Senate Dems Double Down on Transgender Discussions with Reintroduced Bill
Report from Trump's HHS on transgender surgery for kids lauded by The Washington Post, arguing for prudence and careful consideration
In a bold move, Senate Democrats have rekindled discussions about gender identity by resurrecting a bill aiming to designate it as a federally protected characteristic. Jayme Franklin, CEO of The Conservateur, shares his thoughts on this reemergence.
The Washington Post's editorial board recently supported the Trump administration for publishing a comprehensive analysis on transgender surgeries for minors, a topic stirring controversy among scientists.
"Kudos to the administration for addressing the long-overdue need for evidence on best practices," the Post commended on Sunday, lauding the Trump administration's decision to investigate the matter via the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). "They've directed the HHS secretary to publish a review of the existing literature on best practices within 90 days, and this review is now out."
The HHS report was prompted by President Donald Trump's January executive order, titled "Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation."
In the order, the administration argued that U.S. medical professionals perform "permanent and irreversible medical procedures" on impressionable children, based on the "radical and false" idea that adults can alter a child's gender via a series of irreversible surgeries.
*TRUMP ORDER RESTRICTING SEX-CHANGE PROCEDURES FOR MINORS IN LINE WITH 'DO NO HARM,' DOCTOR SAYS*
The Washington Post's editorial board recognized the Trump administration's stance but called for better understanding and reasonable discourse over the implications of intervening with the biological processes of children experiencing gender dysphoria.
"Critics have been merciless regarding the report's bias and deficiencies," the board acknowledged. "Yet, it raises legitimate concerns that policymakers should grapple with."
The HHS report echoes similar concerns raised by other scientific reviews, including in Britain1. It articulates grave worries about the scientific foundations for tampering with the natural growth of children, using clear and measured language.
Moreover, the report underscores the ethical quandaries involved in intervening in the sexual development of minors, who might not be sufficiently mature to make informed decisions about such significant transformations1.
*HEGSETH ORDERS DEADLINE FOR TRANS SERVICE MEMBERS TO LEAVE MILITARY: 'OUT AT THE DOD'*
The HHS report arrives in the wake of Trump's executive order addressing transgender surgeries, which states that the U.S. will not fund, promote, or support these procedures for minors2.
Trump's executive order asserts that children transitioning from one sex to another riskinfertility, sexual dysfunction, and psychiatric disorders2. It also warns of the potential for lifelong medical complications and sterilization.
HHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment from our website.
our website's Kendall Tietz contributed to this report.
Jeffrey Clark, an associate editor for our website, has served as a speechwriter for a cabinet secretary and as a Fulbright teacher in South Korea. Clark graduated from the University of Iowa in 2019 with a degree in English and History.
Story tips can be sent to [email protected].
- The reintroduced Senate bill aims to protect transgender rights, sparking discussions in the realm of politics and policy-and-legislation.
- A controversial topic among scientists, transgender surgeries for minors was recently reviewed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as per Trump's executive order.
- In the order, President Donald Trump argued against the 'radical and false' idea that adults can alter a child's gender via surgeries, citing potential health risks such as infertility, sexual dysfunction, and psychiatric disorders.
- The HHS report underscores the importance of mental-health, sexual-health, and general-news considerations when discussing interventions in the sexual development of minors.
