Cole: The hidden risks of gender-affirming care demand Colorado’s restraint
By Shaina Cole | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
Colorado has embraced gender-affirming care for minors, covering treatments like puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and, in rare cases, surgeries through Medicaid and other state programs.
While intended to address gender dysphoria, these interventions pose significant long-term dangers to children, potentially causing irreversible harm, with limited evidence of sustained mental health benefits. The rise in gender identity issues among minors may be fueled by social media influence, mental health challenges, and parental dynamics, raising concerns about premature medical decisions.
Given the lack of long-term data and children’s developmental vulnerabilities, we must restrict these treatments to rare, extreme c...
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