D-Sandy Springs) voted against the legislation. Beach said he co-sponsored and voted for the bill because people should be 18 or older to make certain medical decisions. “Before the age of 18, I don’t think a child is ready to make decisions that are permanent, and that’s what would happen if we hadn’t passed this bill,” Beach said. A press representative for Senator Albers said he was unavailable for comment. The law is based on a “significant rise in diagnoses of gender dysphoria in children” in the past decade, which the bill said often does not last into adulthood. According to the American Psychiatric Association, gender
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SHELBY ISRAEL/APPEN MEDIA
Forsyth County Commission chairman Alfred John speaks at the annual State of the County Address at the Forsyth County Conference Center March 28. John delivered remarks on the county’s economic growth and development in 2022.
Commission chairman sets upbeat tone in 2023 State of Forsyth County Address By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Commission Chairman Alfred John set a positive tone for the future to hundreds of guests at the annual State of the County Address March 28. John said the county anticipates a great year following low crime statistics and booming economic growth in 2022. He said the county is one of the
fastest growing, most highly successful and most attractive communities in the country, which prompted the theme of the program: “We deliver.” “Forsyth County staff and commissioners strive to deliver on the promises we have made to create a better community today, all the while keeping an eye on the vision for a better tomorrow,” John said. The hour-long address at the Forsyth County Conference Center
was interspersed with clips of county businesses and agencies, which John credited for the success and growth. John said county first responders saw a 16 percent increase in salaries since January, and crime rates have lowered. He listed crime statistics from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office for 2022:
24-year-old arrested for felony evasion
County library plans for strategic future
April Real Estate Report
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