Eric Gisler, a candidate for Georgia State House District 121, has publicly expressed his support for gender-affirming care and opposition to Georgia bills that restrict it. He also criticized fellow Democrats for shifting right on this issue. This statement was made on Facebook.
“These bills that are in the Georgia state legislature right now, they don’t really help anyone,” said Eric Dissler, Former Candidate, according to Facebook. “Most people in the middle, politically, don’t care one way or another. They should be treated with dignity and respect.”
According to Branch, a candidate profile website, Gisler supports LGBTQ+ rights in healthcare and advocates for continued access to gender-affirming care. He has been particularly critical of anti-transgender bills introduced in the Georgia Assembly, such as Senate Bills 30, 39, and 185. These bills propose limiting puberty blockers and gender-affirming care for minors and incarcerated individuals in state prisons while prohibiting State Health Benefit Plans and Medicaid from covering such care. Gisler also mentions his connections with groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Georgia Equality, which support LGBTQ+ rights.
An AP-NORC polling report found that 68% of Americans believe a person’s gender is determined by the sex listed on their birth certificate. Additionally, about two-thirds of respondents oppose taxpayer-funded programs like Medicare and Medicaid covering gender-affirming care for minors. The survey also indicated that 52% approved of President Trump’s handling of transgender issues.
A policy report from the Independent Women’s Forum outlined serious risks associated with gender-transition interventions in adolescents, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries. The report highlights potential long-term harms such as loss of fertility and sexual function, osteoporosis, cardiovascular problems, and irreversible physical changes. A federal analysis by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services echoed these concerns about the safety and evidence base for these interventions in minors.
Restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors have expanded rapidly across the United States as lawmakers address medical and ethical concerns about transitioning youth. As of mid-2025, 27 states have enacted laws banning or sharply limiting such medical care for transgender minors. Data from the Human Rights Campaign indicates that approximately 40% of an estimated 300,000 transgender-identifying youth aged 13–17 now reside in states with these bans.
Gisler is a Georgia native who grew up in Atlanta and has lived in District 121 since 2003. He earned his degree from the University of Georgia in Athens. Professionally, he has worked in financial services technology and currently serves as Head of Product at an insurance technology startup while owning a local shop selling olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Gisler describes himself as a collaborative leader focused on healthcare access, public education affordability, election integrity, and what he terms “personal freedoms” for working families in Georgia.
