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This video is from March 9, 2021, when I peaceably testified against the so-called “Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act” in the Arkansas legislature.

This bill would make it impossible for trans people under the age of 18 to receive any kind of gender affirming medical care, including puberty blockers, which pose no harm to children and do, in fact, help young people with gender dysphoria.

Even if you are from out of state, you can help. Here are 3 options.

Let’s show the Arkansas government that those of us who wore the uniform – REAL VETERANS – find their actions un-democratic, un-American, and inhumane.

OPTION 1:

Call Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and tell him: “The world is watching you. Kill HB1570 or you will Kill Arkansas Children,.” Here’s his number: (501) 324-9805.

OPTION 2:

Email the following Arkansas Senate Committee members to demand that they KILL THIS BILL or they will KILL ARKANSAS CHILDREN.

Committee Chair Cecile Bledsoe: Cecile.Bledsoe@senate.ar.gov

Committee Vice Chair Scott Flippo: Scott.Flippo@senate.ar.gov

Committee Members:

Breanne Davis: breanne.davis@senate.ar.gov

Ben Gilmore: ben.gilmore@senate.ar.gov

Kim Hammer: kim.hammer@senate.ar.gov

Bart Hester: bart.hester@senate.ar.gov

Dan Sullivan: dan.sullivan@senate.ar.gov

David Wallace: David.Wallace@senate.ar.gov

OPTION 3:

Donate to the ACLU so they can ensure that yet another Arkansas law oppressing the state’s LGBTQ community is declared unconstitutional. The donation link is on the Veterans Law Blog® YouTube page (click here).

20 Comments

  1. Barbara Church

    Thanks, Chris!
    I donated directly on the ACLU website rather than youtube.
    We must guard against elected officials who want to interfer with our medical and mental health treatments. Interesting, I hear people shouting about their rights all the time anymore. I find it odd that many of them believe it is their right to interfer with the rghts of others, including the health decisions of teens, their parents, doctors, and therapists. All kids, and adults, must be able to receive support, and treatment from professionals in the medical and mental health fields. How about military service and PTSD? How many veterans have faced unfair and brutal judgements from people who didn’t have a clue what they were talking about? Regardless of the issues and/or conditions they are facing, receiving professional help and treatment is important for everyone. Chris, once again, your advocacy is exceptional.

    Reply
  2. Rick

    Chris so sorry about this injustice…that was the fastest two mins I’ve ever seen but what else do they have to fall back on but limiting open dialogue and free speech . I can only say what we could hear was spot on…and faith should never be used to oppress. Thank you for taking a stand. I’m only sorry you had to be arrested to highlight the bias. Semper Fi.

    Reply
  3. bigsiouxfan

    Chris,

    I can appreciate and support efforts. We need to be socially affirming of our Trans youth and support their identity as it emerges. This decreases the stigmas, depression and high suicide rate among this group. We need to be Medically affirming which is wholly supported in AAP guidelines because otherwise our trans youth will not seek out or treat other potentially devastating issues. We need to rise up and denounce any legislation that would continue to persecute, demoralize and ostracize any of our citizens, young or old. When legislation seeks to invoke a “Christian bias” over the Constitution we should all be angry. I served for 22 years in the Air Force to defend the Constitution and in so doing I defend each and every citizen’s rights. As a parent myself of a Gay son, it is not only my responsibility to defend against any injustice he might face but also as a human being and an Episcopalian. In the words of the Dali Lama, “I like your Christ but not your Christians”. I stand with Chris Attig and his family and so many others. I will write to each and everyone you listed.

    Reply
    • Chris Attig

      Thank you! I truly appreciate your time and energy in reaching out to these individuals.

      I’ve never heard that Dali Lama quote, but I like it a lot.

      Chris

      Reply
      • bigsiouxfan

        My Bad the quote is by Mahatma Gandi. “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” -Gandhi

        Reply
        • Chris Attig

          That’s even better! Thanks!

          Chris

          Reply
  4. Carol S Hicks

    Chris you are eloquent passionate defender of your family first a atrue patriot these people are NOT our leaders they are elected officials serving their own agenda not Americas or WE THE PEOPLE using whatever means necesary to divide and silence us starting by attacking families that is not the America I grew up in married a sailor who served his country proudly for 38 years and died as a result of that service 20years after an honorable discharge because of the greed of our so called leaders it falls to us to rise up and put a stop to this corruption and tryanny as you have done and keep on believing that their time of paying consequences for this behavior will come soon I salute you as the patriot and warrior you are this is NOT politics it is takeover by the few as the many have been asleep too long GOD BLESS AMERICA

    Reply
  5. Faithfulness

    They will only have 2 minutes to explain to God why they were acting on his behalf to oppress his children

    Reply
  6. Todd Paynter

    Chris,

    As a fellow Vet, Arkansas and father I salute you for your defense of your children. Nobody should be discriminated against at all and I agree with the protection of rights for all humans in this country. Scientifically, there are those born not XX or XY but some combination and it is not up to me or certainly not our state legislature to decide what gender they are, instead that is God’s work.

    I am somewhat older than you and in my youth was certain in my belief of black and white issues such as this. However, with age, growth of faith and raising two children, I have had the time, compassion and experience to reconsider my core beliefs. I am much more of a libertarian socially and politically and don’t believe the government should be involved in these issues unless it is to protect the rights of a specific group being persecuted against. There are protections in this country guaranteed by a sacred document, the constitution. As a former Regan Republican, I am ashamed of where my party has taken itself with the rise of these New Republicans, both nationally and locally, and their blatant oppression of rights of those they hate. Yes, they hate these people because they believe they are an abomination according to the Bible. Well my Bible, the King James Version, has a New Testament with a significant lead character known as Jesus who preached love, tolerance and kindness to all of God’s creations. Additionally, I do not believe God creates abominations rather they are made in the earthy realm where humans have decided they know who God is and need to force their God on whomever disagrees with them. That is a human emotion and not God’s way.

    I wish you luck with your views especially in our home state. I foresee additional nuisances for you and your business for the stand that you took with our “esteemed” lawmakers. You are on the wrong side of the issue as you know. In this state at this time, that is not a good place to be. Fortunately you are an attorney and you do terrific work for those of us who defended the rights you are exercising. Therefore, you will be a harder target for the jackboots working for the legislative assembly.

    I do appreciate the work you do and I am in the process of both SSDI and VA application. You blog is a huge help and I am thankful I found it. Finally, thank you for your service and I wish you well in your continued fight for the basic human rights of all Americans.

    Reply
    • Chris Attig

      Thanks for the thoughtful words. And I appreciate hearing the perspective of your faith.

      Peace,
      Chris

      Reply
      • john hoefen

        Chris I also have a transgender relative.
        I’m a firm believer in non discrimination.
        Good work hope ACLU helps you.
        I had a good case and they weren’t interested
        My son died in Florida. The doctors were biased and his care was terrible
        I’m now trying to help veterans living in very poor conditions at a VA CLC.
        So far I havnt gotten anywhere
        The VA took away my volunteer ship
        Do you know of others involved with these VA CLC. problems?

        Reply
        • Chris Attig

          I don’t off the top of my head know of others involved with CLC conditions. But email me at support@veteranslawblog.org and I’ll get your contact info so I can connect you when I run into folks with shared interests.

          I am sorry for the loss of your son, and your family’s loss. You and your family will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

          Chris

          Reply
  7. Todd Paynter

    Chris,

    As a fellow Vet, Arkansas and father I salute you for your defense of your children. Nobody should be discriminated against at all and I agree with the protection of rights for all humans in this country. Scientifically, there are those born not XX or XY but some combination and it is not up to me or certainly not our state legislature to decide what gender they are, instead that is God’s work.

    I am somewhat older than you and in my youth was certain in my belief of black and white issues such as this. However, with age, growth of faith and raising two children, I have had the time, compassion and experience to reconsider my core beliefs. I am much more of a libertarian socially and politically and don’t believe the government should be involved in these issues unless it is to protect the rights of a specific group being persecuted against. There are protections in this country gua by a sacred document, the constitution. As a former Regan Republicans I am ashamed of where my party has taken itself with the rise of these New Republicans, both nationally and locally, and their blatant oppression of rights of those they hate. Yes, they hate these people because they believe they are an abomination according to the Bible. Well my Bible, the King James Version, has a New Testament with a significant lead character known as Jesus who preached love, tolerance and kindness to all of God’s creations. Additionally, I do not believe God creates abominations rather they are made in the earthy realm where humans have decided they know who God is and need to force their God on whoever disagrees with them. That is a human emotion and not God’s way.

    I wish you luck with your views especially in our home state. I foresee additional nuisances for you and your business for the stand that you took with our “esteemed” lawmakers. You are on the wrong side of the issue as you know. In this state at this time, that is not a good place to be. Fortunately you are an attorney and you do terrific work for those of us who defended the rights you are exercising. Therefore, you will be a harder target for the jackboots working for the legislative assembly.

    I do appreciate the work you do and I am in the process of both SSDI and VA application. You blog is a huge help and I am thankful I found it. Finally, thank you for your service and I wish you well in your continued fight for the basic human rights of all Americans.

    Reply
  8. Mark Yelton

    You may delete this first sentence where I complain about the stupid popup telling me I have two posts remaining and wanting me to subscribe; it kept getting in the way of the video as well as the one that jumped in while attempting to submit a comment.
    May I quote an article on Pubmed “Education and culturally sensitive training must be supplied to healthcare professionals to overcome the existing issues on GD management and change the perspectives of transsexual people? Both the American Psychological and Psychiatric Association require their members to take additional academic courses in Transgender issues prior to offering their services to such individuals My point being those in Arkansas Legislature might find it enlightening to do the same. I also noticed that all those supporting the Bill are Republicans, which do not imply I am or am not Republican but such issues should not be blindly decided on the basis of ‘party lines’
    And yes, I read the bill and I also research the matter so I am one of those Google graduates, and as often the case if one looks hard enough you will find information supporting whatever path you are on, however, the supposed knowledgable folk on this matter (American Medical Association and the previously mentioned) do not in theory support this bill. Admittingly, there has not been an official public announcement either for or against this bill but upon reviewing the guidelines on treating Transgender people they are inconsistent with the letter or intent of Arkansas HB 1570. It also appears the bills prohibition on using Medicaid funds which the Federal government contributes to would be illegal.

    Reply
  9. Brandon Oliver

    [Brandon – I deleted your comments on transgender healthcare, as some of what you said is dangerously wrong – I don’t delete opposing viewpoints, but I do delete misinformation. Nevertheless, that isn’t the focus of this post. I appreciate and take note that you disagree, and that our viewpoints are divergent. I wanted to keep in the most important part of your post, below. Chris]

    Brandon’s remaining comment:

    With all that being said, I do believe strongly that all individuals deserve to be treated humanely and shown respect regardless of how the choose to live. If in fact your child was referred to as an abomination I believe that individual should be censured and called it for the inappropriateness of there speech.

    Reply
  10. Michael

    Chris, my heart goes out to you and your kin. On my iPad, the video does not manifest. Otherwise as a veteran I wholeheartedly comprehend that this law is meant to further the divide amongst Americans. In this regard I stand shoulder to shoulder with you all.

    Reply
    • Chris Attig

      Michael,

      Thanks for the words of support and encouragement.

      I like to think that ALL Americans oppose state intrusion into a family’s medical decisions, and I like to think ALL Americans oppose jailing those who speak against the people who are in power. Hopefully that is still the case.

      You can see the video on YouTube if you can’t see it on the website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7m7sujc_sM

      Take care, and stay safe and healthy!

      Chris

      Reply
  11. Paulz

    I say this respectfully, but I think you are in the wrong on this one. Children under the age of 18 should not be receiving “gender affirming medical care”, especially puberty blockers. If they want to go down this path once they are 18 then that is their decision.

    Studies are now reflecting the correlation between the increase of LGBTQ+ and it’s being highlighted and made popular in the public schools. Much like all of us when we were young, we wanted to be accepted and fit in. One way some kids are doing that these days is by coming out as trans, when in reality it is a desperate cry for help.

    HB1570 is required since it is the only way to save children from themselves.

    Reply
    • Chris Attig

      I have been knee deep in this issue for 10 years, and I promise I’ve looked at more data, more science, more studies, more medical journals, talked to more medical experts, more families, more parents, more psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers on this issue than you ever will.

      So I know that you have no earthly idea what you are talking about. I do not care to discuss my family’s health concerns with a spring-butt that learned about the issue from 10 minutes on google or 10 months on Fox news and think that qualifies him to have an opinion or to lecture someone else. Knowing as much as I do from a decade of intense study on this topic, your comments are offensive beyond description.

      I mean this with respect: mind your own business, and get your nose out of my family’s health decisions.

      Now, the point of this post had nothing to do with being transgender. It was about two things:

      1) I don’t want the government sitting at my kitchen table telling my family what health care decisions we are allowed to make. Do you want the state meddling in your family’s healthcare decisions?

      2) It is no longer the America that I defended that a citizen gets arrested and thrown in jail for speaking against a government’s intrusion into family medical decisions. Is that the America YOU fought for?

      Chris

      Reply
      • Gerald Lechliter Colonel USA (Ret.)

        Chris, I agree with you 100%: the State should not interfere in family health decisions with abominable, despicable legislation; having you arrested and stifling your right to freely express your opinion is a gross violation of the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech. I did not serve 32 years to support such state action.

        Reply

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