H.R. 5009

We have some disturbing developments that have passed the Senate and the House.  And here is a list of Congressmembers who voted in favor of it selling out our TransKids.

CALL THE WHITE HOUSE:Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414 GO TO:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/share/ to give a sample letter below.

We need to write to Joe Biden to VETO THE BILL!  We must do it ASAP.  Here is a sample letter

The undersigned leaders of Stonewall Democratic Club est. in 1975, and of the newly formed National Federation of Stonewall Democrats and the chairs of state-level Stonewall (LGBTQIA+) Democratic Caucuses represent a unified voice urging action. We write to strongly urge you to veto the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) as currently written and to advocate for a clean version of the bill that does not include provisions undermining healthcare rights for military veterans, families, and active-duty members with transgender individuals children.

The House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 5009, which includes a provision that removes medically necessary gender-affirming care treatments from TRICARE for the under-18 dependents of our troops. This provision is an affront to the inclusivity and equity values underpinning our democracy and our military.

Gender-affirming healthcare is:

• Supported by every major U.S. medical association, including the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, all of which agree that gender-affirming care is clinically appropriate for children and adults.

• Evidence-based, safe, medically necessary, and life-saving.

• Provided to youth only with parental or guardian consent.

Gender-affirming care for children primarily includes puberty blockers and hormone replacement treatments. In rare instances, surgery may be used on a case-by-case basis for older teens. Any type of gender-affirming care is preceded by a thorough review by a multidisciplinary healthcare team in collaboration with the youth’s parent(s) or guardian(s). These decisions are not made lightly.

The often-cited Cass Report from the UK is a politically motivated document that misrepresents the actual state of research on treatments for transgender youth. Multiple medical societies (see Note 1) have reviewed and rejected the Cass Report’s recommendations. Recently, the French Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology released guidelines strongly opposing the “wait-and-see” approach for transgender adolescents, also known as “gender exploratory therapy.” This so-called “therapy” is a form of conversion therapy, a discredited practice thoroughly documented to harm LGBTQIA+ youth.

Banning evidence-based gender-affirming care puts transgender children at significant risk. A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report shows that 25% of transgender youth have attempted suicide. A Nature Human Behavior study shows that healthcare bans in states have caused a 72% increase in suicide attempts.

H.R. 5009 effectively bans these treatments for the children of our soldiers, a move that studies show will dramatically increase the number of suicide attempts among these children. Our troops put their lives on the line for our country every day. Their families deserve access to the best care unimpeded by political forces.

While we recognize the NDAA’s importance for national security, including provisions that harm the families of our troops will have long-term consequences for our ability to recruit and maintain the best-armed services in the world. Removing medically necessary gender-affirming treatments solves no problems while causing direct and immediate harm to the children of our service members.

We strongly urge you to veto this bill and push for a clean version that prioritizes the well-being of all military families. Please defend the families who are defending us. Your support is needed more than ever during these challenging times.