Politics


Trans Issues Hound Democrat Eyeing White House in 2028


Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear tries to distance himself from gender reassignment controversy.


K BY VAN CHARLES


entucky gov. andy bes- hear’s attempt to paint him- self as a moderate Democrat eyeing a possible presiden-


tial run in 2028 is off to a rocky start. Beshear, who twice won the gover-


norship in a deep red state, has taken a pounding from state Republicans over his administration’s proposal for tax- payers to fund sex change operations and hormone treatments for prison inmates and force prison staff to use an inmate’s preferred pronouns. “Kentuckians aren’t interested in


paying for hormone therapy or trans- gender surgeries for people who have been found guilty of committing crimes against the commonwealth,” said Damon Thayer, Republican state Sen- ate majority leader. The proposal would add Kentucky


to a small list of states that provide taxpayer-funded gender reassignment surgery for inmates, including Illi- nois, Washington, Idaho, California, and Massachusetts. Since 2017, taxpayers in California


have shelled out more than $4 million for sex changes and cosmetic enhance- ments for inmates, including four on death row, according to The Washing- ton Free Beacon. That included $2.5 million on vagi- noplasties and hundreds of thousands of dollars on fake breasts, laser hair removal, and facial feminization. Federal prison guidelines allow for taxpayer-funded sex changes, hor- mone therapy, and a litany of other cosmetic procedures, which will like-


46 NEWSMAX | FEBRUARY 2025


ly change with Donald Trump now back as president. During his campaign, Trump vowed


to end federal funding for sex changes and deny funds to any federal agency that promotes ideas related to gender transitioning or transgender people. Trump’s campaign promise resonat-


ed with voters, making the revelation that Beshear’s administration would allow sex change operations a problem for him and his party as it seeks a can- didate capable of winning swing states and moderates. As Kentucky Republicans and


religious groups pounded the Demo- crat governor for his administration’s proposed prison regulations, Beshear quickly attempted to distance himself from the controversy. “The governor does not support


the inclusion of gender-reassignment surgeries for incarcerated felons in the


PAYING THE PRICE T


axpayer-funded gender change operations for prisoners come


with a hefty price tag and go well beyond having sex organs removed. For a biological man transitioning


to become a woman, the basic cost of gender reassignment surgery can be as high as $80,000. In addition: Cosmetically, a tracheal shave to


reduce an Adam’s apple: $900 Cheek implants: $1,100 Chin feminization: $1,600 Jawline feminization: $1,600 Forehead feminization: $12,500 Voice feminization: $1,500 Total: $99,200


regulation,” a spokesperson told the Lexington Herald-Leader. “Federal law requires many of the


practices contained in the draft reg- ulation, and the governor recognizes that LGBTQ inmates may be at height- ened risk for violence, but convicted felons do not have the right to have any and all medical surgeries paid for by state taxpayers.” David Walls, executive director of


The Family Foundation, said Beshear’s previous actions tell a fully different story, pointing to legislation passed by the Kentucky House and Senate that banned medical procedures for minors with gender dysphoria as well as requir- ing athletes to play on teams according to their biological sex. Beshear vetoed that legislation,


but it was overturned by Republican supermajorities in both chambers. “Beshear was opposed to that effort throughout,” said Walls, noting that when Beshear vetoed banning those procedures for minors, he said he “opposed the surgeries but agreed with everything else” in the legislation. Walls said Beshear cannot logically


support providing hormones and cos- metic procedures for inmates and stop short at sex change operations. “He can’t have it both ways,” said


Walls. “The whole thing is a funnel. You get kids on puberty blockers, then hor- mones, and the surgery is the last part of it.” Walls said it’s obvious that Beshear is ducking the issue as he tries to posi- tion himself for a presidential run. “He was on board with the Biden-


Harris efforts on LGBTQ issues from the start,” said Walls. “He’s making a stink about it now because he’s realizing they’re out of step with the average American.”


TAYLOR HILL/WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES


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