Chloe Cole’s story became a focal point during a recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, addressing proposed regulations concerning medical interventions for minors. Now 21, Cole publicly shared her experience with medical transition, a journey she began between the ages of 12 and 16.
Standing alongside officials, Cole spoke passionately about protecting children from procedures she believes caused irreversible harm. She detailed undergoing puberty blockers, testosterone injections, and a double mastectomy, treatments that have profoundly and permanently impacted her health.
Cole recalls a medical system focused solely on validating her feelings, rather than addressing underlying needs. She felt a critical lack of exploration into the root causes of her distress, a void where genuine care should have been. What she truly needed, she asserts, was acceptance and affirmation as the young girl she was.
Doctors, she says, presented only the perceived benefits of halting female puberty and inducing masculine characteristics, neglecting to fully disclose the potential risks. The gravity of these life-altering decisions wasn’t adequately conveyed, especially considering her age and limited life experience.
Cole’s parents, she explains, didn’t initially believe she was transgender, but felt pressured by a system lacking resources and awareness regarding childhood gender questioning. They were navigating uncharted territory, with little guidance on how to best support their daughter.
She believes no adult has the right to make decisions leading to the chemical sterilization or surgical alteration of a child’s body. Even with parental support, she argues, the permanence of these interventions demands a level of maturity a child simply cannot possess.
The consequences of her medical transition continue to affect Cole’s quality of life. Her fertility remains uncertain, and she will be unable to breastfeed due to the surgical removal of her breasts. She currently requires daily bandages due to complications with skin grafts from her mastectomy.
Cole has filed a lawsuit against the hospitals involved, alleging they rushed her into medical interventions. The lawsuit, supported by the Center for American Liberty, seeks accountability for institutions promoting these practices.
The Center for American Liberty views the HHS announcement as a crucial recognition of the safety and effectiveness concerns surrounding these interventions. They emphasize the fundamental medical principle of “first, do no harm,” and pledge to continue fighting for justice for those affected.
Cole’s message to children questioning their gender is one of caution and self-discovery. She encourages them to pause, explore their identities, and remember that individuality exists within the framework of biological sex.
She emphasizes the importance of faith, family, purpose, and seeking guidance from a higher power. Cole believes true fulfillment comes from embracing one’s inherent value and connecting with something greater than oneself.
