Our Position
WHRC USA does not support the confirmation of Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary of Health & Human Services. Here is why:
Dr. Levine is a proponent of puberty blockers for children. The confirmation of Rachel Levine is a dangerous step towards making puberty blockers more readily available to children.
Activists tout puberty blockers as a reversible treatment for childhood gender dysphoria, but this is far from the case. Used off-label, these are the same drugs prescribed for endometriosis, breast and prostate cancer, and are also used in some countries to chemically castrate convicted sex offenders.
Scientists know little about the long term effects of prescribing them to children. During puberty, the body is laying down its life’s supply of bone density, as well as undergoing significant neurological changes.
A recent study found that youngsters on puberty blockers sustained reduced growth in height and bone strength. This led the National Health Service in the UK to change its guidance as to their reversibility.
The study further found that there was no benefit to psychological well-being, and that all of the children went on to receive cross sex hormones at age 16, belying the concept that puberty blockers provide a “pause button”, giving children a chance to change their minds. We do not believe that children have the understanding to consent to this life-altering procedure.
You can find WHRC’s full stance for the protection of the rights of the child in Article 9 of the Declaration.
Visit this page to read The Declaration in its entirety. Sign your name to help support our movement.
*Please note that the Women’s Human Rights Campaign USA (WHRC-USA) is now officially known as Women’s Declaration International USA (WDI-USA)
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