Thread by @chasestrangio

Flying down to Arkansas for court on Wednesday in @ACLU's challenge to the state's prohibition on gender-affirming care for trans minors. Here are some things that the state and its experts argue in defense of the law (with fact checks):

That most trans kids ultimately "desist" and end up cis.
FACT CHECK: Nope. They are distorting data about pre-pubertal kids (and that data is also flawed). But once reaching puberty, almost no trans-identified minors ultimately come to identify as cis.

That gender-affirmation makes kids trans.

FACT CHECK: Nope. You can't make someone trans and you definitely can't make them cis by denying affirmation.

That gender-affirming treatment worsens mental health outcomes for minors.

FACT CHECK: Definitely Nope. All available data shows improved mental health outcomes for minors who are able to access treatment. Every major medical association in the US has said so.

That if trans people are affirmed in their gender they will be unattractive to sexual mates.

FACT CHECK: Obviously no. We are so hot.

That trans people are inherently narcissistic.

FACT CHECK: Nope. Certainly no more than you cis people.

That treatment minors with gender-affirming care is medical experimentation akin to Nazi Germany and Tuskegee.

FACT CHECK: Definitely no. Also offensive.

That pubertal suppression is irreversible and harmful.

FACT CHECK: Nope. Pubertal blockers just pause puberty and are completely reversible.

All gender-affirming care is sterilizing.

FACT CHECK: Nope. Just talk to the many trans people who have conceived children. Also obviously chest surgery isn't sterilizing.

That being trans is inherently harmful and should be prevented.

FACT CHECK: Obviously no. Being transphobic is harmful. Being trans is beautiful.

See you in court.