There’s no room for hate on county commission

The hate and misinformation spewed by County Commissioner Jay Block regarding HB 7, Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care, must not go unaddressed.

The Observer’s March 27 article quoted Block as saying at a recent county commission meeting, “I’m disgusted. . . This governor has made the state mom and dad and has basically blocked the parents from any notification or approval for these mutilating procedures of taking the breasts off young girls without parental notification. . . “

Block wants you to believe that young girls who identify as transgender or nonbinary can have gender affirming surgery without parental permission. This is incorrect. Medical standards of care do not allow surgery or drug therapy for those who have not reached puberty, and in general, a child cannot even be seen by a doctor without parental consent.

Gender affirming care for children is centered on social transitioning such as wearing clothes and using a name that match a child’s gender identity as well as providing mental health support. Improved mental health is associated with a significantly lower amount of depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary children.

Anti-transgender violence is on the upswing because of baseless, politically motivated right-wing attacks. The purpose of HB7 is to protect access to reproductive and gender affirming care from interference from demagogues like Block.

Transgender and nonbinary children need our love and support. Jay Block’s vile and dangerous comments have no place on the Sandoval County Commission.

Judith Gordon

Bernalillo