Former Vice President Mike Pence has said that states should prohibit Americans under 18 from undergoing gender transition surgery. He also added his strong support for Republican efforts to target minors who are transgender.
Pence, a Republican presidential candidate for 2024, announced his candidacy this week. He made the remarks during CNN’s most recent town-hall event. The former vice-president told Dana Bash, the event’s moderator, that while he supports restoring parents’ rights in schools and ending ‘politically correct rubbish,’ he doesn’t think a parent can decide if a child is allowed transition or to seek medical attention for gender dysphoria.
Pence said, “I am in favour of state legislation banning all gender-transition, chemical or surgical treatments, for children younger than 18.” “I am speaking as a grandfather and as a dad right now. It’s because you don’t allow children to get tattoos until 18.
Dana Bash on Pence proposing a total ban on gender transitions for minors: "You are so adamant about parents' rights, but in this particular case … [you think] that the parents should not be allowed to do that." pic.twitter.com/tGJmxJdGAP
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 8, 2023
Bash pressed Pence over his previous comments about parents being in control of the messages their kids hear at school and asked what he would say to trans children who felt that Republican efforts were limiting access to medical care.
His response: “Just wait.”
“I’d tell them I love everyone.” I’d wrap my arm around both them and their parents. He said he would tell them to wait before undergoing any chemical or surgical treatment. “Most people are under 18 years old. There’s a good reason we have this age cut-off in all categories.
“You don’t even know what your life is about.” You don’t know who you are. You need to be an adult.
Pence then claimed that mental health professionals agreed with his statement. This is not true.
Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association have stated that this type of care is medically required for trans kids. The American Medical Association also said it should be up to parents, doctors, and children to decide on care, not legislators. Medical experts have long said accessing care saves lives, but recent efforts to limit those services have already negatively impacted the mental health of trans youth.
But the former vice-president said there was a “radical gender ideology” “underfoot” in America that had taken over schools and universities.
Pence stated, “Adults can live how they choose, but children will be protected from radical gender ideology.” “The state is responsible for ensuring that children are protected from radical gender ideologies,” Pence said. [their] Safety, health, and the well-being of all.”
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