A transgender attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union who supports sex change surgery for children claimed kids as young as 2 know they’re trans while also apparently acknowledging that they’re too young to consent to the procedures.
In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper Tuesday, Chase Strangio spoke about the ongoing challenge to Tennessee’s ban on “trans youth health care” including surgeries and puberty blockers, which he will argue before the Supreme Court later this week.
When Tapper asked how Strangio would respond to those who worry the jury is still out regarding medical treatment for gender-questioning youths, he insisted there was plenty of supporting data, and claimed even kids 10 or younger are in dire need of “relief” from the suffering they endure.
Transgender ACLU attorney Chase Strangio discussed an upcoming case involving Tennessee’s ban on puberty blockers and transgender surgeries for minors. CNN
Strangio insisted there was enough information to prove they helped kids and even some children under 10 need this “relief” from suffering. UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images“These are not doctors being forced to provide this medication,” Strangio said. “These are doctors who are wanting to treat their patients in the best way that they know how based on the best available evidence to us.”
He added that even toddlers are capable of being aware of their gender identities.
Minors cannot legally consent to medical procedures and Strangio acknowledged this protection while trying to appeal to parental rights. NurPhoto via Getty Images“And these are young people who may have known since they were two years old exactly who they are, who suffered for six or seven years before they had any relief,” he said.
In cases where children do go through with gender reassignment surgery, Strangio said the decision ultimately lies with parents.
“It’s not the kids who are consenting to this treatment. It’s the parents who are consenting to the treatment,” he said.
Strangio claimed that if the Supreme Court sides with Tennessee, it could open the door for bans on transgender treatments for adults. UCG/Universal Images Group via G“And as a parent, I would say when our children are suffering, we are suffering.”
US v. Skrmetti will be the first time the high court has considered restrictions on puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgery for minors.
Strangio asserts that if Tennessee’s ban is allowed to stand, it will set a precedent that could lead to bans on trans treatments for adults down the line.
“I think that‘s one of the things we should be really concerned about. We‘re hearing a lot about young people can‘t consent to this care, but it is their parents consenting to this care,” Strangio said.
“And at the end of the day, we have adults who live as transgender people, people like myself, who have families who are part of communities, who are part of this society. And if the incoming administration bans our health care, that is essentially excising us from this country.”
The Volunteer State is one of more than 20 US states that have moved to restrict access to gender transition medical treatments to minors.
