Drag queen slams Texas ban on ‘gender-affirming care’ for minors at Dem convention

EL PASO, Texas (TND) — An activist drag queen suggested during the Texas Democratic Convention Saturday a state law banning “gender-affirming care” for minors violates the LGBTQIA+ community’s human rights.

Brigitte Bandit, whose legal name is Cheri Lake, spoke against the law that prohibits healthcare providers from offering gender reassignment, transitioning or dysphoria treatments to transgender youth.

“Gender-affirming care is lifesaving. Access to healthcare is a basic human right,” she said. “These policies disproportionately affect LGBTQIA+ youth and people of color. We have a duty to protect our most marginalized communities.”

Bandit also argued puberty blockers are medically necessary for more than just transgender children while supporting parental authority over decisions on such health care.

Trans kids deserve to grow into healthy adults. Trans people need to be supported by their community and government and healthcare systems,” she said. “We should trust parents and medical professionals to make the correct healthcare decisions for our youth.”

Bandit received criticism for her speech on social media. Popular X account “Libs of TikTok” posted a 40-second clip of her six-minute speech with the caption, “Drag queen speaking at Texas Democratic Convention promotes puberty blockers, cross-s*x hormones, and s*x change surgery for minors.  Read More