James January-February 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 61
Critics often frame opposition to gender-affirming
care as an attack on transgender rights, but this is a
deliberate oversimplification. The real issue is protecting
children from unnecessary harm. For a small demographic— approximately 0.5 percent to 1.6 percent of U.S. adults
identify as transgender— it is reasonable to demand evidence-based policies that prioritize long-term outcomes
over ideological conformity. Georgia has already taken
steps in this direction with SB 140, but more comprehensive measures are needed.
The upcoming Supreme Court decision on state-level
bans for gender-affirming care will be a pivotal moment for
the U.S. Expected in mid-2025, the ruling will determine
whether states can protect minors from irreversible medical interventions. If the bans are upheld, it will validate
efforts like SB 140 and inspire other states to adopt similar
measures. However, if the Court sides with progressive
activists, the implications will be far-reaching— potentially
undermining state sovereignty and parental rights.
Regardless of this decision, Georgia has an opportunity
to lead by implementing regulations that prioritize evidence
and ethics. While SB 140 was a necessary first step, it is
not enough. Lawmakers must revisit HB 1170 and consider
introducing even stricter oversight of medical professionals
and clinics involved in gender-affirming care. Licensing
boards must enforce accountability, ensuring that practitioners adhere to rigorous ethical standards. Additionally,
the state should consider establishing a review board to
assess cases involving minors and provide an additional
layer of protection against hasty or profit-driven decisions.
The stakes are high, not just for Georgia but for the
broader national conversation on children’s welfare. By
focusing on the welfare of children and rejecting ideological distractions, Georgia can serve as a model of reason
in an increasingly polarized political climate. Progressives
will undoubtedly escalate efforts to undermine these protections through emotional appeals and misinformation.
However, protecting children from irreversible harm is not
just a political issue. It is a moral imperative.
As the 2025 legislative session approaches, Georgia’s
lawmakers must hold firm. They must resist attempts to
frame common-sense regulations as acts of oppression.
Instead, they should emphasize the growing body of
evidence supporting their position and the international
precedent for greater caution. Georgia’s leadership on this
issue could inspire other states to follow suit, creating a
ripple effect that prioritizes the well-being of children over
ideological conformity.
Ultimately, the question is not whether Georgia’s General Assembly will act but whether it has the courage to
do so in the face of relentless opposition.
Chadwick Hagan is the founder of Hagan Capital Group, a private fund and
corporate finance advisor in Atlanta.
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