Two recent Iowa laws strip human rights from transgender youth (and their parents). Supporters claim the laws are meant to “protect children.” But which children do they protect?
One law bans gender-affirming healthcare for transgender minors. Supporters say gender-affirming care is “experimental” and that long-term effects are unknown. This is despite the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recommending gender-affirming healthcare for transgender kids. Once again, Iowa lawmakers pooh-pooh science and claim to know more than medical professionals.
The other law prevents trans students from using school bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identities. Supporters claim the law protects the privacy of girls from boys “pretending” to be girls. This is an uninformed, dangerous view of transgender people unsupported by evidence.
These laws tell trans kids that they are misguided, that their existence is invalid, and that they are a danger to “normal” cisgender kids. These laws do nothing to solve the non-issues they’re supposed to address. They serve only to appease voters who probably wouldn’t know about transgender people were it not for politicians and conservative media painting them as a societal threat.
What are the known results of stigmatizing trans kids and denying them the specialized healthcare they need to develop? Bullying, depression, anxiety, self-harm, poor school performance, dropping out, and yes, suicide.
I agree children need a safe and nurturing environment in which to grow. But we must not “protect” some children while harming others.