Sixteen states are considering legislation that would restrict physicians from providing medically necessary gender-affirming care to youth, and one state recently enacted such a law. Several of these bills would also criminalize parents who affirm their children’s gender identity, defining such affirmation as child abuse. These laws stand in direct opposition to the evidence-based care recognized by numerous professional societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, Endocrine Society, and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America) knows that transgender and non-binary children need the love and support of their parents and access to appropriate medical care just like every other child. Therefore, PCA America opposes legislation and laws that would criminalize the efforts of parents to support their children and deny healthcare access to any children, regardless of their gender identity. Such laws threaten the safety and security of certain of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens—children and youth.

Additionally, transgender youth are subject to violence based on their gender identity, and suffer substance abuse, homelessness, suicidality, child welfare involvement and other negative outcomes at distressingly higher-than-expected rates. Loving, supportive parenting alongside medical and mental health care can reduce these serious risks to health and well-being and lead to healthy, resilient children, youth, and families.

Our network can take action to strengthen the foundations of love, safety, and support that enable all of our nation’s children to thrive. Please contact your legislators in states considering such proposed laws to make them aware that you oppose legislation which prevents access to medically necessary care for any children and youth, including those whose gender identity is transgender or non-binary.

Together, we CAN prevent child abuse, America—because childhood lasts a lifetime.