A new bill, A0 6761, is being considered in the New York state legislature, which could have dangerous consequences for children and parental rights. Introduced by Democrat state Assemblywoman Karines Reyes, the bill claims to allow homeless youth to consent to certain medical, dental, health, and hospital services. However, legal experts and parental advocates warn that the bill’s vague language could be used to allow children to make life-altering medical decisions, such as sex-change medical procedures, without parental knowledge or consent.
The bill’s language suggests that it would apply to all minors who don’t want their parents involved, effectively cutting out parents from the decision-making process regarding their child’s healthcare. This could lead to children making consequential decisions about long-term healthcare without fully understanding the risks and benefits. Parental rights are at stake as well, as the bill would undermine the role of parents in making informed decisions about their children’s well-being.
The bill could allow children to access transgender medical procedures, which have been linked to serious side effects, including bone damage, blood clots, fertility issues, and liver damage. Sex-change surgeries often have complications and require many follow-up surgeries. By allowing children to make these decisions without parental involvement, the bill could potentially endanger children’s health and cause long-term physical and psychological harm.
Furthermore, if the bill is passed, it could potentially lead to lawsuits against the state of New York for violating parental rights and endangering children’s health. The bill could also create a situation where minors from other states run away to New York to obtain transgender treatments without their parents’ knowledge or consent. This further exacerbates the legal and ethical issues surrounding the bill.
Emily Viola, a New York mother of a detransitioner, shared her personal experience with the potential consequences of a bill like A0 6761. Around the age of 12, Emily’s daughter started showing signs of gender dysphoria and, by the age of 13, she began identifying as male. Emily and her husband strongly opposed their daughter’s request for cross-sex hormone treatment and top surgery. Fortunately, Emily was able to prevent her child from obtaining these medical procedures, and her daughter later told her that she was thankful for not being medically transitioned. Emily’s experience highlights the importance of parental involvement in children’s healthcare decisions and the potential dangers of allowing children to make life-altering medical decisions without their parents’ knowledge or consent.
In conclusion, the New York bill A0 6761 raises significant concerns for both children’s health and parental rights. The bill’s vague language and potential for misuse could lead to children making life-altering medical decisions without fully understanding the risks and consequences. It is essential that lawmakers, parents, and advocates work together to ensure that children’s well-being and parental rights are protected.
