(The Lion) — Despite President Donald Trump’s executive order against gender-altering medicine for kids, New York Attorney General Letitia James is telling New York hospitals to keep it up.
Trump signed an order last week directing federal agencies to ensure that hospitals receiving research and education grants “end the chemical and surgical mutilation of children.”
“Countless children soon regret that they have been mutilated and begin to grasp the horrifying tragedy that they will never be able to conceive children of their own or nurture their children through breastfeeding,” the order reads. “Moreover, these vulnerable youths’ medical bills may rise throughout their lifetimes, as they are often trapped with lifelong medical complications, a losing war with their own bodies, and, tragically, sterilization.”
Trump issued it to dissuade hospitals from providing the often irreversible treatments to those under 19.
However, James penned a letter to New York hospitals telling them that even if the Trump administration cuts off federal funding, they must continue providing these services – or else she may pursue legal action against them.
“Regardless of the availability of federal funding, we write to further remind you of your obligations to comply with New York State laws, including those that prohibit discrimination against individuals based on their membership in a protected class, such as sex, gender identity, or expression, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, military status, disability, or marital status,” she wrote.
James also noted that 23 state attorneys general sued the Trump administration to block the effort last week, resulting in a court order to pause enforcement.
James then gave hospitals an email address to contact if they witness or had evidence of providers defying her stance.
However, hospitals in New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Virginia and Washington, D.C., have already paused their gender treatments for minors as they evaluate the order, a White House press release said.
For example, in New York, NYU Langone Health has canceled appointments for two 12-year-olds set to receive puberty blockers.
“It’s already having its intended effect – preventing children from being maimed and sterilized by adults perpetuating a radical, false claim that they can somehow change a child’s sex,” the White House release said. “Hospitals around the country are taking action to downsize or eliminate their so-called ‘gender-affirming care’ programs.
“President Trump will always protect American children.”
