Aiexpress – Nearly 400 medical professionals in West Virginia have expressed their strong condemnation of a bill currently advancing in the state House of Delegates. The bill aims to prevent transgender youth, who are at risk for suicide, from accessing crucial medical interventions such as hormone therapy. In a letter, these medical professionals have voiced their concerns about the potential harmful impact that this bill could have on the well-being and mental health of transgender youth in the state.
The proposal was advanced to the full chamber by a House committee on Friday. It seeks to impose a complete ban on minors’ access to hormone therapy and puberty blockers. This move would eliminate a narrow exemption that was passed by lawmakers last year. The exemption currently allows children who are at risk for self-harm and suicide to receive necessary care.
A group of healthcare professionals and students, including doctors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and medical students, have signed a letter published by Fairness West Virginia, the state’s sole LGBTQ advocacy organization.
Fairness West Virginia Communications Director, Jack Jarvis, announced that the organization intends to present the letter to delegates at the state Capitol in Charleston on Tuesday, just one day prior to the scheduled vote on the bill.
According to him, the overwhelming response from healthcare professionals within the first 72 hours since the bill was passed by the House Health and Human Resources Committee speaks volumes.
Jarvis expressed his astonishment at the unprecedented speed with which this level of support has been mobilized. He emphasized that healthcare providers in the state fully comprehend the imminent dangers posed by the bill and recognize the high stakes involved.
According to the letter, around 2% of teenagers in the United States identify as transgender, and within a year, approximately one-third of them may attempt suicide. However, research indicates that transgender youths who undergo gender-affirming hormone therapy have significantly reduced odds, by 73%, of contemplating suicide.
The letter emphasizes that in numerous situations, this care has the potential to save lives.
In recent years, a growing number of states, approximately 23, have passed legislation that places restrictions or outright bans on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. These laws have faced significant legal challenges. Advocates of these measures, including lawmakers in West Virginia and other states, argue that gender-affirming treatments are medically unproven, potentially dangerous, and representative of what they perceive as “woke” culture.
Gender-affirming care for youths is supported by every major medical organization, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychiatric Association.
Lead Sponsor Republican Del. Geoff Foster expressed his belief that the law would be more effective in reducing suicide rates by eliminating the exemption. He stated that the revised version of the law would be “more clear and concise” and emphasized the importance of providing treatment for depression.
According to him, while he may not support the idea of individuals undergoing hormone therapy or puberty blockers, he acknowledges that individuals who are 18 years and older have the autonomy to make their own decisions, unlike children.
According to Takubo, a physician, there have been numerous peer-reviewed studies that indicate a decrease in rates of suicide ideation and attempts among young individuals with severe gender dysphoria who had access to medication therapy.
Gender dysphoria is a term used by medical professionals to describe the intense psychological distress that individuals experience when there is a mismatch between their gender identity and the sex they were assigned at birth.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. You can also text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for more support options.
If you are a LGBTQ young person in crisis, feeling suicidal or in need of a safe and non-judgmental space to talk, please reach out to the TrevorLifeline at 1-866-488-7386 or the Rainbow Youth Project at 1-317-643-4888. They are here to support you.
