Health Care Providers Urge The National Governors Association to Oppose Anti-Transgender Youth Medical Bans
More than 1,600 medical, mental and behavioral health providers across the country have signed an open letter to the National Governors Association in opposition to the introduction of the more than 25 anti-trans bills that would ban medically necessary, life-saving, gender-affirming care for transgender youth being proposed in 13 states.
“This is irresponsible policymaking that directly harms trans youth and their families across this nation,” the letter says. “Anti-trans medical ban bills are unwarranted and will have a direct harmful impact on our communities, both patients and health care professionals.”
The letter urges governors to oppose these bills as they will allow government officials unwarranted interference in health care decisions that should be made with trans youth, their families and their health care providers.
The letter was organized by the National Center for Transgender Equality and GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality.
“Every child deserves the love and support of the family and community. Dangerous proposals around the country are putting transgender young people at risk,” said Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, deputy executive director for the National Center for Transgender Equality. “Elected officials need to listen to transgender youth, their families and health care providers about the very real harm these proposals are causing.”
GLMA President Scott Nass, MD, MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS added: “We're grateful to all the health professionals who have used their voices to set the record straight on this dangerous legislation. It's critical that lawmakers hear from us that these attacks on trans dignity and lives are based on distorted science and go against the consensus of leading health professional associations, including GLMA.”
If you are a health care provider and are interested in signing on to this on-going open letter, you are invited to do so at bit.ly/NoMedicalBans
