The battle against gender indoctrination in children is far from over. The California Legislature recently passed bill SB-107, and if signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom this month, it will transform the Golden State into a “sanctuary state” for minors seeking access to medical transition.
This law has the potential to affect every family, including those living outside of California. It offers legal protection to a child seeking gender-affirming treatment, including hormones and surgery, and anyone taking a child to the state for this reason. SB-107 also prevents California police from arresting anyone who may be violating laws in other states that forbid gender-affirming care. This enables a potential loophole for anyone residing in a state where pediatric transition is banned or limited. For example, states such as Texas, Alabama, and Arizona have adopted laws either restricting or criminalizing medical transition in children.
As for California, 19 other states are in the process of backing similar “sanctuary” bills. For parents who are critical of childhood transitioning, particularly if their child suffers from other mental health conditions, this type of policy overrides their ability to parent effectively, should their child disagree with them.
I have seen how this issue has played out in family court, with one parent affirming the child against the wishes of the other. Skeptical parents have had to contend with laws biased in favor of affirmative therapy; these new laws will create an unprecedented framework for them to contend with.
It would be one thing if this approach were backed by science. But granting “refuge” to gender dysphoric children will not improve their symptoms or well-being if professionals aren’t first determining why they are struggling. Many young people have latched on to transition as a catch-all solution to any unhappiness in their lives. You may be shaking your head, wondering how this could be happening and what could possibly possess the average citizen to support initiatives like this, particularly as the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia are undertaking a more cautionary approach to treatment.
In all the years I’ve been writing about this subject, it’s become clear that most in support are not really paying attention — they believe these decisions are easily reversible, that the mental health comorbidity and suicidality frequently found in this population are solely due to gender dysphoria, and that detransition is unlikely and insignificant. For anyone who remains unconvinced, the reality will be undeniable in a few years. But at what cost?
Dr. Debra Soh is a sex neuroscientist, the host of The Dr. Debra Soh Podcast, and the author of The End of Gender: Debunking the Myths About Sex and Identity in Our Society.
