Democrats in Georgia have staged a walk-out in support of giving taxpayer-funded transgender surgery to male prison inmates who claim to be female.
Democrats staged a protest at the Georgia State Capitol on Wednesday.
They left the chamber in protest as lawmakers debated a bill that would end taxpayer-funded “sex change” surgeries for state prison inmates.
The walkout occurred amid a heated debate over Senate Bill (SB) 185.
The legislation subsequently passed the House by a 100-2 vote.
All Democrats opted out of the vote through their departure, according to Fox Atlanta.
The bill received opposition solely from Georgia Democrat Reps. Regina Lewis-Ward and David Sampson.
They cast the only two ‘no’ votes while their colleagues walked out in protest.
The bill now awaits Republican Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature.
SB 185 prohibits the use of state funds for transgender treatments for state inmates in Georgia.
Those treatments include so-called “sex change” surgeries, hormone replacement therapies, and cosmetic procedures designed to alter sexual characteristics.
Exceptions are allowed for medically necessary treatments unrelated to gender dysphoria, specific congenital conditions, partial androgen insensitivity syndrome, and for continuing pre-existing hormone therapies solely for transitional purposes.
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The bill was introduced on the House floor