ABC reporter Alex Presha rolled out an 11-year old on Saturday’s Good Morning America to condemn Ohio for considering a bill that would make it “illegal for doctors to prescribe gender-affirming care for trans minors.”
Presha reported that the move comes as “Columbus is preparing to welcome an estimated 700,000 people to its annual Pride parade while a battle is brewing just blocks away at the Ohio State House over the future of trans rights” where “The Republican-controlled state legislature is considering a number of bills impacting trans youth. One called HB-68 would make it illegal for doctors to prescribe gender-affirming care for trans minors including prescribing puberty blockers or hormones.”
Eleven-year old Michael Faria was then shown worrying, “That one concerns me because I'm actively on the waiting list for getting puberty blockers.”
Presha explained that Faria “has identified as a boy for years now. His parents say puberty blockers are needed to essentially allow him to pause his development for now.”
Faria, whose parents look like every stereotypical and caricatured socially progressive couple, then declared that “It makes me uncomfortable that I-- having to go through feminine puberty.”
Temporarily moving away from the Farias, Presha then played a clip from Republican State Rep. Gary Click proclaiming, “HB 68 is to save adolescents from experimentation.”
Presha added that “He also touts it would ban doctors from performing gender reassignment surgery on a minor. Something opponents argue isn’t happening in Ohio.”
If it’s not happening, then what is the problem? Either way, Click was also shown declaring “I have done a lot of research; I’ve talked to a lot of professionals on this. Our side gets ignored in this. We have the science-- is on our side.”
Click is correct that “our side gets ignored in this” because instead of citing European governments not exactly known for social conservatism implementing the same policies, Presha immediately attempted to debunk him:
But the American Academy of Pediatrics published a study finding transgender teens who were given puberty blockers experience superior mental health outcomes compared to those who wanted the medication, but didn't receive it. And a 2022 study concluded transgender and non-binary youth with access to gender-affirming care had 60 percent lower odds of moderate or severe depression.
After another clip of Click declaring that, “I certainly wish them the best and all of-- I love these kids. I care about these kids…and I’m not trying to run people’s lives,” Presha hyped “The Farias have accepted that HB 68 may become law, they say that's why for many in the LGBTQ community this year's Pride celebration has turned into a call for action.”
Faria concluded the segment, “Although it may hurt the trans community, it is not going to make us detransition or just pop out of existence, I guess. They aren't necessarily getting rid of us.”
Maybe 11-year olds who have parents with ideological axes to grind aren’t the best source for whether they should be given puberty blockers.
This segment was sponsored by Allegra.
Here is a transcript for the June 17 show:
ABC Good Morning America
6/17/2023
9:10 AM ET
ALEX PRESHA: This morning, Columbus is preparing to welcome an estimated 700,000 people to its annual Pride parade while a battle is brewing just blocks away at the Ohio State House over the future of trans rights. The Republican-controlled state legislature is considering a number of bills impacting trans youth. One called HB-68 would make it illegal for doctors to prescribe gender-affirming care for trans minors including prescribing puberty blockers or hormones.
MICHAEL FARIA: That one concerns me because I'm actively on the waiting list for getting puberty blockers.
PRESHA: Eleven-year old Michael Faria has identified as a boy for years now. His parents say puberty blockers are needed to essentially allow him to pause his development for now.
FARIA: It makes me uncomfortable that I-- having to go through feminine puberty.
GARY CLICK: HB 68 is to save adolescents from experimentation.
PRESHA: Republican State Representative Gary Click is the primary sponsor of this bill. He also touts it would ban doctors from performing gender reassignment surgery on a minor. Something opponents argue isn’t happening in Ohio.
CLICK: I have done a lot of research; I’ve talked to a lot of professionals on this. Our side gets ignored in this. We have the science-- is on our side.
PRESHA: But the American Academy of Pediatrics published a study finding transgender teens who were given puberty blockers experience superior mental health outcomes compared to those who wanted the medication, but didn't receive it.
And a 2022 study concluded transgender and non-binary youth with access to gender-affirming care had 60 percent lower odds of moderate or severe depression.
CLICK: I certainly wish them the best and all of-- I love these kids. I care about these kids…and I’m not trying to run people’s lives.
PRESHA: The Farias have accepted that HB 68 may become law, they say that's why for many in the LGBTQ community this year's Pride celebration has turned into a call for action.
FARIA: Although it may hurt the trans community, it is not going to make us detransition or just pop out of existence, I guess. They aren't necessarily getting rid of us.
