Hundreds of Healthcare workers sign letter opposing House Bill 5297

Article owned and originally published by WDTV 5 News on Feb. 27, 2024.

Original Article

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) - More than 400 healthcare workers signed a joint letter opposing House Bill 5297, a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for adolescents.

“Health care providers all across West Virginia realize how dangerous this bill is, and they are speaking up to protect transgender adolescents,” said Jack Jarvis, Communications Director for Fairness West Virginia. “Frankly, I’ve never seen this level of support come together so quickly. Doctors understand that this care is safe and reversible, but losing your child to suicide isn’t.”

A copy of the letter can be viewed here. The letter is still open for additional signatures, and health care providers can visit this link to sign on.

The bill was adopted by lawmakers last year and seeks to ban gender-affirming care for adolescents, but left open a “very narrow” exception for transgender youth who experience severe gender dysphoria and are at immediate risk of suicide without this care.

“This is the most extreme political attack on transgender Mountaineers in recent memory,” said Isabella Cortez, Gender Policy Manager for Fairness West Virginia. “Not only does it ban medically necessary, lifesaving care for transgender youth, but it also prevents parents from getting their child the medical care they need—care that the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and other leading medical authorities have said is essential for some youth.”

The letter reads as follows:

“The West Virginia Legislature is attempting to ban gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender adolescents at risk for self-harm or suicide. We, the undersigned West Virginia health care providers, oppose House Bill 5297 and any efforts to ban evidence-based and guideline-recommended medical care.

“Up to two percent of adolescents in the United States identify as transgender, and in any given year a third of them may attempt suicide. Research has shown that transgender youth who access gender-affirming hormone therapy have 73 percent lower odds of considering suicide. Gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender adolescents is evidence and guideline-based care recommended by every major medical organization. In many cases, this care can be life-saving.

“We encourage West Virginia delegates and senators to support transgender youth and oppose House Bill 5297.”

As of writing this article, 1:00 p.m., February 27th, 2024, the letter has 434 signatures.