Inside The Human Rights Campaign's Pressure Drive To Mutilate Kids

A new report from Do No Harm (DNH) titled, “How the Human Rights Campaign’s Healthcare Equality Index Infects Pediatric Hospitals with Gender Ideology,” outlines how the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest LGBT advocacy group in the United States, allegedly pressures hospitals into performing gender transition procedures on children.

The report claims that hospitals lose points in HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) if they do not offer or promote what the report describes as harmful transgender procedures, including genital surgeries and hormone treatments for minors. Kurt Miceli, MD, the report’s author, stated, “It is time to expose and root out the Human Rights Campaign’s vast influence over healthcare systems.”

According to the findings, 41 children’s hospitals and various pediatric operations have sought HRC’s approval by adhering to the criteria set forth in the HEI. The index, which began in 2008 with 88 participants, has grown to include 1,065 facilities by 2024, primarily targeting inpatient facilities that provide general medical care.

The HEI evaluates hospitals based on five criteria: “Non-Discrimination and Staff Training,” “Patient Services and Support,” “Employee Benefits and Policies,” “Patient and Community Engagement,” and “Responsible Citizenship.” Hospitals can earn awards from HRC for compliance, with the highest being the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equity Leader.”

The report highlights that the “responsible citizenship” criterion is particularly influential, allowing HRC to deduct points for perceived violations of LGBTQ+ inclusive policies. This system, according to DNH, can pressure healthcare providers into compliance and silence dissenting voices within the medical community.

HRC has also published materials aimed at parents and educators, promoting the idea that children can identify as different genders from a young age. The report argues that this contradicts scientific research, including findings from the UK’s Cass Report and the Department of Health and Human Services, which detail the potential harms of supporting gender transition in minors.

The report asserts that HRC’s advocacy for puberty blockers and other medical interventions is misleading, claiming these treatments are reversible when evidence suggests otherwise. It also criticizes HRC’s approach to establishing “comprehensive care clinics” that expedite the transition process for children.

In addition to healthcare, HRC reportedly extends its influence into educational settings, suggesting that initiatives like its “Welcoming Schools” program may contribute to rising diagnoses of gender dysphoria among youth. DNH posits that HRC’s tactics resemble a pressure campaign similar to those used in corporate environments, where businesses are incentivized to adopt LGBTQ+ policies under threat of lower scores on indexes like the Corporate Equality Index.

As of 2024, 1,449 companies employing over 22 million people have participated in HRC’s initiatives, which the report claims promote harmful practices related to gender identity.

Breccan F. Thies is a correspondent for The Federalist, having previously covered education and culture issues for other media outlets. He holds a degree from the University of Virginia and is a 2022 Claremont Institute Publius Fellow.