Family Research Council president Tony Perkins has called on the Louisiana Senate to advance HB 648, known as the Stop Harming Our Kids Act. In a statement released Friday, Perkins urged state senators to move the bill out of committee for consideration by the full chamber.
“I urge the Louisiana Senate leaders to discharge HB 648 from committee. The Stop Harming Our Kids Act is necessary to protect Louisiana’s children from the use of experimental drugs and surgeries that leave minors with permanent physiological and psychological damage,” Perkins said.
Perkins expressed concern about what he described as “gender-affirming care,” arguing it is not supported by scientific evidence and opposes sound mental health practices. He stated: “‘Gender-affirming care’ is not scientifically supported and is in direct opposition to good mental health practice. The majority of kids who are gender confused outgrow discomfort with their developing bodies. In addition, a growing number of adults who de-transitioned testify to the harms they suffered as minors, the physiological challenges they continue to face, and the regret they now experience as adults. Louisiana must join the increasing number of states who protect kids and support HB 648,” Perkins concluded.
In addition to his public statement, Perkins sent a letter addressed to Louisiana State Senate President Page Cortez urging action on the bill. In his letter, Perkins noted testimony presented before the Senate Health and Welfare Committee from medical professionals such as a pediatric endocrinologist and mental health experts regarding potential long-term impacts on children receiving puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, or surgeries.
“The Louisiana Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard testimony from numerous experts, including a pediatric endocrinologist and credible mental health professionals, regarding the long-term damage done to children when puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries are administered. The committee heard heart-wrenching stories of adults who deeply regret their ‘transition.’ Also present were heartbroken parents because counselors and school personnel encouraged their children to ‘identify’ as something they can never be,” he wrote.
Perkins also addressed speculation about political motives surrounding the bill’s progress but called for legislative action regardless: “I will avoid the hearsay that Governor Edwards wanted this bill killed, and Republican Senators did his bidding. As you are aware, the Senate can rectify the situation by discharging the committee of its duty and ordering it to report HB 648 to the full Senate.”
He continued: “We call upon you to lead the Louisiana Senate to move to bring HB 648 to the floor for a fair vote that will enable our state to protect children from experimental drugs and surgeries being advanced by the profiteers of the gender-transition movement.”
The full text of Perkins’ letter is available online at https://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF23E43.pdf. Testimony provided by Dr. Jennifer Bauwens of Family Research Council on this legislation can be reviewed at https://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF23E44.pdf.
