The recent paper released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, amplified by figures like Dr. Oz, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and others whose medical credibility on transgender health deserves serious scrutiny, is being weaponized for political ends rather than grounded in responsible medical consensus.
Its embrace by Donald Trump makes the motivation unmistakable: yet another attempt to marginalize a small and vulnerable community for political gain.
Let’s be clear about what is happening. This is not science leading policy — it is politics attempting to override established medical expertise and lived reality.
Major medical organizations across the United States and around the world continue to recognize gender-affirming care as legitimate, evidence-based healthcare.
Selectively elevating dissenting voices while ignoring the broader body of research is not debate; it is distortion.
And let us be equally clear about something else: the transgender community is not disappearing.
We are not a talking point, and we are not a convenient target.
We are neighbors, families, workers, veterans, and citizens.
Attempts to erase or silence us will fail because our existence is not subject to political approval.
This community will stand up.
We will speak out. We will organize, advocate, and participate fully in the democratic process.
We will use our voices, our visibility, and our votes to demand dignity, truth, and equal protection under the law.
We are still here.
We are not going away. And we will remain relevant — not because permission was granted, but because our humanity is undeniable.
You raise crucial inaccuracies, contradictions and omissions in the ASPS's pronouncement.
I too was struck by their ASPS's decision to use age 19 as the cut off. Why not 18? Because the pronouncement has once intended audience, Donald Trump.
Has anyone pointed out to these morons at ASPS that almost every procedure that they do, form botox to body sculpting, is a form of gender affirming care? At least, now anti trans conservatives can't argue that we trans folk are all victims of a transgender medical Industrial complex.
As well they should! Unless the actual guidelines as to what is acceptable care are formally and on the basis of evidence changed -- and there is no basis for that -- this only exposes members to spurious lawsuits over nothing!
I hope for them the next year sees a compete change of ASPS leadership.
Glad to see you note the arbitrary nature of designating 19 as the age after which surgeries can take place. Does this age limit appear anywhere prior to the executive order?
Now do an article on the AMA and what was behind their horrendous statement agreeing with the ASPS!
The recent paper released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, amplified by figures like Dr. Oz, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and others whose medical credibility on transgender health deserves serious scrutiny, is being weaponized for political ends rather than grounded in responsible medical consensus.
Its embrace by Donald Trump makes the motivation unmistakable: yet another attempt to marginalize a small and vulnerable community for political gain.
Let’s be clear about what is happening. This is not science leading policy — it is politics attempting to override established medical expertise and lived reality.
Major medical organizations across the United States and around the world continue to recognize gender-affirming care as legitimate, evidence-based healthcare.
Selectively elevating dissenting voices while ignoring the broader body of research is not debate; it is distortion.
And let us be equally clear about something else: the transgender community is not disappearing.
We are not a talking point, and we are not a convenient target.
We are neighbors, families, workers, veterans, and citizens.
Attempts to erase or silence us will fail because our existence is not subject to political approval.
This community will stand up.
We will speak out. We will organize, advocate, and participate fully in the democratic process.
We will use our voices, our visibility, and our votes to demand dignity, truth, and equal protection under the law.
We are still here.
We are not going away. And we will remain relevant — not because permission was granted, but because our humanity is undeniable.
Terrific reporting, S. Baum.
You raise crucial inaccuracies, contradictions and omissions in the ASPS's pronouncement.
I too was struck by their ASPS's decision to use age 19 as the cut off. Why not 18? Because the pronouncement has once intended audience, Donald Trump.
Has anyone pointed out to these morons at ASPS that almost every procedure that they do, form botox to body sculpting, is a form of gender affirming care? At least, now anti trans conservatives can't argue that we trans folk are all victims of a transgender medical Industrial complex.
As well they should! Unless the actual guidelines as to what is acceptable care are formally and on the basis of evidence changed -- and there is no basis for that -- this only exposes members to spurious lawsuits over nothing!
I hope for them the next year sees a compete change of ASPS leadership.
Glad to see you note the arbitrary nature of designating 19 as the age after which surgeries can take place. Does this age limit appear anywhere prior to the executive order?