A Recent Spate of Articles about Doctors & Scientists Questioning Pediatric Medical Transition for Gender Dysphoria
News
While the majority of articles and discourse around socially and medically transitioning minors with gender dysphoria have featured positive stories, there have recently been more doctors, scientists, and academics publicly calling for proof of safety and claiming there are dangers involved.
Heather Brunskell-Evans (Philosopher/ Social Theorist) and Michele Moore (Professor, Social Justice & Global Responsibility) are the editors of a book with several contributors who believe trans identity is being actively promoted and over-diagnosed in minors. The book is called Inventing Transgender Children and Young People. Brunskell-Evans describes the threats of censorship and threats to their careers for holding these viewpoints:
Since the publication of the book Transgender Children and Young People: Born In Your Own Body there have been ferocious attempts to silence myself and my co-editor Michele Moore, including sustained attacks on our careers, livelihoods and reputations the likes of which we have never previously experienced in our long academic careers. The publication of our second book, Inventing Transgender Children and Young People, was temporarily interrupted following a threat of litigation by the NHS Tavistock and Portman Hospital Trust UK, home to the Gender Identity Development Services (GIDS). So, not only have we experienced constant attempts to silence our views on the transgendering of children, in the past few weeks we have undergone the nerve-racking fear that our second book might not even be published.
An interview with Brunskell-Evans can be found in “No child is born in the wrong body” with Michele Moore & Heather Brunskell-Evans.”
The Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) in Britain hired lawyers in regards to the book:
A law firm instructed by the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) wrote to the editors of 'Inventing Transgender Children and Young People', which warns that the rocketing number of youngsters now seeking to change sex is becoming a scandal.
Lawyers representing Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, which runs the clinic, claimed many of those who had contributed to the book will have been employed by the gender service and may have broken NHS confidentiality rules.
They said the Tavistock feared the book may contain comments 'defamatory' of its staff.
There are health professionals from Tavistock (the clinic where youth with GD are treated in Britain by the GIDS) and the National Health Service also raising concerns:
Transgender children who undergo medical or surgical treatments risk “serious and irreversible damage”, a leading psychiatrist has warned, as he accuses lobby group of “silencing debate”.
Sue Evans is a former Tavistock therapist commenting on a mother’s lawsuit:
“Former Tavistock therapist claims doctors are over diagnosing transgender children”
Today we’re joined by former Tavistock therapist Sue Evans, who after becoming alarmed at the speed in which the clinic offered treatment to children, has now become a whistleblower in support of the mother’s legal action.
Marcus Evans, a former psychiatrist with Tavistock, criticizes what he feels is a lackadaisical attitude toward irreversible medical treatments offered to children/teens:
Normal medical practice is not taking place in my view. There’s not enough research. There’s not enough interest in the downside of what’s going on. There’s not enough scrutiny of the issue of consent. And I think we need an independent regulatory body that would oversee this controversial area.
This creative writing professor comments on transgender books in schools:
Children are being put at risk by transgender books in primary schools that “misrepresent” medical knowledge on puberty blockers, an academic has claimed.
Books and lesson plans that are designed educate pupils about transgender issues “fail child safeguarding and conflict with the law”, according to Dr Susan Matthews, an honorary senior research fellow in creative writing at Roehampton University.
The below blog post contains commentary from a Swedish psychiatrist translated into English from this newspaper article:
“Psychiatrist: Gender dysphoria spreads like an epidemic online”
The number of cases of gender dysphoria has increased explosively in recent years, especially among young people. I am appalled at the drastic, irrevocable and unscientific treatment. This may be our country’s biggest healthcare scandal ever…
There needs to be an independent investigation into the probably biggest health scandal in our country’s history.
The public blogging platform Medium censored the original post by removing it altogether for an unspecified “violation.” Censorship around these issues is common.
The same author has written another other piece questioning the safety of pediatric medical transition:
“Läkartidningen: Off-label prescribing of hormones in gender dysphoria should be investigated”
In the United States, Dr. Laidlaw, an endocrinologist, discusses the serious health risks involved with the hormone blocker to cross-sex hormone protocol for minors:
Dr. Laidlaw on the real dangers of puberty and hormone blockers on young people
Another more cautiously minded US doctor:
Johns Hopkins professor on child transgender trend: ‘Many will regret this’
A psychiatrist from Johns Hopkins University has slammed the medical and psychiatric industries for what he says is reckless and irresponsible treatment of patients who claim to be transgender.
Julia Mason is a US pediatrician (and on the GHQ advisory board). Her comments are below:
“A physician is worried about gender transition in pediatrics”
I’ve learned that if I refer a patient to the gender clinic, they are going to get the maximalist treatment. They’re not going to get any help figuring out if they really need the full medical/surgical transition. I am now wary of referring to the gender clinic.
This letter from Australia, by the National Association of Practising Psychiatrists, was written in addition to one by several other doctors, scientists, and concerned individuals, calling for a government inquiry into the safety of pediatric medical transition.
The Hon Greg Hunt
Federal Minister for Health
Parliament House
CanberraThe National Association of Practising Psychiatrists respectfully request:
1. The commonwealth government set up a parliamentary enquiry into the treatment of gender dysphoria in children in Australia;
2. All medical colleges who have member doctors involved in treating gender dysphoria children (paediatricians, general practitioners, surgeons, endocrinologists, gynaecologists, psychiatrists), along with the AMA, the NAPP and other representative medical bodies, and the Medical Board of Australia form a joint committee to develop a set of practice guidelines for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents under the age of 18 years presenting with gender dysphoria.
Psychologist Dr. Oren Amitay is a Canadian concerned about the affirmative model and the risks to young people who may need more mental hea;th exploration and time to mature. He has faced social punishment from other Canadian psychologists:
“Telling the truth on trans issues got me cancelled: one psychologist’s story“
These comments are in stark contrast to the opinions of affirmative model advocates, like Johanna Olson-Kennedy (head of USPATH), who believe in lowing age of consent for surgery and hormones.
References:
Amitay, O. (2019, September 20). Telling the truth on trans issues got me cancelled: one psychologist’s story. The Post Millennial. Retrieved from https://www.thepostmillennial.com/telling-the-truth-on-trans-issues-got-me-cancelled-one-psychologists-story/
Brunskell-Evans, H. Inventing Transgender Children and Young People. (2019, October 12). Retrieved from http://www.heather-brunskell-evans.co.uk/body-politics/inventing-transgender-children-and-young-people-2/Turner
Dr. Laidlaw on the real dangers of puberty and hormone blockers on young people. (2019, September 12). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04rbrvuV1z4&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0dDYgL1p13SpKWBLe1R1RJAo6wCuBQhzgJW2M0VIshETuuqJW-AwK4r54
Kids Aren’t Alright. (2019, October 14). RT International. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxL3uFGstmw
Lencki, M. (2019, September 17). Johns Hopkins professor on child transgender trend: ‘Many will regret this.’ The College Fix. Retrieved from https://www.thecollegefix.com/johns-hopkins-professor-on-child-transgender-trend-many-will-regret-this/
Manning, S. (2019, October 12). Britain's first children's gender identity clinic hired lawyers to 'silence' book publishers who warned the rocketing number of youngsters seeking to change sex is 'becoming a scandal.' Daily Mail. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7566851/Britains-childrens-gender-identity-clinic-hired-lawyers-silence-critics-new-book.html
Mason, J. (2019, October 7). A physician is worried about gender transition in pediatrics. Retrieved from https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2019/10/a-physician-is-worried-about-gender-transition-in-pediatrics.html?fbclid=IwAR0J3bCERzR9hjAC1meocJJnEXUL5detxhyoNHPfpPs24ONyO3qAhYnOwjw
Lane, B. (2019, Septemeber 25). Doctors back inquiry on kids’ trans care. The Australian. Retrieved from https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/doctors-back-inquiry-on-kids-trans-care/news-story/6f352bc99da430b194620a2605e8a50d
NAAP. (2019, October 16). Gender Dysphoria – National Enquiry. Retrieved https://napp.org.au/2019/10/gender-dysphoria-national-enquiry/
Roman, S. (2019, September 13). DN Åsikt. ”Könsdysfori sprids som en epidemi på nätet”. Dagens Nyheter. Retrieved from https://www.ihmistenkirjo.net/blog/psychiatrist-gender-dysphoria-spreads-like-an-epidemic-online (English translation here)
Svens, K., Roman, S. (2019, October 10). Läkartidningen: Off-label prescribing of hormones in gender dysphoria should be investigated. KIRJO. Retrieved from https://www.ihmistenkirjo.net/blog/lkartidningen-off-label-prescribing-of-hormones-in-gender-dysphoria-should-be-investigated
Transgendertrend. (2019, April 17). Johanna Olson-Kennedy and the US Gender Affirmative Approach. Retrieved from https://www.transgendertrend.com/johanna-olson-kennedy-gender-affirmative-approach/
Transgendertrend. (2019, June 21). Transgender Trend Statement in Support of Michele Moore. Retrieved from https://www.transgendertrend.com/transgender-trend-statement-support-michele-moore/
Turner, C. (2019, September 4). Children being put at risk by transgender books that 'misrepresent' medical knowledge, academic claims. The Telegraph. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/04/transgender-children-medically-treated-risk-serious-irreversible/
Turner, C. (2019, September 4). Transgender children who are medically treated risk 'serious and irreversible damage', leading psychiatrist warns. The Telegraph. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/04/transgender-children-medically-treated-risk-serious-irreversible/
Womansplaceuk. (2019, October 14). “No child is born in the wrong body” with Michele Moore & Heather Brunskell-Evans. Retrieved from https://womansplaceuk.org/2019/10/14/no-child-is-born-in-the-wrong-body-with-michele-moore-heather-brunskell-evans/amp/
In Gender Dysphoria Youth, Trans Youth Ethics Tags trans activist extremism