Thread by @stahlidarity

(1/12) This morning, I published a story with @guardian profiling 4 of the doctors most frequently called on by Republicans (in courthouses, statehouses, private correspondence) to defend & justify bans on gender-affirming care. Let me tell you about them and why they matter:

(2/12) Dr Patrick Lappert is a plastic surgeon who provides Botox at his office in an AL strip mall & calls medical transition "a form of mutilation." He started providing expert testimony after attending a conference run by the US' most powerful right-wing Christian legal org

(3/12) Dr Quentin Van Meter is a pediatric endocrinologist who's been discredited in court & described the online transgender community as a “cult." He's the former president of the American College of Pediatricians- classified as a declared a hate organization by @splcenter.

(4/12) Dr Paul Hruz is a pediatrics professor who has never treated a trans patient and is a member of two Catholic medical groups that oppose gender transition. He reportedly told the parent of one trans kid, "Some children are born in this world to suffer and die.”

(5/12) Dr Michael Laidlaw is a endocrinologist who compared gender-affirming care to Nazi experimentation.He's never conducted any primary research related to gender identity, published peer-reviewed studies about the efficacy of treatments or managed the care of a trans patient.

(6/12) Yes -all four have ties to rightwing groups; groups that oppose gender transition on religious or moral grounds; & little or no experience treating transgender patients. They've collectively testified in many state legislatures & dozens of lawsuits related to trans rights.

(7/12) Psychiatrist Stephen Levine is a 5th MD to learn about. “The advocates say there’s nothing inherently wrong with someone who wants to change their gender… [that’s] not what I see when I take care of these people.” My 2021 @WIRED feature about him- wired.com/story/inmates-…

(8/12) Just FYI here's 1 of the MDs most frequently brought on to testify *against* attacks on gender-affirming care. Dr Jack Turban co-edited a textbook on pediatric gender identity, published many peer-reviewed articles & has lots of clinical experience profiles.ucsf.edu/jack.turban

(9/12) These self-described experts are dangerous b/c they give media outlets, legislators, judges and administrative bodies (like the Board of Medicine in FL) ammunition w/which to suggest there isn't an established scientific consensus on gender-affirming care -- when there IS.

(10/12) & not just ideological ammunition-these MDs have sometimes been cited favorably in court rulings, hired to propose statewide rules/regs, consulted as legislation was being drafted, etc. They have immense instrumental value to the Republican attack on gender-affirming care

(11/12) They also shape public perception. @herong a senior research analyst @PRAEyesRight who monitors anti-LGBTQ+ advocacy, told me these experts & the groups they are associated w/have “absolutely contributed to the mis- and disinformation machine around gender-affirming care”

(12/12) Last tweet! Bottom line is, these are some of the mostly highly prized experts driving the 'debate' about the efficacy and safety of gender-affirming care. Their professional backgrounds and political/religious affiliations deserve continued scrutiny.