Republican politicians revealed the “endgame” of anti-trans legislation was to outlaw trans care “for adults” in an audio clip from a small Twitter space featuring lawmakers from Ohio and Michigan that was instantly posted to the public.
Some Michigan senators and representatives, as well as Representative Gary Click from Ohio, who sponsored the state’s new contentious gender-affirming care restrictions, were among the uninvited guests who were ejected from The Space. The legislators appear to openly discuss their strategies and tactics for addressing trans care throughout the Space.
The topic of discussion changes toward the end of the Space to a strategy for the “endgame,” where Democratic lawmakers and anti-trans advocate Prisha Mosley discuss various initiatives aimed at “banning this for everyone,” referring to gender-affirming care.
The Space was a free-form conversation about possible gains in Michigan as well as ongoing strategy for anti-trans laws in Ohio. It was hosted by Representative Brad Paquette of Michigan. Gary Click, the representative, was a well-known participant. Josh Schriver and Tom Kunse, as well as legislators Lana Theis and Jonathan Lindsey from Michigan, were among the attendees.
A complete transcription of the space is available here:
49 minutes into the conversation, the conversation shifted from the Space’s initial focus on transgender treatment for youth to its adult focus. “In terms of finale, why are we allowing these practices for anyone,” Representative Shriver questioned. Why not use it for people over 18 if we’re going to stop it for people under 18? In terms of the endgame, we need to take into account the fact that it is damaging overall.
“That’s a pretty smart idea that,” Representative Click retorted. We need to consider small steps, in my opinion, according to the law.
Then he turned to Governor DeWine’s criticism of transgender child care facilities, saying, “Planned Parenthoods, they pass out hormones like lollipops, I’ve stopped that.” One of the areas a lot of people go to is there. Euphoria and Plume are even present.
The regulations put in place by Governor DeWine go further than the majority of trans bans in the US and may force the widespread closure of gender-affirming adult care facilities. Similar laws were passed in Florida, where 80% of all trans care was eliminated as a result of onerous restrictions placed on facilities that provided it, such as the requirement that treatment be provided in person and the prohibition of nurse practitioners from doing so. Targeted limitations on gender-affirming care providers were almost implemented in Missouri, which led to the closure of some clinics. Importantly, the Missouri laws governing trans people were overturned in court.
Following this discussion, Representative Shriver went on to argue that adults who consent to gender-affirming care shouldn’t be permitted, going so far as to compare it to consent for “self-mutilation” and “euthanasia.” Then he said again, “We must simultaneously consider the endgame, perhaps even using that to open the window to declare that this is wrong for everyone and that we shouldn’t be letting that happen.”
The plan was approved by Representative Click, who said, “We have to take one bite at a time, do it incrementally.”
There was more to the discussion. The conversation was praised by Prisha Mosley, an anti-trans detransitioner and right-wing social figure. “I did like to say that I’ve kind of been waiting for a state or representative or anyone to be courageous enough to address that… you may notice the lie.” The majority of these doctors are outright lying about the effects and claiming that you can change sex and that it will magically treat every negative feeling you’ve ever experienced.
Representative Schriver says at the conclusion of the discussion that they should “ban this for all people,” to which Representative Paquette reacts, “We’ll chat online about all this good stuff.”
Politicians and anti-trans groups are extremely concentrating on transgender people. The anti-trans organization Society for Evidence in Gender Medicine (SEGM) recently attacked the World Health Organization panel on trans care and stated that those between the ages of 18 and 25 should not have access to it. Allowing “adults to do what they want” with regard to gender-affirming care was no longer consistent with “the liberal place,” according to Leor Sapir, a right-wing think tank at the Manhattan Institute. Similarly, bills and laws aimed at transgender adults are becoming more prevalent. For example, bathroom bans on adults have been passed in Utah and Florida, clinical care restrictions on trans adults in prison, and numerous bills banning gender-affirming care for all ages, including adults, are still pending.
Never before have elected officials made such a clear case for outlawing treatment for trans people. The Heritage Foundation and the Center for Christian Virtue, both of which are also known for having a hand in the creation and authoring of anti-trans legislation, are connected to Representative Gary Click. These recently released recordings offer a crucial glimpse into
the anti-trans legislation’s ultimate goal of completely eradicating transgender people from public life by outlawing treatment at any time.
Excerpts from the pertinent sections of the Twitter Space are provided below:
Rep Schriver: “Why are we allowing these practices for anyone in terms of final?” Why not use it for someone over 18 if we’re going to stop this for people under 18? In terms of the endgame, we need to take into account the fact that it is damaging across the board.
“That’s a pretty smart idea that,” Rep. We need to take small steps, in my opinion, according to the law. I believe that what we can suggest is that adolescents are not capable of giving informed consent because we already limit what they are allowed to do. Without their families, they are unable to sign contracts, buy smoking, consume alcohol, or get tattoos. There are already rules in place for that. The prefrontal cortex is not developed in minors; in fact, it doesn’t develop until the age of 24. I believe there is merit in people being able to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks. One of the things the government did was make a number of mistakes, but he really included some things that I had to work out. Obtaining the information is one of them; there are no prerequisites. The other issue is planned parenthoods, which release hormones like lollipops. He has stopped that. I had that in it, and it was negotiated out. One of the areas a lot of individuals will go to is there. Additionally, there is Euphoria and Plume, where you can use an app to obtain your words and estrogen. We must play the game more slowly.
Rep. Schriver: “When it comes to giving your consent, give yourself permission to be mutilated, harmed, or killed.” Some people want people to be able to legally consent to suicide, just like they do in Canada. When it comes to adults, I’m not saying anything to disprove what you’re saying about kids and puberty blockers, which is all very valid and necessary. Instead, we need to be looking at the final simultaneously, perhaps even using that to open the window to say that this isn’t just wrong 0–18, it’s bad for people, and we shouldn’t get letting that occur.
Rep Press: “Reuters once questioned me, ‘Do you feel bad that all of these states that are currently prohibiting childbirth procedures must shut down their female clinics and then people cannot receive care?’ And I replied, ‘No, I don’t feel bad.’ We must consider each bit one at a time and move forward. It will be more difficult for you to pass any legislation when everything is combined into one dish.
Prisha Mosley: “I sort of wanted to say that I’ve been waiting for someone daring enough to address that, whether it be a state, representative, or anyone else.” This is the position I may approach it from if I just wanted to throw it away. Because of how we handle consent, it’s easier to handle the children. Nevertheless, I also believe that those who are mentally ill or in severe emotional distress may consent. You can’t consent to telling a suicidal person to either take this treatment or commit suicide. Even if you take that away, you still don’t consent to a lie. The majority of these doctors outright lie about the effects, claiming that it can change sex and mysteriously treat all of your negative emotions.
(From the beginning to the end, the topic of transgender youth comes up)
And keep your mind open to banning this for everyone, whether you are 18, 19, 20, or older, says Rep Shriver.
Rep. Paquette: “I certainly don’t disagree with the harm this causes to anyone.” Yes, we will discuss all of this positive stuff online.
