Nonprofit Requests Communications Between Do No Harm and Missouri Lawmakers Regarding Transgender Surgery Bill
Luz María Henríquez (@StLouisAmerican/Twitter)
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has set its sights on Do No Harm, a medical group that opposes identity politics in the medical field, in its ongoing battle to support transgender surgeries for minors.
On Monday, the ACLU sent a public records request to Missouri Republican lawmaker Andrew Koenig regarding the state’s SAFE Act. This 2023 law prohibits doctors from performing transgender surgeries on minors. The ACLU’s request, obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, seeks communications between Missouri lawmakers and various activist groups, including Do No Harm. The requested communications should reference the law and other transgender-related terms such as “sex reassignment surgery,” “sex change,” and ”gender transition.”
This request is the latest effort by the ACLU to challenge laws in conservative states that ban sex change surgeries and other transgender treatments for minors. Despite the ACLU’s previous lawsuit to block the SAFE Act failing, the law went into effect in August. The nonprofit organization has also taken legal action against similar bills in Texas and Idaho, as well as state laws that prevent biological men from participating in women’s sports.
The ACLU did not respond to a request for comment. Luz María Henríquez, a California native who became the executive director of the ACLU’s Missouri chapter in 2020, filed the complaint on Monday.
Since its establishment in 2022, Do No Harm has achieved success in its mission to combat divisive trends in medicine, such as “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” and youth-focused gender ideology.
Representing thousands of medical professionals, the group published a report in 2022 criticizing the University of Florida College of Medicine’s “anti-racism” resources. These resources instructed “white allies” to “assume racism is everywhere, every day” and highlighted the admissions office’s commitment to “equity in healthcare.” Following the report’s release, the college removed these resources from its website.
Last year, Do No Harm filed a lawsuit against Pfizer over a fellowship program that exclusively accepted minorities and excluded whites and Asians. Although a federal judge initially dismissed the suit, Pfizer opened the fellowship to applicants of all races after Do No Harm appealed the decision.
“Do No Harm is pleased that Pfizer recognizes its blatant racial discrimination is unlawful and immoral,” said Stanley Goldfarb, the group’s chair and former associate dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Stanley Goldfarb is also the father of Free Beacon chairman Michael Goldfarb.
While the ACLU has been targeting bans on transgender treatments for minors nationwide, the majority of Americans support such laws. According to a Washington Postpoll released last year, 68 percent of U.S. adults oppose access to puberty blockers for children aged 10 to 14. The poll also found that 58 percent of Americans oppose access for those aged 15 to 17.
In the face of the ACLU’s public records request, can Do No Harm’s criticism of the organization be seen as an attempt to preserve free speech and open debate, or is it an obstruction to transparency and accountability
Equest for comment on their motivations behind targeting Do No Harm specifically. However, their ongoing advocacy for transgender rights and their opposition to laws they perceive as discriminatory provide context for their actions.
Do No Harm, founded by Dr. Michelle Cretella, is a medical group that aims to protect children from the potential harms of the transgender agenda. They argue that children should not be subjected to irreversible medical interventions, such as surgeries, until they are old enough to fully understand the implications and make informed decisions about their bodies.
In response to the ACLU’s public records request, Do No Harm issued a statement criticizing the organization for targeting them and interfering with their efforts to protect children. They argue that the ACLU’s request is an attempt to stifle dissenting voices and undermine the principles of free speech and open debate.
Supporters of Do No Harm argue that medical decisions related to gender dysphoria should be made carefully and individually, taking into account the best interests of the child. They believe that transgender surgeries and treatments are not appropriate for minors, as they can have long-term physical and psychological consequences.
The debate around transgender surgeries for minors is a contentious topic, with passionate arguments on both sides. Advocates for transgender rights argue that denying access to these procedures can cause significant harm to transgender youth and increase the likelihood of self-harm or suicide. They argue that it is necessary to provide these medical interventions as a form of support and affirmation for transgender individuals.
On the other hand, opponents of transgender surgeries for minors argue that it is important to prioritize the long-term well-being and health of children. They assert that medical interventions should be based on sound scientific evidence and rigorous ethical considerations. They also contend that children may not fully comprehend the long-term consequences of these surgeries and may later regret them.
In the midst of this ongoing debate, the ACLU’s public records request is seen by some as a strategic move to further their goals of promoting transgender rights and challenging laws they view as discriminatory. By seeking communications between Do No Harm and Missouri lawmakers, the ACLU aims to shed light on the influence and activities of organizations that oppose transgender surgeries for minors.
While the outcome and impact of the ACLU’s public records request remain uncertain, it is clear that the battle over transgender surgeries for minors is far from over. Both sides of the debate continue to fight for their respective positions, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the well-being and rights of transgender youth.
In the midst of this contentious issue, it is important to foster respectful and productive discussions that take into account the perspectives and concerns of all stakeholders. Only through open dialogue and a commitment to evidence-based decision-making can we hope to find a resolution that best serves the interests of transgender minors and society as a whole.
As the ACLU’s request for communications between Do No Harm and Missouri lawmakers unfolds, it is crucial to approach the issue with nuance, empathy, and a commitment to the well-being of all individuals involved.
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