Former President Donald Trump has reignited fears among some conservatives by repeating false claims that children are undergoing transition-related surgery during school hours without parental consent. At a recent campaign rally in Wisconsin, Trump suggested that children were returning from school with surgeries after having their gender transition aided by educators.
These claims have been debunked, with no evidence of such procedures happening at schools in the U.S. In reality, about half of the states ban transition-related surgery for minors, and parental consent is required for any gender-affirming care. Most major medical associations support gender-affirming care for minors experiencing gender dysphoria.
Despite these facts, Trump’s remarks have further stoked fears of educators pushing children to become transgender, which has been a recurring narrative among conservative politicians and right-wing media figures. The former president has previously vowed to abolish gender-affirming care for minors if re-elected and has pledged to roll back protections for transgender students.
These comments come amid a broader push by conservative leaders to limit discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, exemplified by laws like Florida’s Don’t Say Gay legislation. While the majority of K-12 teachers do not regularly address these topics in their classrooms, the issue remains polarizing in American education.
Overall, Trump’s claims have been met with skepticism and criticism, with experts and educators refuting the idea of surgeries being performed in schools. These statements underscore the ongoing debate over LGBTQ rights and education policy in the United States.
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