According to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary Rachel Levine, medical interventions such as hormone therapy may be necessary for children who are experiencing the "wrong puberty."
Levine made these remarks during an appearance on the ABC "Nightline" series, "Identity Denied: Trans in America." The episode featured a teenager who claimed to be under attack by Republican efforts to ban gender reassignment surgeries and drugs for minors across various states.
Levine dismissed concerns that children under the age of 18 are too young to consent to what the LGBTQ community refers to as "gender-affirming care." She emphasized that the treatment options for transgender youth are evidence-based. Levine stated, "Adolescence is hard and puberty is hard. What if you're going through the wrong puberty? What if you inside feel that you are female, but now you're going through a male puberty?"
As the highest-ranking openly transgender federal official in the country, Levine began experimenting with her gender identity during adulthood and fully transitioned to female at the age of 54 in 2011. In the ABC interview, Levine clarified that young children are not undergoing gender-related surgeries or procedures.
Instead, interventions such as hormone and speech therapies can help them explore their gender identity. Levine emphasized that for pre-pubertal children, no medical procedures are performed, and therapy is the standard of care.
Levine argued that these treatments are crucial for suicide prevention and that bans against them are unscientific and medically harmful. She stated, "Gender-affirming care is medical care. Gender-affirming care is mental health care. Gender-affirming care is literally suicide prevention care."
The clip of Levine's interview was shared on Twitter by Parents Defending Education President Nicki Neily, who questioned Levine's credibility as an expert. Neily asked, "This is the 'expert' parents are supposed to trust?"
In a previous interview, Levine expressed the belief that the government should not be involved in gender treatments for minors. She criticized the politically and ideologically motivated laws and actions that are sweeping the country, arguing that they are harming children.
Levine's statements highlight the ongoing debate surrounding gender-affirming care for minors. While some argue that these interventions are necessary and evidence-based, others express concerns about the age of consent and the potential long-term effects on children.
The discussion surrounding this issue is likely to continue as more states consider legislation related to gender reassignment surgeries and drugs for minors.
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