We Need To Rethink "Gender Affirming Care" For Our Children
A Record Of Our Dissent: Opinion Article Published in Local MA Newspaper
A local Western Massachusetts newspaper published the following opinion article by Karen, a member of ma4woman, on November 14th. Several letters in support of this article were also published. We feel this shows a marked shift in public sentiment, especially given that this newspaper is in one of the bluest towns in one of the bluest states. If you would like to add your voice, letters can be submitted here.
WE NEED TO RETHINK “GENDER AFFIRMING CARE” FOR OUR CHILDREN
How a society treats it’s children and youth reveals much about its values. Are the educators, the politicians, the media and the health care industry truly putting our kids’ welfare first? Or are they promoting a harmful ideology, the non-evidenced, feeling based “gender identity,” manufactured by adults, to support their illusion that humans can change their biological sex? An ideology which not only is confusing our youth about reality, but can lead to damaging their mental and physical health.
In recent years there has been a significant increase in the number of adolescents accessing the growing number of “gender affirming” clinics. The treatment path they provide, based on the discredited World Professional Association for Transgender Health’s guidelines, prescribes medical interventions by way of experimental and off label puberty blockers, cross sex hormones and surgeries. Frequently ignored is that gender dysphoria often masks autism, trauma, sexual/ physical abuse, mental health issues, confusion about same-sex attraction, and is deeply influenced by social contagion and internet use. The activists say that “transitioning” prevents suicidality in gender dysphoric adolescents, but there is no evidence of truth in this dangerous deception.
In order to assure that when seeking care our gender confused adolescents are appropriately diagnosed and receive the best, evidenced based treatment available, we must discard politicized ideology and approach this with an open mind, considering all available information.
In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service, alarmed by the rise in adolescents seeking “gender affirming care,” commissioned Dr. Hillary Cass, a respected Pediatrician, to review the state of care for gender dysphoric children and youth. Taking four years, and informed by thorough new systematic evidence reviews, numerous conversations with trans young people, clinicians and others, the Cass Review concluded that gender medicine was built on “shaky foundations” and “an area of remarkably weak evidence.”
Globally, this is the most comprehensive review of adolescents’ “gender care” to date. The Review has had a major impact on gender identity services in the UK, Sweden, France, Finland, Denmark, etc, but been largely ignored or criticized in the U.S by the “gender affirming care” medical and political entities.
These are some of the conclusions from the final report:
While a considerable amount of research has been published in this field, systematic evidence reviews demonstrated the poor quality of the published studies, meaning there is not a reliable evidence base upon which to make clinical decisions, or for children and their families to make informed choices.
The rationale for early puberty suppression remains unclear, with weak evidence regarding the impact on gender dysphoria, mental or psychosocial health. The effect on cognitive... development remains unknown.
The use of masculinizing / feminizing hormones in those under the age of 18 presents many unknowns. The lack of long-term follow-up data on those commencing treatment at an earlier age means we have inadequate information about the range of outcomes for this group.
Clinicians are unable to determine with any certainty which children and young people will go on to have an enduring trans identity.
For the majority of children and young people, a medical pathway may not be the best way to manage their gender- related distress.
The Cass Review should be a wake up call, a chance to rethink how best to treat our “gender” confused children and youth: a confusion caused by adults with a “gender identity” agenda. We’ve gotten ourselves into a terrible mess. How did medicalizing adolescents’ healthy bodies become acceptable? “Gender identity” ideology is distorting children’s natural exploration of identity, by insisting that “masculine” girls or “feminine” boys, often lesbian or gay, are “born in the wrong body” and should now embark on a medicalized pathway.
A search for solutions is required to untangle the truth from the lies, reality from illusion, fact from fantasy. We can begin by reassessing the concept of “gender identity,” and stop promoting it in schools.
In addition, we can listen to the the growing number of adolescents who have detransitioned. They know better than anyone the harms caused by “gender affirming care.” Initially they thought “transitioning” would be the solution to the angst of puberty, or other underlying issues, but discovered that it was a damaging fabrication. A “transition” which has left behind physical and mental scars and serious health issues. These courageous young people are the canary in the coal mine. Let’s take heed.
Karen
Record of Our Dissent is a reoccurring portion of our newsletter dedicated to publishing previously submitted letters, public testimony and comment written to oppose Massachusetts and federal laws and policies which erode the sex-based rights of women and girls as well as child safeguarding. In addition to documenting our our dissent, we hope these writings will inspire others to speak out and take action. If you have something to share with our readers please contact us at ma4women@proton.me.
Please read our NOTES to stay up to date on news items related to women’s sex-based rights and child safeguarding in MA and surrounding areas.
This is excellent. I have Restacked.
Thank you. This is the rebuttal to “Strict Scrutiny” podcast promoting gender interventions.