Commentaries by Alex Müller | Human Rights Watch

We’re Having the Wrong Fight Over Youth Gender-Affirming Care

1662222 / Pixabay

We’re Having the Wrong Fight Over Youth Gender-Affirming Care

Alex Müller | Human Rights Watch

July 8, 2026 03:29:56 pm

As debates over gender-affirming care intensify across many countries, lawmakers, physicians and human rights advocates risk becoming trapped in the wrong question. Public discussion often revolves around whether there is enough evidence to justify treatment, as though medicine can proceed only once certainty has been achieved. But as a physician, I know that certainty is [...]

THIS DAY @ LAW

District of Columbia named seat of US government

On July 16, 1790, the District of Columbia was established as the permanent seat of the United States government by the Residence Act. Originally the district contained land on both sides of the Potomac, grants from Maryland and Virginia, but in the mid-19th century, when it was obvious that the major government buildings were being built on the Maryland side, Virginia asked for its land back and received it. Learn more about the District of Columbia.

Saddam Hussein becomes President of Iraq

On July 16, 1979, Hasan al-Bakr resigned as President of Iraq. He was replaced by Saddam Hussein, who held power until he was deposed by American forces in 2003. In 2006, Hussein was tried and convicted of crimes against humanity. He was executed by hanging later that year. Learn more about relations between the United States and Saddam Hussein from George Washington University.