Missouri Upholds Controversial Transgender Medical Care Ban for Minors
Last week, a judge in Missouri declined to halt a new state law that prohibits transgender medical care for minors, allowing it to go into effect this week. This decision has sparked debate among those who believe that government should not interfere in private medical decisions.
A recent poll conducted in the state revealed widespread support for the new law, as well as another law that prevents transgender high school athletes from competing in sports outside their assigned gender at birth.
The poll, conducted by St. Louis University/YouGov, found that 63% of Missourians support banning puberty blockers and other hormone therapy for patients under the age of 18. Additionally, 73% of respondents favored the new ban on gender-transition surgery for minors. These numbers highlight the discrepancy between public opinion and the recognition of gender dysphoria as a legitimate psychological distress by professional organizations such as the Mayo Clinic and the American Psychiatric Association.
It is crucial to consider the context when evaluating these numbers. Surgical procedures for transgender minors are extremely rare, with only approximately 200 recorded in the entire country in 2021. This pales in comparison to the thousands of cosmetic breast surgeries undergone by non-trans adolescent girls each year.
The main issue at hand for young transgender patients is hormone therapy. However, it is important to note that hormone treatments are not offered to just any rebellious teen going through a phase. Strict standards observed by organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics require counseling and analysis to differentiate between genuine gender dysphoria and the usual challenges faced during adolescence.
The stakes are high, as elevated depression and suicide rates have been documented among gender-dysphoric youths. A study published in the Lancet Child & Adolescent Health medical journal last year found that hospitalized transgender and nonbinary youths had attempted-suicide rates seven to 13 times higher than their non-trans counterparts.
Banning all forms of treatment for trans youths, as Missouri’s new law does, will undoubtedly have a detrimental impact on their lives and potentially result in tragic consequences. Therefore, it is crucial for activists to continue fighting to overturn this particular law, despite public opinion being against such a campaign.
Public education and philosophical arguments may be key in changing public perception of transgender medical care for minors. Proponents should emphasize that personal medical decisions should not be dictated by Big Government. It is also important to distinguish between the controversial issue of trans participation in high school sports and the issue of medical treatment for transgender youths. The former concerns fairness and affects all participants, while the latter is a private matter that should be decided by the individuals involved.
In conclusion, the decision to uphold the controversial transgender medical care ban for minors in Missouri has sparked debates and highlighted the disparity between public opinion and professional recognition of gender dysphoria. It is crucial to consider the implications of such a ban, as it deprives trans youths of potentially life-saving treatment. Activists will continue to fight against this law, advocating for the rights of transgender minors to make their own medical decisions.
