Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, along with 20 other states, has formally notified the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) regarding potential violations of state consumer protection statutes. The concern arises from what the states claim are "evidence-free standards" on gender dysphoria care for minors.
The letter sent to AAP leadership calls for transparency about the evidence supporting their recommendations for puberty blockers in youth diagnosed with gender dysphoria. The attorneys general argue that these recommendations are driven more by political agendas than medical efficacy. This stance is supported by findings from the Cass Report and recent disclosures by WPATH.
Attorney General Labrador expressed significant concern over AAP's assertion that puberty blockers are safe and reversible for children. "It is shameful the most basic tenet of medicine – do no harm – has been abandoned by professional associations when politically pressured," he stated. He emphasized that children deserve medical care based on biological reality rather than unproven treatments.
The letter outlines several potential risks associated with puberty blockers, including interference with neurocognitive development, compromised bone density, negative effects on metabolic health and weight, and blocked normal pubertal experiences. It also highlights the known consequence of infertility and sterility when puberty blocker use is followed directly by cross-sex hormone use.
The letter stresses that this issue is particularly critical because many children initially diagnosed with gender dysphoria may desist and grow out of the condition as they become adolescents or adults.
The group of attorneys general requests detailed information from AAP about its communications and practices related to youth gender dysphoria, as well as substantiation of claims regarding the safety and reversibility of puberty blockers.
States joining Idaho in this initiative include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and the Arizona Legislature.
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