Vivek Ramaswamy’s controversial take on transgenderism resurfaces: ‘Mental health disorder’ remarks spark debate

Vivek Ramaswamy (File image)

An old video of Indian-American biotech entrepreneur and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy has resurfaced on social media, reigniting the debate on transgenderism and LGBTQ+ issues. The video, shared by @DefiantWorld on X (formerly Twitter), features Ramaswamy describing transgenderism as a “mental health disorder” and opposing gender-affirming surgeries for minors, particularly those under the age of 18.
In the video, Ramaswamy explains his controversial stance, asserting that “transgenderism is a mental health disorder” and that practices like gender-affirming surgeries for minors should be banned. He argued that this approach is actually “the compassionate thing to do for children,” explaining that minors should not be allowed to make irreversible changes to their bodies that they may later regret.
Ramaswamy went on to share a personal anecdote from his visit to New Hampshire, where he met two young women who underwent significant medical procedures at a young age. “One of them was just 13 years old when she had a double mastectomy, and the other had a hysterectomy. Both of them were on puberty blockers, and the sad part is, they regret it,” Ramaswamy said. “It’s actually the compassionate thing to do for children.”

Further, Ramaswamy compared gender-affirming surgeries to tattooing, emphasizing that just as minors are prohibited from getting tattoos, they should also be protected from irreversible body changes. “We don’t allow kids to make permanent changes to their bodies, and for good reason—because they could regret it later. Why should we treat something as serious as this any differently?”
Despite the backlash his remarks have received, Ramaswamy defended his position, emphasizing the need for compassionate care. “It’s not that I condemn any kid for going through confusion,” he stated. “But we need to help them address what’s going wrong in their life. Affirming their confusion is cruelty.”
The video, which has gone viral once again, has led to intense discussion online, with many asking, “Do you agree with Vivek’s answer?” As the clip makes rounds, opinions remain sharply divided—some argue that Ramaswamy’s stance is harmful and dismissive of transgender individuals, while others support his call for more caution and regulation regarding medical interventions for minors.