The US presidential candidate was quizzed on the rights of parents with transgender children
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US presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has said that transgenderism in children is a "mental health disorder".
Speaking at the latest Grand Old Party debate in California, Ramaswamy was questioned on the issue of transgender children in America and the rights of parents.
Quizzed by Former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino, she asked Ramaswamy: "Over 10.7 million students in over 18,000 public schools nationwide have the ability to change their identity without parental notification.
"Governor Christie told Stewart last week that he would pass a federal law to protect parental rights. Would you try to do the same?"
Vivek Ramaswamy said transgenderism in children is a 'mental health disorder'
Reuters
"I have to be very clear about this. Transgenderism, especially in kids, is a mental health disorder. We have to acknowledge the truth of that for what it is.
"I met two young women early in this campaign. Parents have the right to know. And you know what the hypocrisy of this is? Even New Hampshire failed to actually get past a piece of legislation here."
Ramaswamy continued: "The very people who say that this increases the risk of suicide are also the ones saying that parents don't have the right to know about that increased risk of suicide. And I'm sorry, it is not compassionate to affirm a kid’s confusion that is not compassion, that is cruelty.
"I met two young women, Chloe and Katie, early in this campaign who are in their 20s now regret getting double mastectomies and a hysterectomy. One of them will never have children. And the fact that we allowed that to happen in this this country is barbaric.
"So I will ban genital mutilation or chemical castration, and parents have absolutely the right to know."
Perino pressed Ramaswamy further on his answer, asking: "Would you try to pass a federal law that says parents should have that right?"
"We are going to require states absolutely, they have to follow that through, we stand for parental rights, yes."
Former Vice President Mike Pence was also questioned on his proposals for transgender rights in the US.
Former Vice President Mike Pence was also grilled on his proposals for transgender children
Reuters
Pence said: "We’re going to pass a federal ban on transgender chemical or surgical surgery anywhere in the country. We’ve got to protect our kids from this radical gender ideology agenda."
According to the US Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey of January to July 2023, approximately 1% of Americans identified as transgender.
This is equivalent of around 2.6 million Americans.
The survey also found that approximately 97.5% of the US adult population self-identifies as cisgender.