Last week, this email was sent  asking South Dakotans to contact the President and CEO of Sanford Health and to urge him to cancel the Midwest Gender Identity Summit scheduled for January 13, 2023, at the Sanford Research Center. Sanford Health and The Transformation Project were billed as participants in this event.

The Summit was brought to the attention of Gov. Kristi Noem, who took immediate action by canceling the state’s contract with “The Transformation Project,” a non-profit whose mission is “supporting and empowering transgender youth.” Gov. Noem stated, “We should not be dividing our youth with radical ideologies. We should treat every single individual equally as a human being.”

We are grateful that Gov. Noem terminated the state’s contract. According to Ian Fury, Gov. Noem’s Chief of Communications, the contract was signed without the Governor’s knowledge or approval, and she is now reviewing all Department of Health contracts.

You may read the media articles in the Daily Signal and the Dakota News Now. 

ACTION:  Contact Gov. Noem at 605-773-3212 or her online contact form and thank her for terminating the state’s contract with “The Transformation Project.” Thank her for this first important step in protecting South Dakota children from the unethical medical intervention that destroys the health and well-being of children.

I want to thank all those who engaged in this issue. Your prayers and activism made a difference!

Linda Schauer
State Director