Pierre, S.D. (Dec. 19, 2022) – The South Dakota Freedom Caucus is praising Governor Noem for taking the first steps in eradicating what the Freedom Caucus is calling “child abuse,” after Noem on Friday, December 16, directed the Department of Health to terminate the contract with the Transformation Project.
This comes a month before the Transformation Project and Sanford Health are scheduled to hold the 3rd Annual Midwest Gender Identity Summit in Sioux Falls this Janaury. Previously the Transformation Project was in the public spotlight back in 2020 for organizing protests against HB 1057, the Vulnerable Child Protection Act, which prohibited doctors from performing “castration[s]” or “removing any otherwise healthy or non-diseased body part or tissue” of a child.
The Freedom Caucus is now calling on the Attorney General for an investigation into the Transformation Project and Sanford Health, for “promoting child abuse,” as stated in their public release. And announced that they will be introducing legislation this next session, which Governor Noem is expected to support as the next steps.
“This is child abuse,” said Mulally “and whether it is a doctor or a parent performing such procedures, it’s criminal either way.” Mulally referenced the Bracey Byrd case, a step-mother who castrated her 5 year old son, and is now facing seven felony charges.
The Freedom Caucus stated in their release that they are exploring all legal options available to put an end to “this barbaric practice on children who can not legally consent to such life-altering procedures,” said Freedom Caucus Vice Chair Representative Tony Randolph, “and the promotion of such criminal-like behavior needs to stop.”
The Freedom Caucus also said in their release they will be exploring the licensing requirements and conduct required of hospitals in South Dakota, which Concerned Women for America South Dakota (CWA SD) referenced in their public release earlier this month condemning the transgender summit, citing the hippocratic oath medical personnel take to “first, do no harm.” CWA SD
“This is a life-altering decision that shouldn’t be made by or for a child at such a vulnerable age,” Freedom Caucus Chair Representative Aaron Aylward.
The 3rd Annual Midwest Gender Identity Summit is still scheduled to be held January 13th, 2023 at the Sanford Research Center in Sioux Falls, SD and online.
###
