There is a legal battle right now that centers on children. The so-called \u201cpro-life\u201d lawmakers are creating anti-LGBTQ legislation at rapid speed, wreaking havoc on the healthcare system and sacrificing the nation\u2019s children for their legislative goals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you haven\u2019t been paying attention to the news in the past few years, that might sound a bit extreme. But let\u2019s look at some facts:\u00a0<\/p>\n
NBC News reported that in 2021 there were a total of 191 anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed. Out of those, 153 were specifically anti-trans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In 2022, just between January and March, there were already 238 anti-LGBTQ+ bills file, and 154 of those were specifically anti-trans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In Utah, one lawmaker proposed a ban on trans surgery for kids (which usually doesn\u2019t happen anyway) and places limits on gender-affirming medical care (hormones, etc). Governor Greg Abbott of Texas proposed a bill that equates gender-affirming care with child abuse, and suggests everyone report parents and medical professionals suspected of supporting their trans kids to Child Protective Services.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the truth about gender-affirming medical care and gender-affirming families: they are lifesaving.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Trevor Project published their 2021 mental health study, which reported \u201cTransgender and non-binary youth who reported having pronouns respected by all the people they lived with attempted suicide at half the rate of those who did not have their pronouns respected by anyone with whom they lived.\u201d Lower rates of suicide attempts were also reported among those who were able to change their drivers license and birth certificates.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gender-affirming care in the home and in the doctor\u2019s office is statistically proven to lower suicide rates. It is absolutely pro-life care.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Someone needs to tell Governor Abbott that the real child abuse is treating a child in such a way that increases their risk of suicide.\u00a0<\/p>\n