12.18.2017
Media

Harming Young People With Both Word And Deed

The Trump Administration’s relentless march toward fascism continues. On Friday, we learned that the Administration had banned the CDC from using specific words in its budget requests (vulnerable, entitlement, diversity, transgender, fetus, evidence-based and science-based). At the same time, news broke that the Administration is attempting to deny two more undocumented teens the abortion care they need, effectively forcing them to give birth.

The Trump Administration’s word ban illustrates exactly what we already knew about this Administration. They find science and research expendable. They show a disregard for actual medical facts. And they simply refuse to acknowledge low-income individuals, people of color, and transgender people.

“The ban on even naming transgender people, whom the CDC’s own research has shown experience some of the worst discrimination and disproportionately suffer from negative health outcomes is a new low even for the Trump Administration,” said Debra Hauser, President of Advocates for Youth. “Science exists. Vulnerable people exist. People of color and transgender people exist. And everyone has the right to be acknowledged and served by the government agency in charge of health.”

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At the same time, the government continues to attack other vulnerable and marginalized young people with its dogged pursuit of denying undocumented teens access to abortion and forcing them to carry unwanted pregnancies to term. After a case in October where a young woman successfully sued to get her abortion, the ACLU has begun working with two new young people this week.

“Already we’ve heard of three young women whom the government has attempted to deny abortion care, and there could be others who didn’t have the resources to reach the ACLU and were forced to give birth. Yet, with all the interest in coercing people into unwanted birth displayed by this Administration and by Congress, they show little interest in ensuring children’s health and safety once they are born – as evidenced by the loss of the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the new tax bill’s cuts to benefits for families.”

“The Administration’s word ban is highly unethical, and their attacks on young women and families are morally bankrupt. We should follow the lead of young people, who are working toward a society that helps those in need and values everyone for who they are.”