Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has joined Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador in a coalition of 20 states to challenge the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) over its standards on gender dysphoria care for minors. The coalition alleges that AAP's guidance is influenced by political pressure rather than medical efficacy and sound judgment, as supported by the Cass Report and recent disclosures by WPATH.
In a letter addressed to AAP leadership, the attorneys general request detailed information about the evidence supporting AAP’s recommendations for puberty blockers for youth diagnosed with gender dysphoria. They express concern over claims that puberty blockers are safe and reversible, suggesting these assertions lack evidence and may violate state consumer protection laws.
“Child mutilation is barbaric – it’s against Louisiana law, science, and common sense. It is abusive to experiment on a child with biologically altering drugs that have an unknown physiological trajectory and end point. Pediatricians should protect children from this abuse, not commit them to a lifetime of it. Glad to join my colleagues in protecting our kids,” said Attorney General Liz Murrill.
Attorney General Labrador added, “It is shameful the most basic tenet of medicine – do no harm – has been abandoned by professional associations when politically pressured. These organizations are sacrificing the health and well-being of children with medically unproven treatments that leave a wake of permanent damage. Children with gender dysphoria need and deserve love, support, and medical care rooted in biological reality. Parents should be able to trust that a doctor’s medical guidance isn’t just the latest talking point from a dangerous and discredited activist agenda.”
The letter outlines concerns regarding puberty blockers: potential interference with neurocognitive development, compromised bone density, negative effects on metabolic health and weight, blocked normal pubertal experience, and known infertility or sterility when followed by cross-sex hormone use.
The coalition notes that many children initially diagnosed with gender dysphoria desist from the condition by adolescence or adulthood.
The letter requests comprehensive information from AAP about its communications and practices related to youth gender dysphoria and substantiation of claims regarding the safety and reversibility of puberty blockers.
States joining Louisiana and Idaho include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, along with the Arizona Legislature.