Joe Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a video starring Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine, a transgender woman who lived most of his adult life as a biological male, conversing with transgender activist and musician Ryan Cassata. This move represents the latest instance of the federal government’s support for controversial measures like puberty blockers, hormones, and gender-transition surgeries, often collectively referred to as “gender-affirming care.”
Levine talked with Cassata about the so-called “challenges” experienced by transgender individuals. The former applauds Cassata’s life-altering decision to undergo a mastectomy, lauding the “outstanding” children’s hospitals where such procedures are executed. Levine’s stance is consistent with the overarching Biden administration’s perspective on the subject.
Should be a video highlighting the mental illness crisis in America. https://t.co/ymLo8SdmFL
— Brie Grey 🇺🇸 🔥❄️ (@brigrey1005) June 24, 2023
The highest-ranking transgender official in the administration, Levine recently declared the “Summer of Pride” to celebrate it “all summer long,” aligning with HHS’s goal to ensure a healthier future for “ALL” people.
Yet, this approach appears to dismiss substantial reservations expressed by seasoned professionals and politicians alike. Dr. Stanley Goldfarb of the Do No Harm organization contradicted Levine’s assertion, citing that there is “no good evidence that children treated with gender-altering hormones or puberty blockers improved mental health assessments.”
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) also highlighted the potentially harmful implications of “gender-affirming care,” pointing to its impact on children’s bone growth, fertility, and cancer risk. Florida’s medical boards, too, have recognized these potential hazards, voting last year to ban such procedures on minors.
In stark contrast, Levine has maintained a strident pro-transgender stance, describing “gender-affirming care” as “healthcare,” “mental healthcare,” and “suicide prevention care.” This perspective, however, does not fully acknowledge the voices of those who regret undergoing gender transition procedures. Feeling “mutilated” and like an “experiment gone wrong,” such individuals lament the loss of their natural characteristics. These narratives starkly contrast the HHS’s narrative, illuminating the potential pitfalls of such life-altering decisions made in youth.
While the Biden administration continues to express support for the LGBT community, it remains imperative to examine the potential consequences of this pro-transgender advocacy. As we navigate this contentious landscape, a balanced conversation that respects the health and well-being of all individuals, particularly children, is crucial.
