Sexual orientation Archives

Study on impact of puberty blockers on kids not published ‘over politics’

October 24, 2024

A study examining the impact of puberty blockers on children won’t be published for political reasons, according to the study’s overseeing doctor. The study is being withheld because Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy believes its findings “might be weaponized” in arguments against transgender medical treatment for minors, according to her interview with the New York Times.

The issue of administering puberty blockers to children is highly politicized and central to multiple legal battles. More than 20 states have banned such treatments for minors. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on the matter next summer.

Dr. Olson-Kennedy is an advocate for transgender rights. She has also served as an expert witness in cases against states that have banned adolescent puberty blockers. Her team’s study involved 95 adolescents, averaging 11 years old, who were treated with puberty blockers to prevent the development of breasts and the natural deepening of their voices. The study followed these children for two years to track changes in their mental health.

Dr. Olson-Kennedy stated that the puberty blockers didn’t lead to improvements in mental health. She explained that the children were already doing well when the study began.

However, the Times reported that this conclusion seemed to contradict an earlier description of the group. The earlier description indicated that one-quarter of the adolescents were depressed or suicidal before treatment.

According to Olson-Kennedy, her team hasn’t published the data because they don’t want their findings to be used politically.

“I do not want our work to be weaponized. It has to be exactly on point, clear, and concise. And that takes time,” she said.

Research on the use of puberty blockers in children is limited and findings vary. A study by the Sax Institute Review in Australia found that positive mental health outcomes outnumbered negative ones. The Journal of Sexual Medicine concluded that puberty suppression may be valuable in managing gender dysphoria in adolescents.

Conversely, a four-year study in the U.K. found no evidence supporting the use of transitioning drugs for children. The American College of Pediatricians stated there is no long-term study demonstrating the safety or efficacy of puberty blockers.

Between 2017 and 2021, more than 120,000 children ages 6 to 17 were treated for gender dysphoria, according to Reuters. Puberty blockers haven’t received FDA approval for treating this condition. A Washington Post poll indicated that 68% of Americans oppose providing puberty blockers to children ages 10 to 14. About 58% are against hormone treatments for those ages 15 to 17.

Biden pardons veterans convicted under military gay sex ban

June 26, 2024

In a move that impacts potentially thousands of former U.S. service members, President Joe Biden pardoned all those convicted of violating a now-repealed ban on consensual gay sex. The action, which comes as Pride month winds down, grants a pardon to service members convicted under the uniform code of military justice’s former article 125, which criminalized sodomy.

The law had been in place since 1951. Congress rewrote it in 2013 to ban only forcible acts.

Those covered by the pardon will be able to apply to get proof their conviction has been erased, petition to have their discharges from the military upgraded and move to recover lost pay and benefits.

In a statement, the president said he was “righting a historic wrong.”

The White House estimates the change will impact several thousand service members, with the majority convicted before the military instituted the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in 1993. It allowed LGBTQ troops to serve, as long as they did not disclose their sexual orientation. That policy was repealed in 2011 when Congress allowed for their open service in the military.

Vatican document on human dignity rejects sex change, gender theory

April 8, 2024

The Vatican has unveiled the “Dignitas Infinita” — also recognized as the “Infinite Dignity” declaration — a culmination of five years’ work focusing on human dignity. The document outlines “grave violations” against human dignity, spanning a spectrum of issues including poverty, warfare, human trafficking, sexual abuse, violence against women, abortion, surrogacy, sex change, gender theory, euthanasia and assisted suicide.

According to the declaration, when addressing “gender theory,” the church emphasizes the respect for every individual’s dignity, irrespective of sexual orientation.

“Every person ought to be respected in his or her dignity and treated with consideration,” the declaration said.

It also underscores that human life, both physical and spiritual, is a divine gift to be acknowledged with gratitude and utilized for the greater good.

The document condemns the notion of personal self-determination advocated by gender theory, portraying it as an inclination toward self-deification, contrary to the gospel’s teachings.

The declaration reaffirms the church’s stance against sex change, emphasizing Pope Francis’ teaching on respecting the natural order of human beings.

Regarding abortion, the church maintains its longstanding opposition, asserting the intrinsic dignity of every human being from conception to natural death.

On the subject of surrogacy, the document emphasizes the violation of dignity for both the surrogate mother and the child, rejecting the idea of a “right to a child” that overlooks the child’s dignity as a gift of life.

The church denounced the exploitation of impoverished women in poorer countries by wealthy couples seeking surrogacy arrangements.

The declaration takes a firm stance against assisted suicide, advocating for accompanying individuals toward death without hastening it or facilitating any form of suicide. It underscores the prioritization of care and treatment for all, particularly the vulnerable elderly and sick, emphasizing life as a fundamental right to be embraced, not administered.

In the document’s conclusion, Pope Francis asserts an ongoing commitment to human rights, declaring that the declaration should serve as a blueprint, with human dignity at the core of every legal framework.

Thousands protest in Canada over controversial gender, sexual education

September 21, 2023

An organized protest called “1 Million March 4 Children” filled the streets of Canada on Wednesday, Sept. 20. The protesters were parents arguing that sexual content should stay outside of schools.

Thousands of parents expressed concerns over school curriculum focusing on sexual education, as well as policies keeping parents in the dark over children changing gender identities in school.

The protesters used signs saying things like: “Stop the indoctrination and sexualization of out children,” while chanting “no more silence” and “hands off our kids.

However, their protests were countered with other parents showing up to support the opposite perspective, holding signs such as: “Let trans kids thrive,” and “Trans kids need safe spaces.”

These protesters argued that children have the right to learn about sexual orientation and should be able to change their identities without parental knowledge.

The protests were widespread and took place in streets, at government buildings, in front of school buildings and even included marches from Montreal to Ottawa.

The United States is battling with the same issue. Currently, U.S. policies are largely dependent on local school boards or state laws, however they may start to rise to a federal level.

The upcoming 2024 presidential election is increasing political attention to the debate, with candidates using the controversy as a talking point to appeal to parents.

College Board: Florida ‘effectively banned AP psychology’ in state

August 4, 2023

The College Board released a statement saying the state of Florida has “effectively banned AP Psychology in the state.” The board took issue with the state’s Parental Rights in Education Act, which restricts the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity in the state’s classrooms.

“The AP course asks students to ‘describe how sex and gender influence socialization and other aspects of development.’ This element of the framework is not new: gender and sexual orientation have been part of AP Psychology since the course launched 30 years ago,” the College Board said in its statement. “To be clear, any AP Psychology course taught in Florida will violate either Florida law or college requirements. Therefore, we advise Florida districts not to offer AP Psychology until Florida reverses their decision and allows parents and students to choose to take the full course.”

Florida Department of Education spokesperson Cassandra Palelis denied that the state had banned the AP psychology course. She did not respond to a question about whether the state had advised superintendents that the course violated state law.

“Just one week before school starts, the College Board is attempting to force school districts to prevent students from taking the AP Psychology Course,” Palelis said. “We encourage the College Board to stop playing games with Florida students and continue to offer the course and allow teachers to operate accordingly.”

According to the Straight Arrow News Media Miss™ tool, this story is a Media Miss for the right. The Media Landscape indicates that while left-leaning and center-oriented outlets are covering this story, fewer right-leaning outlets are reporting on the topic.

The back-and-forth between Florida and the College Board over AP psychology comes after Florida blocked the AP African American studies course. The Department of Education said the classes “lacked educational value” and violated a state law that bans the teaching of critical race theory.

Straight Arrow News strives to provide unbiased, fact-based news in addition to offering a comprehensive look at how the media is covering stories that matter most. Learn more about the Media Miss™ tool and decide for yourself.