This week, Missouri became the first state to restrict gender affirming care for all transgender people – youth and adults. Advocates for Youth absolutely condemns the new rule and demands that it be withdrawn.

“These are shameful, harmful actions from Missouri’s attorney general,” said Debra Hauser, President, Advocates for Youth.  “Transgender people, including transgender young people, have the right to the health care they need, and to respect, autonomy, and dignity. We should be celebrating our transgender siblings for who they are. Young people understand that not allowing someone to express their gender identity is cruel, and they won’t allow it.

With abortion,  birth control, and now  gender affirming care, we see over and over that extremists start with restricting options and care for young people, and move on to restrictions for everyone. The same groups are working to enforce an extremist ideological agenda on everyone in the country, regardless of our values and with no regard for our freedom,” said Debra Hauser.

Gender-affirming care is a course of treatment that has been endorsed by the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and proven over decades to be vital to the mental health and wellbeing of transgender people. It is age-appropriate, life-saving, medically necessary care. These politicians are harming transgender people and standing between families and their chosen medical care.

“We demand that Missouri withdraw the new rule, and we urge Republican governors around the country to stop targeting transgender people,” said Debra Hauser.