Dozens of West Virginia doctors, parents, LGBTQ people testify against ‘harmful’ anti-trans bill
Nearly 80 people showed up at the West Virginia state Capitol Thursday morning to urge lawmakers to reject a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for youth in the state.
Dozens of doctors, religious leaders, parents and members of the local LGBTQ community joined their voices in strong opposition to House Bill 2007 during a public hearing held by the state’s House Judiciary Committee.
Opponents of the bill say HB 2007, which would ban medications for trans people under the age of 18, could endanger the lives of trans youth.
“You will kill children if you pass this,” the Rev. Jenny Williams, a United Methodist pastor in Preston County, told lawmakers. “If you oppose the killing of children like you say you do, I would hope that you apply your principles consistently.”
Paula Lepp, who’s the mother of a transgender child, said the legislation goes against Jesus Christ’s teachings on caring for the marginalized.
“The bottom line is this: I would rather have a live daughter than a dead son, and this bill puts that at risk,” said Lepp, who’s the Christian mother of a Christian child.
Jessica Anessa, also the mother of a trans kid, told lawmakers the legislation would “prevent lifesaving, medical care for people who otherwise might commit suicide,” according to local television station WSAZ-TV.
Around 6 in 10 trans and nonbinary youth in West Virginia seriously considered suicide last year, according to data released by The Trevor Project, the world’s largest crisis and suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ youth.
Dr. Allison Holstein, a pediatrics specialist in Charleston, expressed worries that she would not be able to offer proper medical care to young transgender patients — and that could lead to dangerous consequences.
“The bill is dangerous, it’s an intrusion on the physician-patient relationship,” Holstein said speaking on behalf of the West Virginia chapter the American Academy of Pediatrics. “The attempt to insert politics into medical practice are troubling and very concerning.”
According to the American Civil Liberties of West Virginia, of the 81 speakers, 79 were opposed to the passage of the bill — including several testimonies from transgender youth.
“We hope their voices are heard by every legislator, especially those who chose not to attend in-person and face the very people their legislation is intended to harm,” Eli Baumwell, ACLU-WV interim executive director, said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
With News Wire Services
