The University of Alabama at Birmingham's (UAB) Gender Health Clinic, led by Brianna Patterson, who identifies as transgender, offers so-called "gender-affirming" gynecological services, including referrals for therapy, mental health services and certain surgical procedures.
The objective, according to the clinic's website, is to improve outcomes and eliminate barriers to care for "transgender and gender non-binary people."
Both Tennessee and Alabama have enacted bans on transgender operations and medications for minors. Several left-wing groups are challenging the Alabama measure. The Tennessee ban was also challenged and is currently being considered by the Supreme Court. It is the first ban to make it to the Supreme Court and is expected to impact laws in other states, including Alabama.
Children's of Alabama associate professor of Pediatrics Morissa Jean Ladinsky, MD. is a specialist at UAB's LGBT clinic. She previously told 1819 News the clinic "is the only one that provides the subspecialty level of care for youth throughout all of the Southeast."
In a video on YouTube, which has since been removed, Ladinsky stated that children as young as 3 years old may express gender dysphoria or feel they were born the wrong sex. She admitted to 1819 News that she had treated children as young as 4 years old.
While she stated that she does not like to discuss the politics surrounding the issue, "gender-affirming" care has become a political topic due to 24 states enacting laws banning transgender care for minors.
1819 News contacted UAB for a statement or response to the Tennessee ban challenge.
"We will comply with the law," public relations manager Adam Pope replied.
In the Alabama case, court documents revealed that President Joe Biden's Secretary for Health, Admiral Rachel Levine, lobbied against minimum age requirements for transgender surgeries. While the case is being adjudicated in court, Alabama has been granted the right to enforce VCAP.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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