Despite claims from the anti-LGBTQ side, liberal-minded people are following the science on this issue as much as anyone. As more evidence emerges, public officials have decided to block irreversible surgeries for minors while retaining their right to transition through other means. Such medical procedures are also very rare, which is why we shouldn't allow this debate to blur the lines between surgery and the myriad of other gender-affirming treatments.

While it's true that gender-affirming surgery for minors is rare, that doesn't mean it should be banned. Transphobic state governments are also using the surgery debate to ban other medical treatments, such as puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy, which are known to help with depression in transgender youth. Most nationally recognized medical associations still support all gender-affirming treatment, and they shouldn't cower in the face of right-wing attacks.