> The health secretary said it is “absolutely right” conversion therapy is banned “for LGB people” but said a “more sensitive approach” needs to be taken when it comes to those who are transgender.
What exactly is trans conversion therapy? Is the argument kids “are who they say they are” and shouldn’t be questioned?
We have no data on detransition because GIDS didn’t collect it. The Cass report is damming about this.
If being gay turns out to be a phase, no harm is done. If a trans kid changes their mind, what then?
I’d like a clear definition of what a therapist / doctor is allowed to explore with a dysphoric child before I can have an opinion on this.
Considering “conversation therapy” could mean anything from electroshock therapy (which doesn’t happen) to just talking about it and asking “are you sure you’re trans?” (which does happen), I agree, it shouldn’t be banned outright.
> Referencing a report by an experienced paediatrician, Dr Hilary Cass, he continued: “She just published an interim report just a few weeks ago and she talked about how the children and young people, when they say they have gender dysphoria, it is right for medical experts to be able to question that and to determine what the cause might be.
Conversion therapy sounds scary because you probably just imagine gays getting electrocuted to make them straight in some old asylum or whatever, but that isn’t what it is in the UK.
The problem with what is being described as “trans conversion therapy” is that it isn’t, and it risks butting heads with gay conversion therapy. There is a ton of documented evidence from clinicians who have either whistle-blown, or who have left, the Tavistock, about the scale of young people presenting either with homophobic parents (who would rather have a straight trans child than a gay cis one) or with internalised homophobia, and going straight for the “affirmation” route when they present as potentially trans risks validating that gay conversion therapy. Most children with dysphoria end up as gay adults, rather than trans, and it’s important not to put legislation in place that would punish any medical heath professional for exploring options with the patient.
Instead of conversion therapy, invest in more centres and better training for those involved in trans healthcare so that trans or questioning individuals get the best treatment for them as soon as possible, which may reduce the need for anyone to de-transition when they are older. Gender dysphoria is complex and those who live with it or think they do will always exist, society should accept that and focus on helping giving them the best access to healthcare. Demonising them does nothing.
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> The health secretary said it is “absolutely right” conversion therapy is banned “for LGB people” but said a “more sensitive approach” needs to be taken when it comes to those who are transgender.
Wow, he actually dropped the T.
https://twitter.com/janeclarejones/status/1511476945371947010?s=20&t=FWychlxl4PwJP4rRnSkLkg
What exactly is trans conversion therapy? Is the argument kids “are who they say they are” and shouldn’t be questioned?
We have no data on detransition because GIDS didn’t collect it. The Cass report is damming about this.
If being gay turns out to be a phase, no harm is done. If a trans kid changes their mind, what then?
I’d like a clear definition of what a therapist / doctor is allowed to explore with a dysphoric child before I can have an opinion on this.
Considering “conversation therapy” could mean anything from electroshock therapy (which doesn’t happen) to just talking about it and asking “are you sure you’re trans?” (which does happen), I agree, it shouldn’t be banned outright.
> Referencing a report by an experienced paediatrician, Dr Hilary Cass, he continued: “She just published an interim report just a few weeks ago and she talked about how the children and young people, when they say they have gender dysphoria, it is right for medical experts to be able to question that and to determine what the cause might be.
Conversion therapy sounds scary because you probably just imagine gays getting electrocuted to make them straight in some old asylum or whatever, but that isn’t what it is in the UK.
The problem with what is being described as “trans conversion therapy” is that it isn’t, and it risks butting heads with gay conversion therapy. There is a ton of documented evidence from clinicians who have either whistle-blown, or who have left, the Tavistock, about the scale of young people presenting either with homophobic parents (who would rather have a straight trans child than a gay cis one) or with internalised homophobia, and going straight for the “affirmation” route when they present as potentially trans risks validating that gay conversion therapy. Most children with dysphoria end up as gay adults, rather than trans, and it’s important not to put legislation in place that would punish any medical heath professional for exploring options with the patient.
Instead of conversion therapy, invest in more centres and better training for those involved in trans healthcare so that trans or questioning individuals get the best treatment for them as soon as possible, which may reduce the need for anyone to de-transition when they are older. Gender dysphoria is complex and those who live with it or think they do will always exist, society should accept that and focus on helping giving them the best access to healthcare. Demonising them does nothing.