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Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024

Has Kamala Harris supported taxpayer-funded gender-affirming surgery for inmates and detainees?


yes

Kamala Harris has supported the rare occurrence of taxpayer-funded gender-affirming surgery for prison inmates and detained undocumented immigrants.

The claim, made on Wisconsin radio by U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, is similar to one made in an ad from former President Donald Trump shown during the Oct. 27, 2024, Green Bay Packers game.

The American Civil Liberties Union asked 2020 presidential candidates if they would ensure that “people who rely on the state for medical care — including those in prison and immigration detention — will have access to comprehensive treatment associated with gender transition, including all necessary surgical care?”

Harris answered Yes, adding that as California attorney general, she advocated for gender transition surgery for inmates.

Asked Oct. 16 by Fox News if that is still her position, Harris said: “I will follow the law.”

Two transition surgeries were done on federal inmates since 2022. Trump’s administration allowed “necessary” transgender surgeries.

See a full discussion of this at Wisconsin Watch

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

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