Dear Editor:

Our state legislator is debating a bill that would put a minor child and an undefined adult in charge of a medical process that has life-changing and irreversible consequences. The surgeries are invasive, risky, and complex. Outcomes have ranged from death, sterility, disfigurement, non-functioning, and even if successful, still require a lifetime of medical care. Foreign countries, with a much longer history of this process and its outcomes, are going in the opposite direction with restrictions rather than mandates and protections.

Bill LD 227, An Act Regarding Healthcare in the State, establishes a “legal right to gender-affirming health care services and reproductive health care services.” Objecting to this process would be “interference with legally protected health care activity against public policy” and would have consequences. The escort of minors brought to Maine (potentially an adult partner) for sexual reassignment or abortions would be protected and shielded by Maine’s refusal to recognize other state’s laws. Institutions and professionals who would profit from a “gender affirming sanctuary state,” funded by taxpayers, are also protected. The law also places obligations on insurers to cover the practices.  

This bill destroys any concept of parental rights. A child, not old enough to give “informed consent” and an undefined adult, potentially a sexual partner and pedophile, are given the ultimate authority. Outcomes in Europe often have been tragic. This bill has had a public hearing with 642 people and institutions testifying. A vast majority of those testifying are asking the legislature to kill this bill. All this information is public and online. The State Legislature website surprisingly does not provide a copy of the legislation. I am providing a link to the bill text. All other information is on the legislative website.  Wake up folks – if not now, when do we say stop?

https://glad-org-wpom.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/maine-ld-227.pdf  

Joe Grant

Wiscasset