20 State Attorneys General Accuse Pediatricians Group of Promoting ‘Abusive’ Treatment for Gender Dysphoric Kids

A coalition of 20 state attorneys general, led by Idaho’s Raúl Labrador, has launched a significant challenge against the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), accusing the organization of endorsing "abusive" treatments for minors experiencing gender dysphoria. The AGs assert that the AAP’s support for medical interventions such as puberty blockers and gender-related surgeries violates consumer protection laws and misleads both parents and the public about the risks involved.

The letter, sent to AAP leadership, focuses on the potential harms associated with puberty blockers, which the pediatric group has promoted as “reversible” interventions. According to the AGs, these claims are misleading and downplay the possible long-term effects, which include damage to brain development, bone density, and metabolic health. Furthermore, they argue that gender-affirming surgeries, such as double mastectomies performed on young girls, can result in irreversible harm and lifelong consequences.

This is gender affirming care !!
Two women – cutting off their body parts so they can pretend they are men.

One day in the not too distant future all of this nonsense will go down as the worst medical industry scandal in history .

You can’t change sex and that’s a fact. pic.twitter.com/KmGn2fjp0M

— DONT LISTEN TO WORDS LOOK AT THE ACTIONS (@GeorgeHclownwrl) May 7, 2024

The pushback from the attorneys general comes at a time of growing debate over the appropriateness of medical treatments for gender dysphoria in minors. The AAP has been a prominent supporter of such interventions, claiming that they are evidence-based and beneficial for children suffering from gender-related distress. However, critics argue that the organization is ignoring significant evidence to the contrary. One of the key documents cited by the AGs is the 2024 "Cass Report," a comprehensive review from the UK's National Health Service. This report raised alarm about the irreversible effects of puberty blockers and questioned their widespread use, especially given the lack of long-term safety data.

Idaho’s Attorney General Labrador has been outspoken in his criticism, calling the endorsement of these treatments a form of "medical experimentation" on children. His letter points to the rising number of cases in which children have regretted undergoing medical transitions, often after experiencing permanent physical changes. Labrador and his counterparts are demanding transparency from the AAP, specifically requesting data to support the organization's claims that these procedures are safe and effective​.

The dark truth about the origins of gender ideology, gender changing surgeries, and New Zealand native John Money.

He based his research on the first research done by Bolshevik communists that the Germans cast out of the Weimar Republic in the 1930's. pic.twitter.com/DsskhCtdA5

— The MAGA Sheriff ⭐ (@MAGASheriff) September 25, 2024

Moreover, the AGs argue that the AAP has relied heavily on guidelines provided by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), an activist group. Internal communications from WPATH, as reported by investigative journalists, revealed that some of its members acknowledged the lack of scientific basis for certain recommendations. The AGs accuse the AAP of putting political activism over rigorous scientific analysis, making false claims about the reversibility and safety of gender-affirming treatments.

The letter from the attorneys general also questions the influence of political figures, such as Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine, on the AAP’s policies. It accuses the Biden administration of pressuring the organization to adopt more lenient age restrictions for transgender surgeries, further complicating an already controversial topic.

While the AAP has yet to respond publicly to the AGs’ allegations, this legal challenge is part of a broader movement to restrict access to gender-affirming care for minors in several states. Numerous states have passed or are considering laws that ban or severely limit these medical treatments for children, citing concerns over their safety and ethical implications. The legal action from the AGs could lead to further restrictions if it is determined that the AAP violated consumer protection laws by promoting treatments without full disclosure of their risks​.

The stakes in this debate are high, as both sides argue they are advocating for the best interests of children. Those supporting the AAP’s stance believe that denying these treatments could lead to increased rates of depression and suicide among transgender youth, while critics warn of the irreversible physical and psychological damage that could result from hasty medical decisions.