Georgia House Democrats walk out in protest over bill banning gender-affirming care for inmates
Georgia House Democrats walk out
A rare scene at the state capital on Wednesday afternoon, two days before the end of this year's legislative session. House Democrats walked out of the House chamber. The walkout came in protest of a Republican-backed bill regarding gender-affirming care for prison inmates.
ATLANTA - Georgia House Democrats staged a dramatic walkout Wednesday as lawmakers debated a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for state prison inmates.
It marks a growing tensions over a slate of Republican-backed legislation targeting transgender residents.
Georgia House Democrats walk out
What we know:
The protest occurred during a debate over Senate Bill 185, which passed the House in a 100-2 vote. All Democrats abstained by leaving the chamber.
What is SB 185?
The backstory:
SB 185, sponsored by Sen. Randy Robertson, a Republican from Cataula, would prohibit the Georgia Department of Corrections from providing gender-affirming care to incarcerated individuals. According to Robertson, about five people currently incarcerated in Georgia receive such care.
Sen. Randy Robertson on SB 185
What they're saying:
According to Robertson, there are currently about five people who are incarcerated in Georgia who receive this care.
Georgia's transgender Senate bills
Big picture view:
This is one of several transgender Senate bills making their way through the legislature this session.
- Senate Bill 185 would ban gender-affirming care for state prison inmates.
- Republican lawmakers have also introduced transgender bills to prohibit gender-affirming care for state employees, prevent medical professionals from prescribing puberty blockers to children and teens and a bill to ban biological males from participating in girls' sports.
What's next:
The bill now goes to Governor Brian Kemp's desk for his signature or veto.
The Source: FOX 5's Deidra Dukes has been covering the 2025 Georgia Legislative Session.