NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Two rallies surrounding gender-affirming care merged into one in downtown Nashville on Friday evening.
This all comes after conservative blogger Matt Walsh took issue with gender-affirmation care procedures at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Walsh — a Daily Wire conservative commentator, who questions LGBTQ rights — said he considered the care to be that of castration and mutilation to minors and adults.
An average of five per year happen, hospital officials said, and none were genital procedures. Those under 18 were also at least 16 years of age, VUMC officials said.
"If we will not stand up for them, then who will? The people out there shouting, they won't stand up for the kids. It falls to us," Walsh said. "One of the biggest lies they tell is affirming kids."
The rallies — one sponsored by Walsh and the other standing up against his principles about transgender care — were on the legislative plaza outside the capitol. The Tennessee Highway Patrol estimated 2,500 to 3,000 people were on the plaza.
"We want every child protected from this madness," Walsh said. "The other side can scream. But this is a battle of good versus evil. We are fighting for what is true, and we are fighting for people who cannot fight for themselves. This is only the beginning."
PHOTOS: GENDER-AFFIRMING RALLY IN NASHVILLE FORMS IN DOWNTOWN FOR AND AGAINST CARE
Rep. Williams Lamberth, R-Portland and Sen. Jack Johnson — have said they would work on a bill to address the issue, but VUMC said they haven't broken state laws. Johnson is expected to speak this afternoon with Sen. Marsha Blackburn.
"Children first, and families first," Blackburn said. "The radical left is trying to put their woke agenda on every single family in this state. Since the pandemic began, the left has been trying to tell you how to take care of your children. We will not let them do that here in Tennessee. It was appalling and shocking to hear a medical professional say they would put profits in front of children. Make your voice heard on this issue. I will do everything I can do at the federal level to make sure we protect our children."
Blackburn said she wanted to end the practices.
VUMC said they require parental consent to treat minors who are being seen for issues to those receiving gender-affirming care and never refuse parental involvement for those under 18. VUMC officials said they began their Transgender Health Clinic because "transgender individuals are a high-risk population for mental and physical health issues and have been consistently underserved by the U.S. health system."
In a letter to a Tennessee legislator, Vanderbilt University Medical Center officials announced they stopped permanent gender-affirming surgeries on minors.
The letter addressed to Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knox County, stated that VUMC would pause the transitional surgeries while the gender affirmation clinic looked into new research just published on the subject.
They noted the issue would likely be taken up in the next legislation session, and the medical center said it would follow any new laws put forth on the subject.
