Vivek Ramaswamy calls ‘transgenderism’ a ‘mental health disorder’ and insists parents should have a say if the children want to change gender

Vivek Ramaswamy controversially described “transgenderism” as a “mental health disorder” during Wednesday’s debate, after moderator Dana Perino tried to elicit a softball answer about parental notification laws from the political newcomer.

Flanked by rivals like Nikki Haley, Tim Scott and Chris Christie, the 38-year-old Ohio businessman instead emphasized that “parents have a right to know” about future transitions, and that “it is not compassionate to add to the confusion of a child to confirm’. .’

He attacked schools that refused to tell parents about their children’s transitions and said that as president he would pass a federal law permanently banning procedures he called “genital mutilation.”

To make his point, Ramaswamy, a billionaire, mentioned that early in his campaign he came across two young women who transitioned in their youth but later regretted it as adults.

Citing the fact that one of the women had undergone an irreversible hysterectomy and could never have children, he branded such operations as “barbaric”, causing visible surprise from some of the other six candidates.

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To make his point, Ramaswamy – a billionaire – mentioned that early in his campaign he encountered two young women – (from left) Katie Anderson and Chloe Cole – who switched as children but later regretted it as adults.

After being asked about the future law – one that Christie, among others, rejects – an animated Ramaswamy began: “I have to be very clear about this.

‘Transgenderism – especially in children – is a psychological disorder. We need to recognize the truth of that for what it is.”

Before beginning his anecdote, the mogul — who has never held a political position — was interrupted by former White House press secretary Perino, who seemed surprised by the politician’s potentially polarizing claim.

Her interjection only seemed to fuel the pharmaceutical figure’s fervor, prompting him to double down on what he just killed.

“Parents have the right to know,” Ramaswamy emphasized, before later turning to X – formerly Twitter – to once again stand by his statement.

Both in person and online, the aspiring politician cited NIH statistics showing how gender dysphoria has led to higher suicide rates, claiming that surgeries like mastectomies and vaginoplasties were far from a credible solution.

In fact, he called such operations “barbaric,” and categorized the encouragement of teachers and other outsiders as evil.

‘I’m sorry. It is not compassionate to validate a child’s confusion,” he said. ‘That’s not pity. That’s cruelty.’

Flanked by rivals like Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis and Mike Pence, the 38-year-old Ohio businessman instead emphasized that “parents have a right to know” about future transitions, and that “it is not compassionate to add to the confusion of a child to confirm’. ‘

After a brief pause, Ramaswamy talked about his meeting five months ago with two members of the growing “detransition” movement: Katie Anderson from Massachusetts and Chloe Cole from California.

Both women, now in their 20s, underwent gender-affirming surgeries to become men as minors, but have since come to different insights.

They are now touring the country preaching the dangers of tapping into children’s initial feelings of gender dysphoria too early, and have amassed thousands of followers.

Cole, Ramaswamy recalled, had a double mastectomy, while Anderson — who has a book Confronting the Lies: My Struggle with Gender Dysphoria — also had that surgery, in addition to a more serious hysterectomy.

Referring to the removal of one’s uterus, Ramaswamy cited how Anderson would now never be able to have children because of their decision.

“The fact that we allowed that to happen in this country is barbaric. That is why I will ban genital mutilation and chemical castration.”

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“More than 50% of children with gender dysphoria have considered suicide,” he said, citing recent government data. ‘And yet politicians reject a law that requires schools to inform parents if their children change their gender identity at school.

“Parents have the right to know what their children are like,” he continued, adding, “That shouldn’t be controversial.

‘Ban genital mutilation and puberty blockers before the age of 18. Treat gender dysphoria as a mental disorder.”

He added: “Time to empower parents again.”