Welcome to your first day working in a gender center. We have prepared a training for you. (Well we actually took slides directly from the training that Aaron Kimberly was given, see yesterday’s essay for more background).
We hope you find the training to be scientifically rigorous, framed in medical standards without any activist bias, and comprehensive.
Example 1. Strange that they start the training with so many assumptions. First that everyone is not trans, second ignoring that some experience childhood gender dysphoria and out grow it, third that its ok to label someone else as ‘cis.’
Example 2. Seriously extreme statistics with no consideration for why these numbers are so high. Activist images.
Example 3. Real question. Do non-binary youth actually need hormone ‘therapy’?
Example 4. Stigma is always cited as the cause.
Example 5. Complex gender identify. Just don’t worry about it!
Example 6. The Standards of Care apparently are evolving and are not settled science.
Example 7. Every pathway is positive. A person’s gender may be fluid or multiple. Yet the medical interventions are definitely not. How is that rectified?
Example 8. Assessment is not warranted, ok to deliver in primary care settings, and honestly have no idea what the last bullet even means.
Thanks for reading LGBT Courage Coalition ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Example 9. First reference to gender dysphoria, with no definition. The arrows lead to an X over the DSM-5.
Example 10. Chest Surgery- under 16. Genital Surgery- under 18. These are cited as the “current practices in Canada and the USA.”
Example 11. Based on the Dutch, with no scientific discussion or explanation. Or that a young person died in the study from surgical complications. Also that the recommendations are “shifting” but apparently they mean shifting to be more lax and ‘individualized.”
Example 13. Could not make this up if we tried.
Thank you for sharing your time with us today; you are ready to work in a gender center.
As always! We are seeking your submissions, action alert ideas, essays. Please submit to LGBTcourgaecoalition@gmail.com
My own experience when I brought my then almost 14-year-old daughter to one of these places shortly before Covid hit (which worked out because I didn't have to argue with my daughter about why we were never going back) matches this training. She shyly asked the person at the counter what name she was supposed to put on the form. The lady loudly proclaimed: "Use your chosen name, as we will NEVER use your DEAD NAME!" She had literally just met my daughter 2 seconds earlier, but somehow knew she had a "dead name." The counselor was no better. I asked him how many people who come to this place end up following through with medical interventions. He said that basically everyone does. He then explained so patiently and sweetly that, although this may seem surprising, and he would have thought not everyone would follow through himself, in fact, everyone who comes here knows who they are. He explained that this made sense to him once he realized it was just like being gay - which he was - and so, of course, these people were very sure of what they wanted. I just smiled politely, and left as quickly as possible, a sickening feeling in my stomach. There was no point having a debate with someone so steeped in ideology - and I knew we would never be going back.
My own experience when I brought my then almost 14-year-old daughter to one of these places shortly before Covid hit (which worked out because I didn't have to argue with my daughter about why we were never going back) matches this training. She shyly asked the person at the counter what name she was supposed to put on the form. The lady loudly proclaimed: "Use your chosen name, as we will NEVER use your DEAD NAME!" She had literally just met my daughter 2 seconds earlier, but somehow knew she had a "dead name." The counselor was no better. I asked him how many people who come to this place end up following through with medical interventions. He said that basically everyone does. He then explained so patiently and sweetly that, although this may seem surprising, and he would have thought not everyone would follow through himself, in fact, everyone who comes here knows who they are. He explained that this made sense to him once he realized it was just like being gay - which he was - and so, of course, these people were very sure of what they wanted. I just smiled politely, and left as quickly as possible, a sickening feeling in my stomach. There was no point having a debate with someone so steeped in ideology - and I knew we would never be going back.
The "no assessment needed" is key evidence of legal liability.