In a new medical policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics says it supports the surgical and hormonal transition of transgender children and teens.

The statement will be published in October in the AAP’s journal, Pediatrics.

According to The Christian Post, the document discusses ways for parents and health care providers to affirm the gender choices of patients, including encouraging primary care doctors to install gender-neutral bathrooms in their offices and signs that show the office is LGBT inclusive. The statement also suggests diversity training for employees to be “helpful for educating clinical and administrative staff.”

AAP is also recommending that doctors use the term “gender affirmation” instead of “gender transition” to discuss the gender identities of children and teens.

Dr. Jason Rafferty, a member of the AAP Section on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health and Wellness, wrote the guideline.

The guideline also supports the use of chemical treatments to stop normal puberty, saying those treatments are “reversible.”

The treatments can be used until the child is 16 and gives time for the family to “explore gender identity, access psychosocial supports, develop coping skills and further determine treatment goals.”

“The available data reveal that pubertal suppression in children who identify as…

LGBT activists and protesters displayed rainbow flags in the city of Blackpool to protest American evangelist Franklin Graham and the three-day “Festival of Hope.”

“I’m glad to be in Blackpool, England, to preach the Gospel at the invitation of 200 area churches. This morning I went down to the historic Blackpool Tower where my father Billy Graham stood back in 1982 when he came here to preach,” Graham wrote on Facebook Thursday, ahead of the first day of the evangelistic event.

“Will you pray this weekend, that many will turn to Jesus Christ and find the hope and peace that only He can give?” he asked.

Some LGBT and Muslims groups, along with a few Christian churches and local politicians in Blackpool, have spoken out against Graham this past year, arguing that he has preached messages on same-sex marriage and Islam that they find offensive.

The Guardian reported that the Blackpool Tower, mentioned by Graham, will be lit up in rainbow colors and will fly an LGBT flag in opposition to the conservative Christian evangelist.

“The council is a strong supporter of all equalities issues and we use the rainbow flag and its derivatives on a regular basis to…

The Texas State Board of Education voted last week to remove several historical figures from their history requirements as part of an effort to streamline the curriculum. The most notable figures taken out of the requirements included former first lady and secretary of state Hillary Clinton and Helen Keller, an Alabama woman born blind and deaf who went on to finish college.

The board opted to keep other figures recommended for removal, most notably Rev. Billy Graham, Moses’ influence on the United States of America’s laws, the Judeo-Christian influence among America’s founders, and a reference to the heroism of the Alamo’s defenders. They also voted to reinsert a reference to the conflict in Israel, saying that the “Arab rejection of the State of Israel has led to ongoing conflict.”

The board acted on recommendations from a workgroup who had been tasked with looking for ways to curb the number of required figures students had to learn about in history. One member of the committee explained that if students had to learn about too many figures, they would spend more time memorizing names than learning about history.

The workgroup recommended removing references to the nation’s “Judeo-Christian heritage,” but the board rejected that proposal, garnering praise from conservative groups in the Lone Star State. Jonathan Saenz, the President…

A Michigan high school has removed a video of community members praying for a coach’s ill daughter after complaints from an atheist group.

In August, members of the community came together to form a “family circle” on the football field and support and pray for a young girl named Harper, who is the daughter of the Lake City High School head football coach. She is in the hospital suffering from a severe intestinal infection.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, an atheist group, says the event was unconstitutional because it included a public prayer. The high school subsequently removed the video to avoid more controversy and a possible lawsuit.

“The school district can get involved in a number of ways but if it involves sponsoring religion they can’t be involved,” Freedom From Religion Foundation legal fellow Colin McNamara told WPBN/WGTU television. 

He added, “The First Amendment Establishment Clause forbids government actors from endorsing religion.”

But members of the community are now upset. 

“Outside factors should stay out of our community,” Bruce DeBoer, owner of the Tasty Treat, told the television station. “At that point in time this was to help a young girl everyone supported it.”

Signs saying “#HarperStrong” can be seen throughout the town. 

Officials from the school released a statement implying they…

A complaint was filed against an Alabama school for praying over an intercom before high school football games. 

According to CBS 42, student and volunteer-led prayer will no longer be allowed over the Blount County School District’s intercom as a result of a complaint by an organization outside of the community. 

Superintendent Rodney Green said the district made the decision after speaking with attorneys to discern their options. Instead of prayer, the school will now pause for a moment of silence before each home game.

Reportedly, many residents are upset to hear about the change, noting that for many years they had grown accustomed to prayer being said over the loudspeaker.

“One of our youth actually led the prayer over the P.A. system and that was last week,” said Scott Wortham the youth minister at one of the community’s churches, First Baptist Church in Remlap.

“We really see no harm in praying for the welfare of our football players, and those that will be out playing, protection, and good sportsmanship,” said Wortham.

“I feel like we as Christians are being silenced and so we have to go with the majority that is very loud,” said Alecia Melvin, who also lives in Blount County.

Other area schools have also been threatened with lawsuits by outside organizations recently, the lawsuits arguing that those who do not want to be subjected…

Last December, just weeks before the Super Bowl, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz tore his ACL and LCL. On Sunday, however, the starting quarterback is finally returning to the field.

After sustaining his injuries, Wentz was taken out for the rest of the season, leaving backup quarterback Nick Foles to lead the Eagles to the franchise’s first Super Bowl win.  

Many expected there to be rivalry and tension between Foles and Wentz as Wentz was welcomed back as starting quarterback, but according to Inside the Iggles, this is not the case. Instead, CBN reports, the two were grateful for one another and praying for each other’s success.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Wentz said to CBN. “It’s been quite the grind of an off season. There’s a lot of excitement, a lot of built-up almost anxiety over when it was going to be that time, and almost relief finally being cleared to get back out there.”

CBN News sports reporter Shawn Brown recently spent time getting to know the duo and recalled that “their faith keeps them grounded.”

“It’s a competitive sport but they have a really really unique relationship that’s rooted in their faith in Christ,” Brown explains. “These guys get it. They understand each other’s roles. Nick knows that he is a backup.”

Brown recently interviewed Eagles head coach Doug Pederson and learned that the two quarterbacks…