RFK Jr. pivots to gender-affirming care for minors, says treatment should be ‘delayed until adulthood’

appears more receptive to restricting access to gender-affirming care for transgender minors, writing in a social media post that treatments including puberty blockers and hormone therapy should be reserved for individuals over 18.

“The more I learn, the more concerned I am about giving puberty blockers to young people. Minors cannot drive, vote, join the military, get tattoos, smoke or drink, because we know that children do not fully understand the consequences of decisions with lifelong ramifications,” Kennedy wrote Monday night. in a post on X.

The prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain responsible for executive functions such as decision-making – is not fully formed until an individual reaches their mid-20s, the independent presidential candidate added, in a reference to the idea that this part changes. of the brain. the brain normally stagnates around age 25. Some studies suggest that the prefrontal cortex continues to mature until age 30, depending on the person.

“I do not believe that children can genuinely consent to repurposed castration drugs (puberty blockers) and surgical mutilation, which have permanent and irreversible effects,” Kennedy wrote on Monday. “People with gender dysphoria or who want to change gender deserve compassion and respect, but these terribly consequential procedures should be delayed until adulthood. We must protect our children.”

Gender-affirming healthcare for transgender adults and minors is considered safe and medically necessary by all major medical organizations, although not all trans people choose to medically transition or access care.

Surgery for minors is rare and generally not recommended according to standards of care established by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, a nonprofit professional organization. In the rare cases where minors receive gender-affirming surgery, it is typically a double mastectomy, also known as top surgery. Genital surgery is never recommended for minors.

A longtime vaccine skeptic, Kennedy has frequently used his presidential bid to spread medical misinformation, including the conspiracy theory that certain chemicals in drinking water are causing children to identify as gay and transgender. He also suggested that drugs known as poppers contributed to the AIDS epidemic.

Kennedy in December told conservative political commentator Patrick Bet-David on your podcast that minors should not be able to access gender-affirming care “without permission”, presumably from their parents.

“I don’t know enough about it to say it should be completely illegal,” Kennedy said. “I don’t know enough. I need to analyze the data before making a decision.”

“My opinion is that it’s not good for anyone,” he said, although he added that “there may be some rare cases where it saves someone’s life.”

Kennedy, in press interviews, also said he believes parents should “have the final say” on whether their children can learn about gender identity at school. He has remained consistent in advocating against allowing transgender women and girls to compete on competitive sports teams.

A Kennedy campaign spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about what new information may have influenced Kennedy to change his position on young people’s access to gender-affirming care or whether he now supports federal restrictions on minors’ care.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story