Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley raised concerns about transgender girls participating in sports, suggesting that it could contribute to suicidal thoughts among teenage girls.
A Slippery Slope
During a CNN town hall event in Iowa, Haley, a former governor of South Carolina and ambassador to the United Nations, was asked by host Jake Tapper to define the term “woke.”
Haley responded by highlighting issues such as biological boys competing in girls' sports and the inclusion of gender pronoun classes in the military. She expressed her belief that these changes cater to the desires of a small minority while imposing too much on the majority of Americans.
According to Haley, the prominent issue for women today is the inclusion of biological boys in girls' sports. Reflecting on her own daughter's experience in high school track, she expressed concern about how to address the presence of biological boys in girls' locker rooms.
Haley linked this issue to the alarming statistic that a third of teenage girls contemplated suicide the previous year, suggesting that it contributes to their distress. She emphasized the need to foster strong and confident girls.
Doubling Down
In a subsequent statement to NBC News, Haley reaffirmed her stance. She asserted that the development of resilient girls is currently under threat, whether it's due to biological boys entering girls' locker rooms or participating in girls' sports.
Haley criticized the notion that women's voices are being dismissed and highlighted the aggressive bullying associated with these changes. She urged people to pay attention to these concerns, asserting that they are part of the broader problem.
Swift Backlash
Numerous mental health professionals and LGBTQ advocates voiced their outrage on social media in response to Nikki Haley's comments during the town hall. Clinical psychologist Anne Marie Albano criticized Haley's focus, stating that teens are more concerned about issues such as violence, hate, gun violence, climate change, and political unrest. She emphasized that addressing these concerns, rather than spreading misinformation, would truly demonstrate care for children.
If Nikki Haley cared about kids, she'd state that surveys show teens are worried about violence & hate being perpetrated against their peers, about gun violence, climate & political unrest in the US. And, she'd do something about all that & not tell lies. https://t.co/Wzwq6cihTd pic.twitter.com/Km9Ei5g1f5
— Dr. Anne Marie Albano (@AnneMarieAlbano) June 5, 2023
Tyler Black, a child and adolescent psychiatrist specializing in suicide and mental health at the University of British Columbia in Canada, took to Twitter to counter Haley's claims.
Ready to make your first budget?
Enter your email and get the free template
If there is one thing that I can promise in this world, and stake my entire knowledge and expertise as a suicidologist on, it's that young teenaged girls are not made more suicidal by the presence of trans people. https://t.co/hWBOilZlO3
— Tyler Black, MD (@tylerblack32) June 5, 2023
Clinical psychologist and suicide prevention advocate Heather O'Beirne Kelly condemned Haley's suggestion, highlighting that transgender youth face alarmingly high suicide rates and require support rather than blame.
Clinical psychologist here. Nikki Haley’s suggestion that trans youth are responsible for girls’ elevated suicide risks is disgusting. Let’s also be clear that the suicide rate for trans youth is sky high — they need support, not blame from a politician seeking the presidency.
How I make $11,000 per year renting out my spare rooms?
Get access to my FREEÂ guide now.
— Heather O'Beirne Kelly, PhD (@HeatherKellyPhD) June 5, 2023
Chasten Buttigieg, husband of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, characterized Haley's remarks as hateful and dishonest, highlighting the intention behind such rhetoric.
Nikki Haley suggesting that 1/3 of American teenage girls are contemplating suicide because of the existence of trans people is an unserious, untrue, and hateful thing to say. But hate is the point, isn't it? https://t.co/BM2R5Sl6XL
— Chasten Glezman Buttigieg (@Chasten) June 5, 2023
Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, the executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, expressed concern over the harmful impact of right-wing extremists' attempts to portray LGBTQ+ individuals as dangerous. Citing research indicating that 41% of LGBTQ+ youth considered suicide, she emphasized the importance of creating safe and inclusive learning environments.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted comprehensive studies on suicidal ideation in teenage girls and LGBTQ students. However, no connection was established between the presence of transgender youth and the suicidal thoughts experienced by teenage girls. This underscores the need to rely on accurate data and evidence when discussing such sensitive topics.
This article was produced and syndicated by Max My Money.
How I make $11,000 per year renting out my spare rooms?
Get access to my FREEÂ guide now.