NCLR’s Legal Director Shannon Minter testified in a U.S House of Representatives hearing on medical care for transgender youth, urging members to respect the freedom of parents of transgender youth to obtain essential medical care for their children.

Shannon was joined by Myriam Reynolds, the mother of NCLR’s 2022 Courage Awardee, Cameron Wright.

In his statement, Shannon helped dispel dangerous myths about transgender healthcare and stressed the importance of respecting parents: 

“Parents should have the freedom to make healthcare decisions for their transgender children. Parents want what’s best for their children. Americans differ about a lot of things, but there is one point on which we strongly agree, and that is that parents – not the government – are best situated to make medical decisions for their children.”

PFLAG mom Myriam Reynolds shared her story as the parent of an 18-year-old transgender youth, describing her journey in coming to understand her son’s identity and how much he has benefitted from obtaining medically necessary care. Shannon and Myriam faced hostile questioning from House members who oppose equality for transgender people but refused to back down.

Among our many active cases, NCLR attorneys are challenging state medical bans in Alabama, Florida, and Kentucky and have secured critical victories blocking enforcement of these devastating laws. Please help us defend these victories and ensure that transgender youth continue to receive the affirmation and care they deserve. 

We are in a battle for the future of our community, and now more than ever, we need everyone who cares about these young people and their families to step up. Powerful forces are seeking to destroy our freedom and eliminate our rights – to healthcare, employment, education, asylum, economic security, expression, and family protections.

But we will not be silent, and we will not go back. NCLR will continue to fight as long as it takes.  And with your help, we will win!