Biden administration promotes sex-changes, hormone therapy for trans adolescents

The Biden administration is making clear its stance on gender-reassignment surgery and hormone treatments for minors with the release of new documents encouraging the procedures.

The Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Population Affairs released a guide this week listing definitions that pertain to "Gender Affirming Care and Young People." A similar document was put out by an adjacent branch of HHS this week, titled "Gender-Affirming Care Is Trauma-Informed Car."

The documents describe possible treatments for transgender adolescents, including "'Top surgery – to create male-typical chest shape or enhance breast," and "'Bottom surgery – surgery on genitals or reproductive organs, facial feminization or other procedures."

The first document also states: "Medical and psychosocial gender affirming healthcare practices have been demonstrated to yield lower rates of adverse mental health outcomes, build self-esteem, and improve overall quality of life for transgender and gender diverse youth."

The second, much lengthier, release goes on to attempt to assuage the public of any fears that life-altering hormone and surgical treatments for adolescents do not constitute child abuse. 

"Providing gender-affirming care is neither child maltreatment nor malpractice," the release reads. "The child welfare system in the US, charged with 'improv(ing) the overall health and well-being of our nation’s children and families,' should not be used to deny care or separate families working to make the best decisions for their children’s well-being. There is no scientifically sound research showing negative impacts from providing gender-affirming care."

To coincide with the release of the new policies as well as "Transgender day of visibility," which occurred on Thursday, President Joe Biden released a video message from the White House discussing his administration's stance on transgender issues. 

The president told parents of transgender children that "affirming your child's identity is one of the most powerful things you can do to keep them safe."

He also said his administration is preparing to battle state laws that limit the ability of transgender athletes to compete.