As Vice President Kamala Harris’ potential role in championing gender transition surgeries is speculated upon, it is crucial to consider her track record as Attorney General in California. Harris, like President Biden, has been supportive of transgender rights.
As California’s Attorney General, her office released a training bulletin to California law enforcement agencies regarding respect for individuals’ gender identity. The bulletin provided guidance to officers on how to interact respectfully with transgender individuals, highlighting the state’s policy of treating all individuals with dignity and fairness, regardless of their gender identity.
Moreover, during her presidential campaign in 2020, she proposed a plan aimed at advancing LGBTQ+ rights, explicitly mentioning access to gender-reaffirming surgeries. She was applauded by LGBTQ+ activists for her proposed actions to use executive power to roll back any anti-transgender policies implemented during the Trump administration.
Nevertheless, it’s important to note that the implementation of any policy related to transgender issues, including gender transition surgeries, would not solely rely on Vice President Harris or President Biden. They would be guided by the prevailing views of medical professionals, affected communities, and other stakeholders in society. They would also be subject to the approval of other branches of government, including Congress and potentially the courts.
To conclude, given her past track record, it seems probable that VP Harris will continue to advocate for the rights of transgender individuals, including access to gender transition surgeries. However, this is not confirmed and will ultimately depend on many different factors.