NJ hospitals ask parents to ‘identify’ pronouns and sexual orientations of newborn babies

Introduction: A Controversial New Policy in New Jersey

As if choosing the perfect name for a newborn wasn’t challenging enough, New Jersey hospitals have introduced a new layer of complexity for parents. Inspira Health, a major healthcare system in South Jersey, has begun distributing a "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questionnaire" to new parents. This form asks them to identify their baby’s gender identity and sexual orientation, sparking widespread controversy. The questionnaire, which includes categories such as "Male, Female, Transgender, Gender Queer," or "Additional gender category," also prompts parents to describe their infant’s sexual orientation using terms like "Lesbian or gay, Straight or heterosexual, Self-described, Questioning/Unsure." While the healthcare system claims the form is part of a state-mandated effort to collect demographic data in a "culturally competent and sensitive manner," many parents, politicians, and even medical professionals are calling the practice absurd and unnecessary.

The Origins of the Policy: Compliance with a New State Law

The questionnaire was introduced by Inspira Health last year to comply with a New Jersey law enacted in June 2022. The law requires healthcare providers to collect data on patients’ race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Proponents of the law argue that such data collection is essential for developing public health measures that serve all residents equitably. However, the way this law has been implemented, particularly in the context of newborns, has raised significant concerns. New Jersey State Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-Bergen) has been outspoken in her criticism, pointing out that the form appears to have been added as a last-minute amendment to a broader legislative package, with little debate or scrutiny. Schepisi suspects that the data collected may be used for unintended purposes, possibly even being sold to third parties.

Reactions from Parents: Shock, Outrage, and Confusion

The introduction of the questionnaire has left many parents stunned and outraged. Sandy Anello, a 34-year-old mother of two from Bridgewater, NJ, described the form as "completely crazy," adding, "If I was told to fill this out, I’d rip it up in front of them. It feels like we’ve entered ‘The Twilight Zone.’" Carsen Rodgers, a Jersey City mom-to-be due in April, expressed similar disbelief: "Identifying my baby as gay on Day 1 is insane. I had no idea about this form and I’m shocked." These reactions highlight the emotional and practical challenges parents face when confronted with such a form, especially during the already overwhelming experience of welcoming a newborn.

Pushback from Politicians and Medical Professionals

The backlash against the questionnaire extends beyond parents. State Sen. Holly Schepisi has vowed to introduce legislation that would revise the law, limiting the collection of such data to individuals aged 16 and older. Schepisi emphasized that the form has no medical value and serves no practical purpose, particularly for newborns. "As a mom myself, I know you’re exhausted after giving birth, you’ve got a crying newborn and you’re trying to figure out how to feed it. To be handed that sort of form in the midst of all that has no medical value. It makes no sense," she said. Schepisi’s concerns are shared by many, including some medical professionals, who question the wisdom of collecting such sensitive information from parents of newborns.

The State’s Defense: Data Collection for Public Health

Despite the outrage, defenders of the law argue that the data collection is a necessary step toward creating more inclusive and effective public health policies. Democratic State Sens. Joseph Cryan and Angela McKnight, who introduced the bill, have declined to comment publicly, but former Assemblyman Herbert Conaway, now a U.S. Representative, has defended the law. He explained that the policy was modeled after a similar statute in Indiana and is designed to provide public health officials with the data they need to serve all New Jerseyans effectively. Conaway also clarified that no parent or patient is obligated to answer the questions if they feel uncomfortable, emphasizing that the form is voluntary. Representatives for Inspira Health echoed this sentiment, noting that parents are permitted to decline to provide the requested information.

Implications and Future Steps: Balancing Privacy and Public Health

The debate over Inspira Health’s questionnaire underscores a broader tension between the need for demographic data to inform public health decisions and the rights of individuals to privacy and autonomy. While supporters of the law argue that such data collection is a step toward greater inclusivity and equity, critics warn that it risks overstepping boundaries, particularly when it comes to newborns. As the controversy unfolds, Inspira Health has revealed that it sought a waiver from the state but has yet to be granted one. Meanwhile, NYC hospitals have confirmed that they do not collect such data, raising questions about the necessity of the practice in New Jersey. With Sen. Schepisi’s promise to introduce a bill limiting the data collection to individuals aged 16 and older, the issue is likely to remain a focal point of debate in the coming months. At its core, this controversy asks: How much personal information should parents be required to disclose about their children, and at what age does it become appropriate to ask such questions? The answers, much like the questionnaire itself, remain unresolved.