Kansas families and doctors - not politicians - should make decisions on trans kids | Opinion
It is time for us, as residents of Kansas, to remind our legislators that we elected them to work for us and not for out-of-state special interests. I would like to address the testimony given with respect to Senate Bill 63 on Jan. 28. This legislation is titled the Help Not Harm Act, and its aim is to ban medical treatment for minors with gender dysphoria.
I am not going to tell anyone how to feel about health care for transgender minors. I will however ask that you consider whether you think the government has any business getting in between parents and their children when it comes to their health care. Imagine if you, a relative or a friend had a child come forward saying that they are transgender. If this bill is enacted, there will be nowhere for them to get medical help in Kansas.
Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson praised those who spoke in favor of the bill without mentioning that in the last two years, only one person who has actually received treatment for gender dysphoria has testified in support of banning health care for transgender minors. That person is Chloe Cole, a paid employee of the out-of-state interest group Do No Harm. She received treatment in her home state of California. Masterson also failed to mention the four successful young transgender Kansans who testified that the treatments for gender dysphoria they received as minors were incredibly beneficial to their quality of life.
As the proud father of a transgender daughter, I am also in a position to dispute the claims by Cole and the others who gave oral testimony. My wife, my daughter and our doctors made decisions regarding her care together. Our doctors made the risks associated with the treatment very clear to all of us.
We were also told that there was no option for surgery on a minor. Today, my daughter is a college graduate, with a great group of friends, working hard at two jobs trying to make her way through this world.
Masterson also did not mention that testimony in support of the bill was provided by the Heritage Foundation — a think tank from Washington, D.C. — as well as a case worker from Missouri, and a pediatric endocrinologist from out of state. In fact the only people from Kansas who spoke in support of the bill were a representative from the Christian 501(c)(4) nonprofit Kansas Family Voice, a representative from Kansas Catholic Conference, and a doctor who does not treat transgender minors. You can look up all this testimony on the committee website and do your own research on what these people and organizations stand for.
The people our legislators should listen to with respect to this condition are doctors who treat gender dysphoria, parents whose children have received treatment, and transgender Kansans. Out-of-state special interests should not be part of this discussion. If you, as a resident of Kansas, happen to find yourself with a loved one diagnosed with gender dysphoria, you will need help from local doctors, and might want advice from others who have been through this treatment. While people who have had this experience will be around, medical professionals will not be able to provide advice to you if this bill becomes law.
Please contact your state legislators and tell them not to let S.B. 63 become law. We need to rely on medical professionals — not politicians and think tanks — to help us understand our children’s health.