Dear Friends,
We are writing to you with good news! This fall, we asked for your help to stop a radical rule pushed by the Biden Administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It forced any healthcare entity participating in ObamaCare to provide abortions and gender transition procedures—and forced federal health insurance plans to cover them.
The rule modified section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) by removing Trump Administration policies. It also attempted to force healthcare providers to perform abortion and gender transition procedures, even if they opposed them on moral or religious grounds.
Biden’s HHS put healthcare providers and their conscience rights in its crosshairs, but YOU helped defeat it! In the last two weeks, not one, but TWO Federal Appeals Courts decided against the proposed rule! The 5th and 8th Circuit Courts of Appeals both slapped permanent injunctions on the rule.
Even better than that, Biden’s HHS declined to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court, officially ending the rule!
This could not have happened had you not responded to our urgent call to action and submitted thousands of public comments opposing the rule. Without your voice, Biden’s HHS would not have declined to appeal to the Supreme Court. You spoke up and made them listen!
Finally, you have helped create a favorable legal environment for our Help Not Harm legislation, which has been passed either in full or in part in both Arkansas and Arizona and introduced in many other states. Help Not Harm protects vulnerable children from harmful gender transition procedures and ensures they get the proper healthcare they need.
These rulings, and the Administration’s submission to them, set a standard: doctors cannot be forced to provide gender transition procedures. And through this standard, these rulings help make the case that gender transition procedures are harmful to minors. This creates a hopeful outlook for states that pass laws protecting minors!
Thank you for your support of healthcare workers and their conscience rights, vulnerable children, and the unborn. When you speak up, the world listens!
We encourage you to continue to make your voice heard with us on behalf of the least of these!
Sincerely,
Joseph Kohm III
Director, Public Policy
We have an urgent request for your help.
Any day now, the Missouri Senate could vote on the SAFE Act (SB 843), and we need you to encourage them to support it.
This important bill protects vulnerable children from gender transition surgery and procedures while holding doctors accountable.
The SAFE Act would prevent healthcare practitioners from performing dangerous, irreversible gender transition surgeries on children, including mastectomies or “top surgery.” It would also prohibit treating children with hormone therapy and other nonsurgical gender transition procedures that cause irreversible effects like infertility and body changes. Finally, it holds doctors accountable by providing a way to sue doctors that perform these procedures on children.
Our kids deserve to be kept safe from predatory medical procedures. We need your help to protect them.
Please send a message to your senator today telling him or her to support the SAFE Act, SB 843.
It only takes a minute in our Action Center. By doing so, you will help ensure Missouri law helps, not harms our kids.
Sincerely,
Joseph Kohm III
Public Policy Director
A young girl says she feels like she was born in the wrong body: she “knows” that she is actually a boy.
When she visits a therapist or another medical professional, she may be referred for radical, experimental, and life-altering “treatments.” This could include using medication off-label in order to stop the natural progression of puberty. As she enters adolescence, she could be placed on cross-sex hormones and even (eventually) referred for surgeries including a double mastectomy.
In some states, these referrals may happen without her parent’s knowledge, much less consent. And wherever they happen, there’s a deeper problem: No amount of surgeries or hormones will heal a hurting heart. In fact, these “treatments” are likely to leave behind scars both physical and emotional.
Yet in most states, there is no law specifically protecting her as a minor – a child – from these sorts of interventions.
We want to change that.
Last spring, Arkansas became the first state to legally protect minors from harmful gender transition procedures. Tennessee also passed a version of these protections in 2021.
Now, it’s time for other states to follow suit. Our vision is that this kind of dangerous intervention would become unthinkable across the United States – and at the same time, that hurting children would be able to receive real help and counseling to help them live as healthy and whole people.
In short, it’s a vision for help, not harm.
But our opposition is determined. From the Biden Administration in Washington to leaders at the local school level, activists want to guide children toward questioning their biology and pursuing transgender interventions.
Protecting our children will take every one of us.
So what can you do?
- Get the facts.At Family Policy Alliance, we’ve created several resources to equip you. Each of the links below provides you with a unique way to learn more. Just click the links that best describe your interests.I want to learn…
- The basics about Help Not Harm and what I can do.
- How I can protect my kids from radical gender ideology.
- How to talk with my friends and family about this issue.
- Science-based information from a medical professional about sex and gender issues.
- I’m interested in learning about all of these topics and more!
- The basics about Help Not Harm and what I can do.
- Contact your elected officials.Your elected leaders need to hear that you stand behind them when they protect children – and that you’re paying attention when they don’t. We encourage you to contact them with the message that you want them to protect minors from transgender interventions. You can find your elected officials’ contact information here.Stay tuned to FPA’s email alerts for opportunities to weigh in on specific legislation in your state legislature and Congress.
- Get involved in your state.One way you can get involved is with the family policy council standing for families right in your state. Find yours here. Don’t see your state listed? Let us know if you are interested in helping to start one in your state.
One thing is crystal clear: a child who believes she must alter her body in order to be comfortable in it is a child who is deeply hurting.
The last thing we should do? Hurt her even more.
Will you help us protect children?
Sincerely,
Meridian Baldacci
Director of Strategy
P.S. Want to quickly share these updates with friends on social media? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get our latest updates right in your favorite social media feed.
At Family Policy Alliance, we are blessed to receive questions from hundreds of families across the nation every year. I’d like to share with you two of the most frequent questions we receive—and maybe you’ve had them too.
- Why can’t more Christian or like-minded organizations work together on common issues?
- What is actually happening with this transgender issue (that feels like it came out of nowhere), and how do I handle it with the children I love?
We’d like to invite you to the first-ever Help Not Harm Summit to help answer those two questions!
Friday, October 15, 2021
Online Event
Register Here
10:30 am – 4:15 pm ET
9:30 am – 3:15 pm CT
8:30 am – 2:15 pm MT
7:30 am – 1:15 pm PT
The Help Not Harm Summit peels back the transgender ideology to help busy parents (or anyone concerned about the issue!) understand what’s going on—what the issue is really about, what’s happening in schools, what is the right way to talk about it medically, how to talk to your child, how to make a difference, and more.
Here’s a quick summary of some of the sessions you can choose from and what to expect:
Help Not Harm Summit Kickoff Rally!
Hear from Family Policy Alliance’s CEO Craig DeRoche, Concerned Women for America’s Penny Nance, American Principles Project, and Christian Medical & Dental Associations. They will help us start the day out right giving an overview of the importance of this issue. It’s a virtual “rally” to protect children!
This issue isn’t just a moral one—it’s bigger
Hear from John Stonestreet of the Colson Center on why there’s more to this issue than meets the eye.
A view from D.C. – hear from Members of Congress
Join our guests, a U.S. Senator and two U.S. Representatives, who will share about what’s going on in DC and how there are still Members of Congress who care about protecting children.
How can YOU make a difference with this ideology sweeping the nation?
Join our “Bootcamp” to hear from state family policy council leaders—perhaps in your state—on what can actually be done at the local level!
How do I talk to the children I love about sex and gender issues?
It’s a common question, and our friends at Focus on the Family are here to help!
When a child is struggling with gender dysphoria, what can a parent do to help?
Most of the resources and “medical associations” out there push struggling children to make drastic changes to themselves and their bodies. It doesn’t have to be that way, and these experts bring the facts.
Let’s STOP all this experimenting on children’s bodies!
One state did just that! Their lawmakers managed to pass a law banning gender transition procedures on minors—with the help and support of the grassroots, including parents and the state’s Family Council. Find out which state and be inspired to lead the charge to bring this law to your own!
Dig deeper—what’s the truth about transitioning medically?
Get a doctor’s perspective on transition and learn the real truth about what happens to children’s bodies when on experimental puberty blocking hormones and “cross-sex” hormones.
Plus, the Help Not Harm Summit brings together amazing leaders and friends from other organizations who are part of the fight to protect children from harmful transgender ideology. Here are the outstanding organizations who are making a difference on this issue and joining us in the first-ever Help Not Harm Summit:
- Focus on the Family
- Family Research Council
- Concerned Women for America
- American Principles Project
- Colson Center for Christian Worldview
- Ethics and Public Policy Center
- American College of Pediatricians
- Partners for Ethical Care
- Christian Medical & Dental Associations
- State Family Policy Councils—maybe even the one from your state!
We hope you’ll register for the whole event to hear from these leaders and experts—or for the sessions you think will be most helpful to your family.
The Help Not Harm Summit is completely FREE, but you do need to register to get on-demand access to the sessions you wish to stream.
If you can’t make it to the event LIVE, registering will also give you “on demand” access so that you can view the sessions afterward at your convenience.
The people, who know their God, stand firm & take action—
Daniel 11:32b
Autumn Leva
Sr. Vice President, Strategy
P.S. Register today for LIVE or ON DEMAND access to all Help Not Harm sessions!
Dear Friend,
Transgender ideology is sweeping our nation, and youth are the targets. From school classrooms to social media and even the therapist’s office, kids are encouraged to question their own biology. And struggling children are pushed toward “transition” – a dangerous series of interventions that can result in sterilization, long-term health consequences, and potentially worse mental health outcomes.
Kids who are struggling deserve real help, not the harm of hormones and surgery.
This is one of the greatest battles of our day, and we know that you want to help.
So on Friday, October 15, we’re offering a FREE online event to EQUIP you with information and practical tools to make a difference in your country, your state, and even your own family. Register and see the full agenda here.
Friday, October 15, 2021
Online Event
Register Here
10:30 am – 4:15 pm ET / 9:30 am – 3:15 pm CT
8:30 am – 2:15 pm MT / 7:30 am – 1:15 pm PT
We’re bringing in experts, key leaders, and seasoned warriors in this battle to equip you to protect children and stand up for truth. See the list of participating organizations here! During the event, you’ll:
- Discover why this movement is so much bigger than meets the eye – and learn the facts you won’t hear in mainstream media.
- Get help in talking to your kids (or grandkids!) about sex and gender issues – plus a session for families personally affected by the transgender movement.
- Learn from seasoned warriors as they share ways that people in their states have stepped up for their values – and inspiration for ways you can take a stand in your own state.
Can’t make the whole event? Register to get on-demand access to every session following the event. Then, just come live to the events you’re most interested in!
If you’re ready to go deeper and take the next step in protecting children and standing up for your values, the Help Not Harm Summit is waiting for you!
Hope to see you there!
Meridian Baldacci
Director, Strategy
P.S. After you register, don’t forget to invite friends! They won’t want to miss this.
There are just six days until our FREE webinar, “The Truth About Transition.” And we want YOU to join us!
We know the truth that God created us male and female. But our children and our culture are inundated with messages that say it’s possible to change sex – that you may have been born in the wrong body. And it’s a real struggle that some youth face. The supposed solution? Puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgery. These interventions can leave children sterile and facing scars of both body and heart.
But as this narrative continues to run its course throughout our culture – and permeate our children’s schools and phones – it’s important to understand this topic and be able to speak to it with winsomeness. Whether this issue directly affects your family, or you simply want to be able to understand and discuss this, now is the time.
Register TODAY for our FREE webinar “The Truth About Transition,” happening next Tuesday (September 14) at 1 PM ET. We’ll be talking with a medical professional to provide answers to:
- What makes someone male or female?
- What causes gender confusion?
- What are the dangers and long-term side effects of transition?
- How can we meaningfully protect and help children?
- What can parents do?
- And more!
Have your own question about this topic? Come ready to share your question in the comments, and we might address it during the webinar! Just don’t forget to register!
| Andrè Van Mol, MD |
 |
Andrè Van Mol, MD is a board-certified family physician in private practice. He serves on the board at Moral Revolution and is the co-chair of the American College of Pediatrician’s Committee on Adolescent Sexuality. He speaks and writes on bioethics and Christian apologetics and teaches a course bioethics. |
Can’t make it to the live webinar? If you register, we’ll send you a link so you can watch later!
Hope to see you soon!
Meridian Baldacci
Policy and Communications Strategist
Don’t miss this! Yesterday, The Daily Caller released a news EXCLUSIVE about Family Policy Alliance’s “Help Not Harm” campaign. We are grateful to the Daily Caller, and to the article’s author Mary Margaret Olohan, for this important and timely piece. Read the intro below and click here to read the whole article – it’s worth your time!
“The battle to “Save Women’s Sports” resulted in a slew of legislation banning biological males from girls’ sports, conversations on the national stage about gender, sex, individual dignity, and much more. Now the advocacy groups behind this push are assembling to battle the next burgeoning culture war issue — 
transgender sex change surgeries and procedures for minors.”
Progressive activists, media, lawmakers, and even some medical professionals call such procedures “gender affirming medical care” and protest that denying an individual this “care” is cruel, regardless of age. Republican Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson vetoed the state’s SAFE Act in April, arguing that the legislation was a “vast government overreach” and that it shouldn’t jump into every ethical issue.
But advocacy groups like the Family Policy Alliance (FPA) insist these procedures irrevocably hurt children. And backed by a network of about 40 independent, state-based family policy councils, FPA aims to multiply the number of states across the nation that legally protect children from gender transition.
Read the full article here! And, if you haven’t yet, be sure to visit our Help Not Harm webpage to get the facts, speak out to lawmakers, and spread the word about this critical issue.
Sincerely,
Meridian Baldacci
Policy and Communications Strategist