This is a really wonderful piece! It rings so true with both my life experience and my professional experience as a psychologist working with gender dysphoric adults. I have long thought that the explosion in numbers of patients presenting gender dysphoria is primarily due to the increased availability of cosmetic surgeries and hormones. People are a lot less likely to become and remain preoccupied with a magical solution to their distress when no magical solutions are offered to them.
Wow, wow, wow. I can’t like this enough. I’m in long term recovery and I feel this perspective so much. 12 step is about engaging with “life on life’s terms”. Trans is the ultimate maladaptive coping mechanism, it’s avoidance on steroids. A terrible way to run from the gay self, run from the autism, run from the trauma. This is deep transcendent truth that you are speaking here. And the piece about pride, real pride, the kind you can only get from surrendered radical acceptance of the self. It brings me nearly to tears to think about all the incredible gay and lesbian people standing up against this. So proud, so strong. ❤️🙏
I would just add that I prefer to keep an open mind that it's possible that in some (probably rare) cases it may not be maladaptive. We really don't know for sure, do we?
Yes we do. The original “sex reassignment clinic” at John’s Hopkins closed because the patients got worse psychiatrically post transition. And the whole idea that you need to radically transform the body and sometimes self-castrate in order to become the authentic self is absurd on its face.
You echo my sentiments exactly-back in the day, we produced a pride march, rally and entertainment without corporate sponsorship. It was brave to march in public before gay rights; some wore hats glasses, wigs to disguise themselves because it was a very real risk. Now, we must be brave again.
Terrific piece. The analogy is superb, and bravas to you for your own success. While I have not gone through your experience, my Dad struggled mightily, and with the help of AA, he finally prevailed. It takes huge discipline and courage—and supportive community, just as you describe. Thank you so much for sharing this and all else you do and are. I have restacked.
Thank you for writing this. I found it very inspiring. I too see the old pride in those splitting from the TQ. The prejudice coming from them towards LGB who don’t now down feels familiar. It is disappointing that we have to have this fight again. We don’t even have a public that knows there is a fight to be had. We will come out on top because sanity and logic are on our side.
Fantastic piece, a lot of wisdom for the gender dysphoric, whether gay/lesbian or straight. Wishing this kind of column was out there more for kids and young people to consume.
There is definitely a lot of bandwagoning - some of it well intentioned, but vulnerable children, teens and young adults are being harmed - many irreparably- by the pseudo research, biased surveys, confirmation bias, and a
narrative that is NOT backed up by solid scientific study. I don't think solid, unbiased studies can even be done in the current atmosphere.
This wouldn't be the first time that well-intentioned intervention causes unintended harm. It's very troubling that one can't even have even allude to the possibility that we actually don't have enough data to understand what is happening or how to respond to it. One is instantly vilified as a hater and the conversation is quickly halted. I can talk about this with one close friend. Both of us know we can't share our doubts and fears with most people we know.
Brava!
Yes, “Pride” today has been hijacked. It’s been commercialized, politicized, and queered into meaninglessness.
I would like June to be just plain June again.
This is a really wonderful piece! It rings so true with both my life experience and my professional experience as a psychologist working with gender dysphoric adults. I have long thought that the explosion in numbers of patients presenting gender dysphoria is primarily due to the increased availability of cosmetic surgeries and hormones. People are a lot less likely to become and remain preoccupied with a magical solution to their distress when no magical solutions are offered to them.
Wow, wow, wow. I can’t like this enough. I’m in long term recovery and I feel this perspective so much. 12 step is about engaging with “life on life’s terms”. Trans is the ultimate maladaptive coping mechanism, it’s avoidance on steroids. A terrible way to run from the gay self, run from the autism, run from the trauma. This is deep transcendent truth that you are speaking here. And the piece about pride, real pride, the kind you can only get from surrendered radical acceptance of the self. It brings me nearly to tears to think about all the incredible gay and lesbian people standing up against this. So proud, so strong. ❤️🙏
Thank you so much for your kind words. This one was written in the language of the heart for sure.
I would just add that I prefer to keep an open mind that it's possible that in some (probably rare) cases it may not be maladaptive. We really don't know for sure, do we?
Yes we do. The original “sex reassignment clinic” at John’s Hopkins closed because the patients got worse psychiatrically post transition. And the whole idea that you need to radically transform the body and sometimes self-castrate in order to become the authentic self is absurd on its face.
You echo my sentiments exactly-back in the day, we produced a pride march, rally and entertainment without corporate sponsorship. It was brave to march in public before gay rights; some wore hats glasses, wigs to disguise themselves because it was a very real risk. Now, we must be brave again.
Terrific piece. The analogy is superb, and bravas to you for your own success. While I have not gone through your experience, my Dad struggled mightily, and with the help of AA, he finally prevailed. It takes huge discipline and courage—and supportive community, just as you describe. Thank you so much for sharing this and all else you do and are. I have restacked.
Thank you Susan!
Solidarity, LGB Courage Coalition and LeAnne.
Thank you. We are definitely in solidarity.
Such good writing!
Beautifully said LeAnne. Thank you and Congratulations ... one day at a time.
Great post, LeAnne.
bisexual female and former active alcoholic here, much love and solidarity! <3
Thank you for sharing your story. Good for you!
Thank you for writing this. I found it very inspiring. I too see the old pride in those splitting from the TQ. The prejudice coming from them towards LGB who don’t now down feels familiar. It is disappointing that we have to have this fight again. We don’t even have a public that knows there is a fight to be had. We will come out on top because sanity and logic are on our side.
Fantastic piece, a lot of wisdom for the gender dysphoric, whether gay/lesbian or straight. Wishing this kind of column was out there more for kids and young people to consume.
Thank you.
There is definitely a lot of bandwagoning - some of it well intentioned, but vulnerable children, teens and young adults are being harmed - many irreparably- by the pseudo research, biased surveys, confirmation bias, and a
narrative that is NOT backed up by solid scientific study. I don't think solid, unbiased studies can even be done in the current atmosphere.
This wouldn't be the first time that well-intentioned intervention causes unintended harm. It's very troubling that one can't even have even allude to the possibility that we actually don't have enough data to understand what is happening or how to respond to it. One is instantly vilified as a hater and the conversation is quickly halted. I can talk about this with one close friend. Both of us know we can't share our doubts and fears with most people we know.
I cant wait until all you close minded boomers are worm food