On HBO’s Real Time Friday, host Bill Maher criticized progressive states for keeping parents in the dark when their children pursue gender transitions. Maher stated the real problem with parental rights isn’t red states banning transitions for minors—it’s blue states like California and New Jersey preventing schools from informing parents about such decisions.
The comment followed remarks from CNN contributor and Democratic strategist Paul Begala, who argued that politicians should not interfere with parents by banning gender transitions for minors. Maher disagreed, stating, “Out here in California and in New Jersey, it’s the schools who are not allowed to even tell the parents.” He described that as a more serious concern.
Maher went on to voice deeper concerns about youth gender transitions, arguing that children and teenagers often don’t have the maturity to make permanent life-altering decisions. “I didn’t know what the f*** was going on when I was eight years old,” he said. “I was unhappy when I was a teenager. If someone offered this as the solution, I might go for it.”
He referenced international trends in medical policy, noting that the United States is becoming an outlier as other countries scale back gender-related treatments for minors. “All the other countries pulled back on this, because they said, we don’t know,” Maher explained. “Sometimes they’re just gay and sometimes they’re just confused and sometimes they’re just depressed.”
Maher concluded by warning of the irreversible nature of surgical and hormonal gender procedures. “Once you start taking off body parts, you can’t reverse it,” he said.
Maher’s remarks echo growing national debates over parental rights in education and healthcare, especially concerning gender identity. Conservative lawmakers have increasingly pushed for transparency laws requiring schools to notify parents if a child identifies as transgender, while progressive leaders argue such disclosures can endanger students. Maher’s stance places him at odds with many in liberal circles, but aligns with a broader concern about government overreach and the role of parents in guiding their children’s development.
