HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa.—Eighteen-year-old Chloe Cole—a self-described “former trans kid”—joined a panel of speakers on March 18 to discuss the threat that gender ideology presents to children at “Innocence Under Siege.” The event, hosted by conservative activist group No Left Turn in Education, was hosted at New Life Community Church.
Cole told the audience: “Neither my parents nor I was fully informed of most of the potential risks of going through these treatments.”
When she was 13, Cole was prescribed puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones. When she was 15, she had a double mastectomy.
Now she deeply regrets the pain and suffering she endured, but even more, the consequences for her future motherhood.
Lawsuit Hopes to Raise Awareness
Last month, Cole filed a lawsuit against her surgeon, her gender specialist, the hospital where she had surgery, and Kaiser Permanente, her health care provider, for pushing her into medical mutilation between the ages of 13 and 17.“I’m hoping that in this lawsuit, we will raise awareness of this issue but also discourage other doctors and hospitals from doing this to kids.“ She is suing ”to create a precedent for other people who are in my situation to get justice for themselves as well,” she said.
The teen hopes that speaking out will lead to “a better model of care ... for patients who have gender dysphoria.”
Threats Force Venue Change
Saturday’s event received threats the day before it was scheduled to occur. Elana Fishbein, Ph.D., founder and president of No Left Turn in Education, told The Epoch Times that the group had to change the event location because the previous location received threats.Fishbein said she knew what she was facing when she launched No Left Turn in Education in August 2020. The group is determined to fight gender ideology. “We are very determined to stand up and protect our own children, to protect our communities and protect our nation,” she said.
Fishbein said her goal is to help more people understand “how severe is the condition that we are in today.“ She feels that schools are ”hyper-indoctrinating our kids in sexualizing them.”
Activist Mom: Cole Should ‘Speak at Every High School’
Cole’s story drew the full attention of several dozen attendees.Forensic Nurse: ‘That Should Have Never Happened’
Tami Hartlaub, a retired forensic nurse from York County, Pennsylvania, presented on the medical issues involved with transitioning children. She talked about how the human brain works, noting that the frontal lobe, which controls judgment, is not yet mature in young children and teens. They do not have the maturity to make life-changing decisions like gender reassignment surgery, Hartlaub said. Parents need to stand up for their kids, she stressed, instead of allowing the medical community and the psychiatric community to dictate to them that they need to transition.Hartlaub has over 30 years of experience in the nursing field, providing forensic examinations for adult and child victims of sexual and physical assault.
Hartlaub called Cole’s story “heartbreaking.” She told The Epoch Times: “That should have never happened.”
“It’s very obvious,“ said Hartlaub, that the teen suffered ”extreme harm” at the hands of physicians she respected and trusted to be able to provide her with the best care.
‘A Battle of Good Versus Evil’
Paralegal Peggy Welsh attended the event because her sister offered her an extra ticket. She found it to be “very informative” and “very well done.”Walsh said, “They covered pretty much every angle of the issue. Starting with just a broad overview of the issue itself, and then into the medical side of it, and the psychological side of it, and the pharmaceutical side of it, and then getting into the personal side. Personal testimony is powerful.”
Welsh typically does not attend this kind of event. “I have a very busy job. My children are raised. I don’t think it’s an issue that affects me. But I’m a Christian. And I see it as a battle of good versus evil right now.”
Welsh feels it’s difficult to help, “because if you speak out, you are labeled as hateful, bigoted phobic, or so forth.” However, “I will speak the truth with love and speak the truth with compassion,” she said.
Radio Host: ‘Very Burdened’
Kim Kennedy is a pro-life activist and radio host. She said she appreciated the presentation for exposing the mutilation of children’s body parts and the side effects of the drugs they are prescribed.“I’m very burdened. I’m very, very concerned about some of the philosophies and ideas that are being pushed on very young children ... I think there needs to be a lot more national discussion.”
“I just learned that it’s not as cut and dry as some have said in the media. It’s much more complex; it’s much more in-depth,” said Kennedy. “For all intents and purposes, these young people are guinea pigs in an experiment that will have incredible effects on their lives.”
“That’s not something we want on our conscience. We don’t want the blood of these young people on our hands.”
No Left Turn in Education has chapters across the country in 27 states.
Charlie Beatty, Pennsylvania chapter leader, said he was satisfied with the turnout at the presentation. He said: “We’re going to keep moving forward and educate parents about what’s going on behind the scenes in the education system today.”
