


(CNSNews.com) - In a lengthy fact sheet honoring the "Transgender Day of Visibility" on Friday, the Biden White House explained how it is "uplifting transgender communities--and especially transgender kids and their families--by celebrating their resilience in the face of hateful anti-transgender laws being advanced across the country."
Some of those laws bar surgery on young people who believe they were "misgendered" at birth. Other laws require people to use bathrooms that correspond to their biological sex.
The fact sheet, which comes four days after a supposedly transgender person shot up a Christian school in Nashville, says transgender Americans "have an unwavering champion in the President," and it bashes "conservative politicians" who have advanced "hundreds of anti-transgender laws...putting the fundamental rights and freedoms of trans Americans at risk."
"As President Biden has said, transgender Americans are some of the bravest people he knows, but nobody should have to be brave to be themselves."
On this particular Transgender Visibility Day, the Biden administration announced that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has issued a "landmark report on ways to support and affirm LGBTQI+ youth, especially transgender youth."
"SAMHSA is providing new resources to parents, teachers, and mental health providers to help them use evidence-based practices to affirm and support transgender and LGBTQI+ youth and their families,” the White House said.
SAMHSA finds that:
-- “There is conclusive scientific evidence that affirming a transgender or LGBTQI+ child’s identity is vital to protecting their mental health.”
-- “When transgender children have access to affirming environments, at home and at school, that are free from discrimination, rejection, and bullying, they are resilient and can thrive.”
-- “When transgender children can access gender-affirming care – which includes counseling and mental health supports – their wellbeing improves.”
-- “In spite of the overwhelming scientific evidence that affirming an LGBTQI+ child is in their best interest, LGBTQI+ children – especially transgender children – face a nationwide mental health crisis because of the harassment, rejection, bullying, and discrimination they face.”
-- “LGBTQI+ youth are at significantly increased risk of suicide when they face rejection and trauma.”
-- “State-level policies that stigmatize transgender children, for example by denying them access to medically necessary health care or banning schools from using LGBTQI+ inclusive curriculum, contribute to worse mental health outcomes for children and put them at increased risk of bullying and attempted suicide.
-- “There is a clear consensus view among mental health experts that attempts to suppress or change a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity – often referred to as so-called 'conversion therapy' – are harmful, not supported by credible evidence, and should never be practiced.”
-- “[G]uidance on gender identity inclusion for public servants: Today, the Office of Personnel Management released an update to guidance on gender inclusion in the federal workplace to help ensure agencies fully follow existing federal policies and anti-discrimination laws, and to help agencies adopt inclusive practices to foster a welcoming and supportive workplace for applicants and employees of all gender identities across the Federal government."
The administration said the SAMSA report (and its endorsement of transgenderism as something that may not be questioned; indeed, must be encouraged and supported) is just the latest effort by President Biden to "advance equality for transgender Americans since taking office."
The fact sheet then presents "additional steps" the Biden administration has taken to support Americans who believe that being male or female is not an immutable, biological fact.
The fact sheet says Biden has:
-- Signed a historic Executive Order to advance equality for LGBTQI+ people, especially children and families.
-- Expanded mental health resources for transgender youth.
-- Clarified that LGBTQI+ youth are entitled to support and affirmation in the child welfare system. In response to at least one state launching child abuse investigations into the loving
-- Directed agencies to strengthen LGBTQI+ rights.
-- Fought for passage of the Equality Act.
-- Offered U.S. passports with a gender-neutral marker.
-- Removed the requirement that transgender people show proof of identity, such as doctor’s notes, in order to update their gender information in their Social Security record.
-- Reversed the discriminatory ban on transgender servicemembers.
-- Enforced fair housing protections that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including gender identity.
-- Promoted safe and equal access to housing and shelter for transgender people.
-- Protected transgender patients from health care discrimination.
-- Bolstered access to gender-affirming care.
-- Launched a new website that offers resources for transgender and LGBTQI+ youth, their parents, and providers.
-- Established a White House-led interagency working group on anti-transgender violence.
-- Increased services for LGBTQI+ survivors of domestic violence.
-- Advanced transgender equality in U.S. foreign policy and foreign assistance.
-- Supported a federal workplace where all employees’ gender identities and expressions are affirmed and respected without fear of discrimination, retribution or disadvantage.
-- Appointed historic transgender leaders, including Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Rachel Levine, and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness Shawn Skelly.
-- Ensured transgender Americans are counted in federal data.
-- Released a roadmap to improve LGBTQI+ data collection.
-- Promoted visibility and inclusion for transgender Americans.
Each one of those bullet points comes with an explanation, which makes the document posted on the White House website 12 pages long, or 3,469 words.