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Tennessee’s decision to ban gender-affirming care was influenced by the opening of a transgender care clinic at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2018. After several years, conservatives demanded an investigation into the clinic.
Written by Emily Cochrane
In 2018, Vanderbilt University Medical Center announced the opening of a new clinic specifically for transgender individuals. However, the announcement did not receive much public attention. The news release contained only four paragraphs, providing basic information such as the clinic’s location, operating hours, and the names of two senior staff members.
Four years after its establishment, the clinic gained significant attention when Matt Walsh, a conservative political commentator from The Daily Wire in Nashville, brought light to the clinic through a series of posts and videos. In these posts, it was mentioned that a staff member at the clinic had reportedly referred to gender-affirming medication and surgery as profitable ventures and used harsh language to describe the center’s treatments.
The healthcare facility, which is not affiliated with Vanderbilt University, responded by stating that their clinic’s purpose is to cater to a vulnerable population facing mental and physical health challenges who have traditionally not received adequate support from the American healthcare system.
The hospital stated that they do not treat children under 18 without parental consent, and they will not require any staff member who objects to certain care based on personal or religious beliefs to provide it.
Those on the conservative side demanded an inquiry into the clinic, and Republican officials addressed a gathering arranged by Mr. Walsh in Nashville in October 2022 against providing gender-affirming care to minors. In January 2023, Tennessee lawmakers met and introduced Senate Bill 1, which aimed to prohibit gender-affirming care. Despite opposition from transgender individuals and the majority of Democrats, the bill was approved.
Emily Cochrane is a journalist who works for The Times and focuses on reporting news from the southern region of the United States. She is stationed in Nashville. More information about Emily
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