Why do so many Americans try to tell other Americans how to lead their lives? When did that become such a popular thing to do? And why are Americans so intent on choosing to be afraid of problems that do not actually exist?
A caller to our show today raised a few questions about gender-affirming care for minors, which the Louisiana state legislature has now made illegal in the state. Chico from Madisonville, LA called in and seemed to be under the impression that someone under the age of 18 can go into a hospital and get a mastectomy or similar procedure without their parent’s involvement. In an accusatory tone, Chico asked me if I sympathize with parents who are afraid their children will go to the hospital to receive gender-affirming health care or even a sex change operation without their input. What?!
Chico’s question is absurd. Children who are not of the age of consent cannot - and do not - go to hospitals seeking gender-affirming care or sex change operations by themselves. I tried explaining this, even painting the picture of a 13 or 14-yr-old boy going to the hospital alone and not only seeking but receiving treatment - and the caller continued to wonder why I have no concern for the parents, and then changed the subject when his brain couldn’t process this simple idea.
Of course I have concern for parents! But I'm not going to spend time and energy fretting about parents facing a situation that is patently impossible. It’s a complete fantasy. What doctor would prescribe medicine or perform surgery on a minor without their parent or guardian’s consent? That’s already illegal.
What 12 year old has the money and bureaucratic savvy to get themselves onto an operating table without their family knowing about it? How are they supposed to pay for that? By emptying their piggy bank? Amazon gift cards? You can’t Venmo a hospital $50,000 for major surgery!
Nobody has time to be concerned about problems and “how would you feel” scenarios that literally do not exist. This is pure insanity in our society!
The truth is that right-wing radicals (not ALL conservatives or Republicans) are conducting a crusade to create fear over invisible problems and sadly, many Americans are buying into the fear like it's the hottest stock on the market.
The other big concern is the obsession some Americans have over the idea of literally telling other Americans how to lead their lives. An individual's decision to transition into another gender or even have a radical sex change operation has zero impact on the lives of so many who act like they are the ones going through the treatment. And the idea that minors are receiving this care without their parent’s involvement, and without the involvement of a whole team of doctors and therapists is completely stupid.
It's beyond time to call out this bullshit. If an American of a consenting age wants to present to the world as a female because it is what they feel inside - SO WHAT! Why is that even a concern?
