States Should Be Allowed to Protect Children from Dangerous Procedures

A Tennessee case currently before the U.S. Supreme Court could decide the future of Arkansas’ SAFE Act.

The Save Adolescents From Experimentation — or SAFE — Act is a good law that protects children in Arkansas from sex-change procedures, puberty-blockers, and cross-sex hormones. In 2021 the SAFE Act passed with overwhelming support from the Arkansas Legislature, but it has been blocked in federal court ever since.

A Tennessee law that is very similar to the SAFE Act is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court, and that case could determine whether or not Arkansas will be able to protect children from sex-change procedures.

Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel, Director of the Center for Public Policy Matt Sharp recently gave a speech outside the U.S. Supreme Court, where he explained why the court should let Tennessee enforce its law. He also explained why these procedures are so dangerous for children.

In his remarks, Mr. Sharp said,

Every child deserves to be kept safe from harmful drugs and surgeries. And no one—I repeat, no one—has a right to harm children. That’s why Alliance Defending Freedom has been working with lawmakers, policy organizations, medical professionals, and countless others to protect children from dangerous, life-altering, and unnecessary gender transition drugs and surgeries, and to help defend these critical laws in court.

Children who experience discomfort with their biological sex deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. They need access to compassionate, effective mental health care that is rooted in biological truth. . . .

Our laws have long protected kids from things that society has determined are harmful to them or that children lack the maturity and experience to handle. If a kid can’t sign a contract, vote, purchase alcohol or tobacco, or even get a tattoo, how can a child be mature enough to consent to these experimental, irreversible medical procedures that can lead to permanent sterilization?

You can watch the full speech below.

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