Great points! It's probably important to point out that in the United States like in most of the world, gender affirming-surgeries for children do not happen.

A transgender boy might have top (breast) surgery with parental permission at the age of 16 or 17, but such cases are extremely rare because doctors and hospitals don't generally approve them.

Bottom (genital) surgery for people under the age of 18 is simply non-existent. No doctor anywhere in the United States performs such surgeries. No hospital approves them. (Exceptions being for children born intersex.)

Gender-affirming medication for people under the age of 18 is mostly limited to temporary puberty blockers, which puts sexual maturation on hold and allow adolescents time to make decisions after they become adults.

Some older adolescents do begin hormone replacement therapy, but doctors don't, contrary to the claims of fear-mongerers, pass hormones out like candy.

In fact, a constant theme among trans youth is how very difficult it is to make it past medical gatekeeping in order to access HRT. Data indicates, in fact, that a majority of trans youth who want HRT can't access it.

There's a legitimate debate to be had over whether the gatekeeping is too stringent, but there isn't one to be had over whether HRT is appropriate for some youth.

Overwhelming medical evidence shows that it is sometimes, that it can save lives, and that it can lead to a happier, more fulfilled adult life.

Political debates, like the one in Michigan right now, center on false assumptions the children are receiving surgery and hormones in circumstances where they are not.

Politicians and anti-trans activists base messaging on falsehoods, stirring up fear and anger on purpose, counting on public ignorance of trans reality to give power to their falsehoods.