Arkansas Protects Struggling Kids by Banning Experimental "Treatments"

This week Arkansas made history by becoming the first state to protect children with gender dysphoria from puberty-blockers, cross-sex hormones, and mutilating sex-reassignment surgeries. On Monday, Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson vetoed the bill, arguing that it abandons conservative principles of limited government. Thankfully, the legislature overrode his veto on Tuesday afternoon.

By claiming that this bill goes against conservative principles, Hutchinson disregards the seriousness of so-called “gender-affirming treatments” for children with gender dysphoria, which prevent the normal development that happens during puberty. These “treatments,” which often dismiss underlying mental health concerns, are experimental, and have dangerous side effects, leaving children chemically castrated. Chemical interventions are frequently followed by mutilating surgeries to create the appearance of opposite-sex genitalia, and double mastectomies have been performed on girls as young as 13.

“Limited government” does not mean that the government should allow experimentation on children, or that we cannot unequivocally say that it is wrong to tell a child that he or she was born in the wrong body. And “limited government” certainly does not mean that the government gets to abdicate its responsibility to protect children from abusive practices at the hands of adults.

Marijuana Legalization Linked to Increased Self-Harm, Suicide Attempts in Young Men

Marijuana is often presented as “harmless” but time and again this has been shown not to be the case. Most recently, a study from Stanford University found a correlation between marijuana legalization and increased self-harm, thoughts of suicide, and suicide attempts, especially in young men.

The study found that rates of self-harm and suicide attempts were higher in states that legalized recreational marijuana, and especially in states that commercialize the drug. “Advertising works,” Humphreys commented, pointing out that commercialization leads to increased use as the drug becomes easier to buy and more alluring, especially to young people. Humphreys acknowledged that cause and effect can be difficult to prove in any study, but given the significant correlation between recreational marijuana legalization and increased self-harm and suicide attempts, he said that the study’s findings should be taken into consideration when debating whether or not recreational marijuana should be legalized.

Other studies have found links between marijuana and psychosis, suicide, and abuse of other substances. In 2019 the Health and Human Services department warned that marijuana has become more dangerous, with the THC concentration in commonly cultivated marijuana tripling in the past two decades.

Bloomington to Consider Counseling Ban on April 19

The City of Bloomington will hold a hearing on a counseling ban that would prevent young people from receiving compassionate counseling to resolve unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria on April 19th at 6:00 pm. There will be an opportunity for public comment via written testimony. If you are a Bloomington resident or someone who might be affected by the ban, you can submit written testimony to the City Council by emailing Melissa Wurst-Persaud at [email protected]. Include the date of the hearing and the agenda item in the email so she can distribute it accordingly to the council members. The deadline for testimony is 24 hors before the meeting.

Click below to read why Minnesota Family Council opposes so-called "conversion therapy bans."

Minnesota Family Institute Adds ACH/E-Check Giving Feature

Want to make a tax-deductible gift to Minnesota Family Institute straight from your bank account? Now you can with our new e-check giving feature. What are the benefits of giving with e-check over credit cards? Mostly, it's less expensive! A $50 gift costs us $1.69 in fees (unless the donor elects to cover processing fees), while ACH donations only require a $0.50 flat fee! With all the donations that come in every month, that's a substantial savings. Click below to give with e-check today. All you need is your routing number and checking account number (found on every check or in your online banking portal).