Ron DeSantis wrapped up arguably the most successful, conservative special session in Florida’s history on Friday. The achievements stretch a mile long, including constitutional carry, an abortion ban, battling Disney, stopping the sexualization of children in schools, and legislation combatting ESG.

(Also see: Sit-In at DeSantis Office Results in Arrests and One Legendary Photo)

One of the most important accomplishments, though, was a ban on so-called “gender-affirming care” for minors. That bill is on the way to DeSantis’ desk, and he’s already promised to sign it.

Right on cue, the usual suspects are already throwing a fit. During DeSantis’ end-of-session press conference, one reporter tried to play the issue up as Florida denying children “healthcare,” and the governor exploded in response.

WATCH: DeSantis interrupts reporter on sex transition for minors

"Seriously? … I know people in your industry will dress it up with a euphemism, and they'll say it's 'healthcare' to cut off the private parts of a 14 or 15-year-old. That is not healthcare, that is mutilation." pic.twitter.com/Nok2YuYmbk

— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) May 5, 2023

REPORTER: Do you think American voters want (unintelligible)…

DESANTIS: How many of these people are paid to come? I mean honestly, it’s like, seriously, some of this stuff is just totally manufactured, and when you talk to people, and I know like people in your industry will dress it up in a euphemism, and they’ll say it’s healthcare to cut off the private parts of a 14 or 15-year-old. That is not healthcare, it’s mutilation.

So when we’re standing up against that, we’re protecting kids.

DeSantis went on to offer the example of a girl named Chloe Cole, who was transitioned by her parents and ultimately regretted it. He also noted that around 80-90 percent of children that claim to be transgender grow out of it by the time they reach adulthood (the specific stat is 80 percent). Given that, who in their right mind would endorse permanently altering the bodies and/or chemical make-ups of confused kids?

That’s one thing that’s always bothered me about this entire debate. Even if you accept that nonsense that is gender ideology (and I obviously don’t on any level, at any age), wouldn’t it make far more sense to play it safe with children and ensure they reach maturity before allowing them to make life-altering decisions?

Yet, the radicals in the transgender movement see transitioning as some kind of religious rite. They’ve also convinced wide swaths of people (though most Americans do not support gender ideology) that if parents don’t chop the private parts off their children, the only option left will be suicide. That is a grossly manipulative false dichotomy meant to bolster the ludicrous notion that one must “affirm” a child’s delusions or doom them.

Some on the right wince when DeSantis and others go so hard on this issue. They want to find a middle ground where Caitlyn Jenner promoting transgenderism is fine but we just protect girls’ sports. As I’ve said before, though, there only way to fight this scourage is to go right at it. There is no halfway point with radical gender ideology. If allowed to fester, it will consume entire generations, leading to nothing but death and despair.