Chloe Cole sues medical group for openly performing transgender procedures on minors.

The Controversy Surrounding Medical Procedures for Transgender Minors

As the transgender movement gains momentum in American politics and society, the question of whether minors should undergo life-altering medical procedures as part of their transition process has become a highly debated issue. The media, academia, and medical field are largely in favor of these procedures, arguing that they affirm children’s identities and prevent suicides among trans-identifying adolescents.

However, a growing number of people, including those who have experienced the transition process as children and later regretted it, are speaking out against these procedures. One of the most prominent voices in this movement is Chloe Cole.

Cole, now 18, began her transition at the age of 13 and received medical care at Kaiser Permanente hospitals in California. She underwent puberty blockers, hormone treatment, and a double mastectomy. However, at 17, Cole realized that she no longer identified as male and has since become an outspoken critic of transgender medical procedures for children.

“My teenage life has been the culmination of excruciating pain, regret, and most importantly injustice,” Cole said. “I have been emotionally and physically damaged and stunted by so-called medical professionals in my most important developmental period. I was butchered by an institution that we trust more than anything else in our lives.”

In February 2023, Cole announced that she was suing Kaiser Permanente for its role in facilitating her transition. She accuses the medical group of medical negligence, claiming that they coerced her and her parents into the gender transition process by suggesting that her gender dysphoria would persist and that she was at high risk for suicide if she did not undergo the interventions.

Kaiser Permanente, the largest not-for-profit healthcare provider in the country, has been involved in facilitating children’s gender transitions for years. Their services include counseling, hormone therapy, surgical procedures, and more. They proudly promote themselves as a leader in LGBTQ+ healthcare equality.

The Influence of Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente’s involvement in transgender surgeries has seen a significant increase in recent years. One of their hospitals in Oakland experienced a 1,300% surge in top surgeries for teens aged 13 to 18 in just six years.

On their website, Kaiser Permanente lists several organizations that promote radical gender ideology. One such organization is The Trevor Project, which supports children socially transitioning and undergoing transgender procedures. They also run a chat room that reportedly allows sexually explicit conversations.

Another organization promoted by Kaiser is the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), the leading transgender health association. WPATH recently updated its care guidelines, removing age recommendations for minors to access puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries. They also added a “Eunuch” gender identity category.

These guidelines are considered the gold standard in the field of gender dysphoria healthcare and are widely used by major medical groups. However, they have faced criticism for potentially disregarding the mental health issues of patients like Chloe Cole.

Cole revealed that she had mental health issues before her transition, but doctors ignored these concerns and pushed her through the process. Kaiser Permanente’s approach to mental health services has been under investigation by California authorities due to inadequate care.

As more voices speak out against medical procedures for transgender minors, Kaiser Permanente’s practices will likely face increased scrutiny. The controversy surrounding this issue continues to grow, and the impact on children’s lives remains a topic of intense debate.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a free hotline for individuals in crisis or distress or for those looking to help someone else. It is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.