Protect Gender-Affirming Care for Michigan Youth

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the recently introduced bills targeting gender-affirming care for Michigan's youth, particularly HB 4467. These bills, which seek to prohibit essential medical treatments for transgender adolescents, are not only misguided but potentially harmful to our young people. The recent House Oversight Hearing on this matter was deeply concerning. Chaired by Republican state Rep. Luke Meerman, the hearing presented a biased view by only including testimony from individuals who have 'detransitioned' while excluding voices of transgender advocates and medical professionals who provide this care. This one-sided approach fails to represent the full spectrum of experiences and expert opinions on this critical issue. It's crucial to understand that gender-affirming care remains legal and safe in Michigan, as emphasized by Emme Zanotti of Equality Michigan. The proposed legislation, including HB 4467 which seeks to prohibit healthcare professionals from administering gender-affirming care to minors, goes against established medical practices and the recommendations of major medical associations. These bills, if passed, would have severe consequences for transgender youth in our state. They would deny access to medically necessary treatments, potentially exacerbating mental health issues and increasing the risk of self-harm among an already vulnerable population. Furthermore, the proposal to allow insurance coverage for reversing gender-affirming care while potentially restricting coverage for the care itself is discriminatory and lacks scientific basis. I urge you to stand against these harmful bills and instead support policies that protect the rights and well-being of all Michigan youth, regardless of their gender identity. Our focus should be on ensuring access to comprehensive, affirming healthcare for all young people, guided by medical expertise and compassion rather than political ideology. The fact that this legislation is unlikely to become law due to Democratic control of the state Senate and Governor Gretchen Whitmer's support for LGBTQ+ rights is reassuring. However, we must remain vigilant and vocal in our opposition to such discriminatory measures. I ask that you publicly denounce these bills and work to educate your colleagues about the importance of gender-affirming care for the health and well-being of transgender youth in Michigan.