Letters: Transgender children 'born that way.' Time to take reins from Republicans
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Stop targeting trans kids
I don't understand why Alabama legislators (May 11 Associated Press article, "Transgender treatment, doctors threatened by new Alabama law") passed a law making it illegal for doctors to prescribe medication for children with gender dysphoria.
More: Ohio Republicans want to ban treatments for transgender youth but what would that mean?
The legislators claim it is protecting children's rights. Why do they think a parent would take a child without a diagnosis of gender dysphoria to a doctor to get treatment for gender dysphoria?
Doctors aren't going to give hormones to a child without gender dysphoria and withholding treatment for children with gender dysphoria is a cruel punishment for the child who was born that way.
Jean Hoitsma, Columbus
More: 'No politician will shame her into silence.' Ohio Mom says trans daughter, others demonized
Rip reins from Republicans
So, Gov. Mike DeWine thinks it’s important that Ohio elect a Republican so that a Senate majority can provide “a check and balance on the policies of the Biden Administration.” (May 8, "J.D. Vance wins DeWine endorsement")
Really?
More: Capitol Insider: Ohio Republicans fall in line to back J.D. Vance, who touts 'Big Lie'
The party who continues to embrace the dangerous lie (apparently, all in service of a narcissistic, would-be authoritarian, whose ridiculously inflated ego apparently does not allow him to process a defeat) that a legitimate election was somehow “stolen”; the party who denies that a U.S. president, likely with help from other elected Republicans, conspired to incite a mob of supporters to violently storm the seat of our government in order to stop the peaceful transfer of power?
The party who thinks it’s okay to illegally and unconstitutionally usurp the will of the people is to provide a “check and balance”? Our very democracy is threatened. This Republican party does not deserve to be anywhere near the reins of our government.
More: Opinion: 'Reasonable Republicans' should oust the new GOP and vote for Democrats
I implore leaders and citizens everywhere to remember that the Democratic party is made up of moderates, and even a few conservatives—there is no policy that you might disagree with that could even compare with a party that condones a violent insurrection.
Diane Keafer, Pickerington
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Swim lessons a must for children
Besides the splashing, swimming, and fun that a pool brings, it can also be a silent threat to the safety of children. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death in children ages 1-4 in the U.S.
With summer only weeks away, readers should know a few ways to keep children safe around water. Drowning can unexpectedly happen to any child in any family. To decrease the risk of drowning, all children need constant, close and capable supervision while near water, which includes bathtubs.
More: Safety precautions create new pool experience
Beginning swimmers should be within arm’s reach of an adult and children should be supervised even if there is a lifeguard present. It is recommended that children start swim lessons to learn water safety skills starting at 1 year of age.
To prevent unplanned access to pools, including inflatable and portable pools, there needs to be four-sided fencing and door alarms in houses with pools.
May is the month to sign your children up for swim lessons for a safe summer season for all to enjoy.
Emily Engelhardt, MD, Columbus
Snail mail slows to a crawl
I read the May 9 letter "Postal Service moving in the right direction" with interest.
More: Widespread USPS delays in mail delivery leave Columbus residents frustrated
Ironically, we live in a condo complex of 104 residences in the North Gahanna area and none has had mail delivery, except for delivery of medical prescriptions, etc., since Friday, May 6.
We are aware, too, of another condo complex very near us, comprising 156 residences, having the same problem. I am pretty sure there are others in this neighborhood having the same problem.
We are hopeful a solution to the problem will be found soon. Old people still like using the USPS rather than email, text messaging, etc.
Edwin L Douglass, Gahanna
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Letters: Should doctors allow transgender minors to take hormones?
