That last one always frustrates me to read. Nobody would make the same argument for an invasive tumour removal operation. Gender dysphoria is a life threatening condition, and if an expert is convinced that early permanent intervention is required, then it should be performed. Transitioning is not in the same category as a piercing or a tattoo. It’s a life saving treatment.
This is not to say that such drastic measures should be taken lightly. It seems to be generally avoidable.
I would argue that if you had a tumor at age ten then waiting until 18 may not be possible, but you could wait until you’re 18 to make permanent changes to your body as part of a transition. Although I accept that gender dysphoria can be extremely challenging to mental health, I don’t think it’s equatable to dying from cancer.
There are many things children can do to transition up to the point they are an adult and fully responsible for themselves that are wholly reversible. I personally think that’s where the line should be drawn.
I do understand however that it’s an extremely nuanced subject and I’m not going to pretend I’m an expert. I can only speak from personal experience that I wouldn’t want to be held to account for many of the things I said, the beliefs I had and the opinions that I held when I was a child (I don’t even want to be held to account for some of those things as an adult, but that’s life, after you’re considered an adult, it’s on you).
It’s not always possible to wait until 18. I do agree that reversible treatments tend to be enough until the time is right, but don’t want to completely prevent early permanent treatment if the medical professionals think it’s necessary.
That last one always frustrates me to read. Nobody would make the same argument for an invasive tumour removal operation. Gender dysphoria is a life threatening condition, and if an expert is convinced that early permanent intervention is required, then it should be performed. Transitioning is not in the same category as a piercing or a tattoo. It’s a life saving treatment.
This is not to say that such drastic measures should be taken lightly. It seems to be generally avoidable.
I would argue that if you had a tumor at age ten then waiting until 18 may not be possible, but you could wait until you’re 18 to make permanent changes to your body as part of a transition. Although I accept that gender dysphoria can be extremely challenging to mental health, I don’t think it’s equatable to dying from cancer.
There are many things children can do to transition up to the point they are an adult and fully responsible for themselves that are wholly reversible. I personally think that’s where the line should be drawn.
I do understand however that it’s an extremely nuanced subject and I’m not going to pretend I’m an expert. I can only speak from personal experience that I wouldn’t want to be held to account for many of the things I said, the beliefs I had and the opinions that I held when I was a child (I don’t even want to be held to account for some of those things as an adult, but that’s life, after you’re considered an adult, it’s on you).
It’s not always possible to wait until 18. I do agree that reversible treatments tend to be enough until the time is right, but don’t want to completely prevent early permanent treatment if the medical professionals think it’s necessary.