Coalition Could Apply Pressure To States Refusing To Protect Kids

Multiple states have laws allowing minors to travel across state lines for gender-related surgeries while protecting medical providers from accountability. In response, citizens in Minnesota have initiated a coalition aimed at unifying states against what they term child mutilation.

The effort, led by a pastor, a homeschool mother of six, and members of the Republican state delegation, has resulted in the formation of the “Cornerstone Standard Coalition of States.” The coalition’s goal is to unify states on the issue of protecting children from what they describe as harmful medical practices.

Michael Adamovich, a founder of the Cornerstone Group, stated that the coalition aims to correct the terminology used in discussions about these issues, referring to procedures like gender-affirming care as “child mutilation.” He emphasized that the coalition would advocate for laws that classify administering transgender healthcare to minors as a serious criminal offense.

In an April memo, Attorney General Pam Bondi directed the Department of Justice to enforce protections for vulnerable children and hold accountable those who violate laws against harmful practices. Bondi announced the launch of the “Attorney General’s Coalition Against Child Mutilation,” which aims to partner with state attorneys general to investigate and prosecute violations related to gender-related surgeries.

According to Bondi’s memo, an estimated 14,000 children received treatment for gender dysphoria between 2019 and 2023, with over 5,700 undergoing surgeries. Critics argue that these practices leave children permanently disfigured and sterilized.

Karin Miller, a founder of the coalition and a homeschool mother, expressed that the initiative aims to protect children and raise awareness about the issue in Minnesota. The coalition is backed by a significant number of Republican legislators in the state.

The coalition’s efforts align with a broader movement, as 27 states have implemented policies limiting youth access to gender-related surgeries. States like Florida, Idaho, and Alabama have made it a felony to perform certain procedures on minors, although loopholes remain in states like Minnesota that allow minors to travel for these surgeries.

The Cornerstone coalition’s declaration of purpose highlights concerns that parents who oppose gender-affirming care may risk losing their parental rights in states that support such practices. Adamovich noted that the government has a social contract with its citizens, and failing to protect children undermines that contract.

The coalition aims to serve as a sanctuary for children, protecting them from what they view as harmful ideologies. Miller stated that the coalition seeks to reshape cultural attitudes toward child gender mutilation, making such practices unthinkable in the future.

Despite reaching out to state leaders, including South Dakota’s former governor Kristi Noem, the coalition has not received responses. The founders remain hopeful that their initiative will gain traction and encourage other states to join their cause.