The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a once well-respected medical institution and authority on children’s health, has completely abandoned its mission in recent years and embraced the gender transitions of minors as medical care. As recently as last month, the AAP advocated for what they call a “gender-affirming model of care” for children, which includes cross-sex hormones, puberty blockers, and irreversible surgical procedures.
Last week, advocates gathered outside the AAP Convention in Anaheim, California to protest the gender transitions of children for the first-ever “First Do No Harm” Unity Rally. With the number of trans-identifying youth nearly doubling from 2017 to 2020, many parents, school districts, and medical professionals have bought into the lie that in order to save children, they must support their gender transitions.
The rally drew quite a diverse crowd of supporters, including Moms 4 Liberty, Gays Against Groomers, Lesbians United, Dykes on the Right, Parents for Ethical Care, Genspect, and several others. A live stream of the rally can be viewed here.
Chloe Cole, who underwent a double mastectomy at the age of 15, is now an outspoken critic of what she calls “medical violence.” She informed the crowd of a newly formed support group for detransitioners called Detrans United, comprised of “former transgender-identifying youth and adults who have come together to voice our dissent against ‘gender-affirming care,’ influence policy, and provide a network of support for detransitioners.” In a powerful speech at the rally, the 18-year-old recounted her story, starting with puberty blockers at the age of 13, the removal of her healthy breasts at 15, and then her decision to detransition at the age of 16.
Cole pointed out that the AAP’s stance on gender-affirming care runs counter to the recommendations of other countries such as Sweden, Finland, and the U.K., whose recommendations are based on a “systematic review of evidence.”
Detrans United sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland in which they condemn the politicization and medicalization of vulnerable gender-questioning youth:
The medical safeguarding of children should not be a political issue. Since truth is a prerequisite for justice, we must ensure that the already hot embers of political tribalism are not stoked. Children deserve the best evidence-based medical care available. Silencing the victims and critics of “gender-affirming” practices is not a pathway to truth and justice, but to ignorance and harm.
The rally drew many protestors, including those who screamed insults at Abigail Martinez, a California mother who lost her teenage daughter to suicide after she started to medically transition.
Jeannette, Jennifer, Cat, and Daisy, who were all subjects of IWF’s Identity Crisis series, attended the rally. You can learn about their stories here.