"Vatican Condemns Gender-Affirming Surgery and Surrogacy, White House Responds, Republican Efforts Endure"

The Vatican, endorsed by Pope Francis, has released a document denouncing gender-affirming surgery, gender theory, and surrogacy as grave violations of human dignity, reaffirming the church's opposition to abortion and euthanasia. The document also reasserts the church's opposition to the criminalization of homosexuality but has been criticized by LGBTQ advocates as outdated and harmful, potentially fueling anti-trans violence and discrimination. The declaration comes at a time of backlash against transgender people, with Republican-led state legislatures in the United States considering bills restricting medical care for transgender young people.