Former Vice President Mike Pence, a self-proclaimed Christian, seems to have disregarded the Biblical commandment against lying. In a recent address to Republicans in Iowa, Pence made false statements about President Joe Biden’s 2022 State of the Union Address, all while attacking the rights of transgender individuals.
During the event, an audience member asked Pence for his stance on transgender athletes and their access to restrooms. In response, Pence declared that he would ban transgender female athletes from participating in girls’ sports teams. He also promised to implement a nationwide ban on gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth. To justify his position, Pence lied about a statement made by President Biden during his State of the Union Address.
Pence falsely claimed that Biden had promised to defend the God-given right of men to compete in women’s sports. However, what Biden had actually said was that the onslaught of state laws targeting transgender Americans was wrong and that he would always have the back of younger transgender Americans so they could be themselves and reach their God-given potential.
During his address, Pence emphasized his belief that participation in women’s sports should be limited to individuals’ assigned gender at birth. He also criticized what he called the transgender ideology of the radical left, claiming it had taken hold in schools. Pence went so far as to falsely state that underage students in Iowa could obtain a gender transition plan from school nurses without their parents’ knowledge. This claim is entirely untrue.
In reality, the Biden administration has only required federally funded schools to accommodate transgender youth by allowing them to use pronouns and facilities that align with their gender identities. Schools are not authorized to issue any form of gender transition plan but rely on medical professionals outside of school affiliations to create such plans for transgender youth.
It is worth noting that Pence’s group, Advancing American Freedom, launched a campaign in February 2023 attacking transgender-inclusive policies in Iowa schools. During a speech at the University of Virginia in April 2022, Pence used the same false claim about Biden’s State of the Union address while criticizing transgender collegiate swimmer Lia Thomas for winning a race at the NCAA championship.
Despite Pence’s pledge to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth, similar bans have been consistently defeated in federal courts. Furthermore, these bans contradict the best-care practices recommended by major medical associations such as the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
In conclusion, former Vice President Mike Pence has been caught in a web of lies while attacking transgender individuals’ rights. His false statements regarding President Biden’s State of the Union address and the availability of gender transition plans for underage students only serve to spread misinformation. It is imperative that accurate information and the perspectives of affected individuals be considered when discussing policies that impact the lives of transgender youth.
