Indeed, and people who absolutely know better or at least have the responsibility to know better spread disinformation about this all the time.

What's going on in Texas right now is a perfect example. Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a non-binding legal opinion last week that gender-affirming care in minors violates existing Texas child abuse laws. He specifically cited puberty blockers, HRT, and surgery. Most of the text of his legal finding is about surgery. He focuses in on the harms of what he calls gender mutilation and sterilization, neglecting to mention it isn't happening anywhere.

His legal opinion amounts to fear-mongering for political points.

Governor Abbott ran with it and ordered mandatory reporters in Texas –which include teachers, social workers, health care workers, clergy and so on – to report to the state any child they suspect of receiving gender-affirming healthcare. He asked members of the general public to turn their neighbors in.

At least one mother has stepped forward so far to sue the state because she's been suspended from her job and had investigators knocking at her door looking for her daughter's medical records.

Clinics around the state have stopped dispensing puberty blockers and medication for HRT. I know a 17-year-old trans guy in Texas who just ran out of testosterone and can't get a refill.

Late Wednesday afternoon a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order to pause the state investigations. No word on whether that's reassured clinics enough that they'll start dispensing medication again.

All this harmful activity can be laid at the feet of a man who leveraged fear of surgery he knows is not happening in the first place.