A group of Republican lawmakers is demanding that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide evidence to justify the administration’s support of what they describe as dangerous transgender medical procedures for minors.
The letter raising concerns over HHS’s support of the “life-altering” procedures—and the use of tax dollars to fund them—contrasts sharply with President Joe Biden’s support for “gender-affirming care.”
Shortly after his 2021 inauguration, Biden nominated as assistant secretary for health the openly transgender Adm. Rachel Levine.
Without mentioning Levine, Risch and his colleagues in both houses of Congress said they want assurance that the procedures are evidence-based and “not ideologically motivated.”
The lawmakers are asking HHS to answer seven questions within a month as they seek to ensure that the agency upholds “the moral responsibility it owes to parents and kids.”
Their questions probe HHS’s justification for interventions that can cause “permanent damage,” such as infertility, blood disorders, and bone deterioration.
‘Red’ States Versus ‘Blue’ Ones
Citing such harms, many Republican or “red” states across the country have passed or proposed bills that would curtail or ban the procedures for minors. “Blue,” or Democrat-dominant states, have either largely ignored the issue or taken steps to guarantee “access” to the procedures.Supporters of these interventions call them “life-saving,” asserting that youths with gender dysphoria may be suicidal over their perceived gender mismatch with their bodies. But opponents say there are no reliable studies that prove a long-term improvement in the mental health of such youths. They cite a 30-year Swedish study showing that transsexual adults had higher rates of depression and death from all causes, including suicide.
Jean-Pierre said this is the latest example of a “hateful” bill passed just before the Transgender Day of Visibility, “a day that we should be lifting up our trans kids, our trans youth, and making sure that they feel seen” and that these measures “attack” transgender youth and their parents.
“It is shameful. And it is unacceptable,” she said.
In Biden’s proclamation on the Transgender Day of Visibility, he said, “Transgender Americans shape our Nation’s soul—proudly serving in the military, curing deadly diseases, holding elected office ... and much more.”
He decried “a wave of discriminatory State laws,” saying the measures are “targeting transgender youth, terrifying families and hurting kids who are not hurting anyone.”
Transgender People Join Christians in Battle
Scott Newgent, a transgender person who’s female but appears male, fought for the passage of the Kentucky bill and many others like it. Newgent, whose health suffered tremendously after undergoing sex-reassignment procedures in adulthood, seeks to protect children from being taken down the same perilous path.Gays, lesbians, and transgender people have aligned with conservative Christians and others to protect children, according to Newgent, who’s opposed by increasingly militant transgender-rights activists.
Many Democrats privately oppose “trans-ing kids,” but they won’t admit it publicly, Newgent told The Epoch Times.
“Unfortunately, they won’t say anything because they are so worried about their career, just like the social media stars are,” Newgent said.
“Anyone who comes at this with an open mind” cannot support the medical transitioning of children after learning facts and dismissing “unicorn farts and glitter bombs.” That’s Newgent’s colorful shorthand for a strongly promoted fantasy: People are told that transitioning will solve all their problems.
After a temporary period of post-transition euphoria wears off, most people discover that their old issues remain—and they’re saddled with new ones, he said.
Newgent called upon Democrats to take a stand that protects children from more agony and soaring medical costs.
“If you are a Democrat and don’t come out against this because it is career suicide, you need to leave the political realm today,” Newgent said.
“You need to understand that you have influence over people, and you need to do the right thing. Regardless of whether it’s harder—especially about children.”