Philadelphia, PA- June 22, 2020— Catholic Medical Association today expressed its concern regarding a recent Supreme Court decision to redefine the meaning of sex as a person’s perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
The SCOTUS ruling upheld a 1964 decision about racial discrimination and applied it to sex. Despite what science and biology tell us, the ruling makes it illegal for employers to terminate employees based on what they claim their sexual orientation or gender identity is.
“While the CMA believes employees should be judged on their ability to perform the duties being asked of them, the Supreme Court decision redefines a fundamental understanding of biology, which has countless implications for the ethical practice of medicine,” said Dr. Michael Parker, CMA President.
“SCOTUS has re-defined sex as being the same as sexual orientation and gender identity. This is a lie and a dangerous one at that because doctors will increasingly be sued and forced to harm patients by cooperating with their mental illness,” said CMA’s Dr. Michelle Cretella.
Just as concerning as the legal implications for the medical profession, is the message the SCOTUS ruling sends to society.
“To redefine the definition of sex to include a person’s subjective, sexual behavioral predilection is so fundamentally flawed, it will undoubtedly lead to further confusion regarding the definitions of marriage and family, undermining the very foundation of civil society,” said Dr. Steven White, Chair of CMA’s Health Policy Committee.
Furthermore, CMA believes this action violates the rights of conscience and religious freedom, which are integral to each person’s dignity. These rights are especially critical to health care workers, who must treat patients based on genetic make-up and not on preferred pronouns.
“Health care professionals need to use biological identity as a basis for treating over hundreds of sex-linked disorders, otherwise, poor care would result,” said CMA Past President, Dr. Lester Ruppersberger in April 2019 when commenting on
The Equality Act.
Dr. Ruppersberger’s statement remains relevant now and CMA urges the public to consider that the SCOTUS ruling means “game-over” for science and everyone’s First Amendment rights of free speech and religious freedom.
