By: Jonathan R. Kutz
Over the past few years, gender-affirming care for minors has become one of the most controversial topics in the United States. As I dove into this issue, I found that it’s not just a political debate—it’s a legal and ethical one. At the heart of it all is a fundamental question: Who gets to decide? Do minors have the ability to make life-altering medical decisions, or should parents have the final say?
For years, transgender treatments were simply accepted by parents as the natural thing people do to help their children or as something children themselves can receive by their own desire. However, the debate is growing; international law, like the Convention on the Rights of the Child, acknowledges that kids develop decision-making abilities over time, stressing the importance of parental guidance. In the U.S., several states have passed or attempted to pass bills banning transgender procedures for minors, many faced huge backlash and have been blocked, highlighting that it is still a contentious debate. Meanwhile, court cases like L.W. by & through Williams v. Skrmetti (A case regarding one of the blocked statutes) are testing these laws, and even internationally, countries like Sweden, Finland, and the U.K. are taking a step back and re-evaluating their approach. In the United States, with the recent election of President Trump, more fuel has poured onto the fire that is eating away at transgenderism, and its acolytes, having passed several executive orders on the subject, especially one banning “gender-affirming” care for minors. What’s clear is that this is a very new yet rapidly shifting landscape. More studies are emerging, more voices—especially from detransitioners—are speaking out, and more policymakers are pushing for caution. This subject is one that many people care deeply about; the rights of minors and the rights of parents to help and guide their children is a crucial one for the average American, something they will fight for – I think this was evidenced by the huge swing in public opinion. If anything, this research has reinforced for me the importance of protecting parental rights and children’s well-being.
By: Emmery Johnson
A huge reason why I chose to attend Regent University School of Law was for the Center for Global Justice. Working for the Center is the fulfillment of many promises from the Lord. I have a huge heart for the nations, so working on projects impacting people worldwide while still in law school is an honor.
This semester, I have the privilege of working with Alliance Defending Freedom International; our team is writing a Universal Periodic Report for the United States, which will be submitted to the United Nations later this year. The report covers children’s rights; my specific assignment is on the erosion of girls’ sports due to the inclusion of transgender athletes. I did not know much about this issue and how it impacts many girls throughout the country. As I conducted research, I found many stories from girls who faced violence, discrimination, and loss of opportunities due to the expanded application of Title IX to include transgender athletes. After each story I read, it became apparent that the more broadly Title IX is construed, the less protection it provides to the girls it was designed for.
Throughout the research and writing process, I continued to pray that God would give me His heart for this issue and empower me with words to use this opportunity to honor Him and help establish justice. As I just submitted my draft, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and write about the challenges my fellow Americans face today.
By: Roger Brown
When I started working on this project for ADF International, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. However, this experience has been very beneficial in expanding my knowledge in this field, enhancing my legal research skills, and strengthening my desire to continue working in this area. Beyond the benefits of conducting research, this project has offered an incredible introduction to how international human rights advocacy groups operate—how they engage with global institutions and utilize domestic and international law to advocate for our rights and freedoms at all levels. Working directly on this United Nations report and learning about the profound impact that human rights legal advocacy can have has deepened my desire to continue working in this space. Moving forward, I’m eager to build on this experience, further develop my expertise, and contribute to the fight for human rights at both the domestic and international level.
This post was written by students at Regent University School of Law. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect those of Regent University, Regent Law School, or the Center for Global Justice.