*Edited to add: I almost hate to "heart" this because the facts are so horrifying. And though it's rational, straightforward, and unimpeachably accurate, I don't know how many poeple I will forward it to. The people in my circle are "sick of hearing about it" even as they refuse to read and learn about it.
I have found it gobsmacking for almost 20 years now that people can be so cavalier about this stuff. What I usually end up saying is simply: "I'm not in favor of mutilating children. I'm weird that way."
Ha - what a retort. Yes, cavalier and closed-minded. Didn't our friends in the past say, Gee, I see that differently, let's discuss? That's why people describe this as a cult. To question is to offend, scare, violate the code of belief at all costs.
I learned recently that in my state (or possibly just at one particular dentist, but I don't think so), a teen under 18 can't get a dental implant for a missing adult tooth, not even with parent consent. Dentist won't do it. "They're still growing." Knowing that makes me even more furious at knowing surgeons will operate on children for gender.
Children (most of whom would grow up to be gay) can no more "consent" to have their healthy breasts and genitalia removed or take puberty blockers than they can "consent" to have sex with an adult. Similarly, parents and doctors can no more approve such permanent mutilation simply because a minor child desires it than they can approve their participation in pedophilia.
Ultimately society will see the truth and ban the practice as we have banned female genital mutilation. Do people support that practice if the parents consent? I truly hope not. It is monstrous to believe otherwise and those who do will ultimately be held to account for their actions. The obscene (now happily fired) bureaucrat Richard Levine among those in the dock.
Yes. Unfortunately, women (aunts, other relatives) carry out female genital mutilation in the countries where it is practiced: Africa and Asia, mostly. They do this to girls to ensure that their daughters become marriageable material, due to male demands re: female sexuality or lack of same. It's a huge topic with deep cultural roots and history I cannot pretend to understand.
But besides the parallel with so-called gender-affirming care that similarly destroys sex organs and pleasure, there may be parallels to made with progressive Western women who place the needs and demands of men ahead of women. I wonder if women's ardent support for "transwomen" over actual women, even in the face of logic and facts, also reflects a subconsious, deep-seated effort on the part of women to appease men, appeal to men, satisfy men.
They would not see it that way - "but transwomen ARE women," they protest - but it's theory. When it comes to brute force and political and social standing, men have more power; and women have always known that. There's a certain logic in trying to appease men, though it will not surprise anyone to learn that I do not recommend it. :-)
Me too: "I’ve grown concerned about — even alarmed by — so-called gender-affirming care. I’ve wondered: How could it possibly be ethical to respond to children’s proclamations that they are transgender by removing their healthy body parts? And sterilizing them? And damaging or destroying their sexual function?"
I'm not on the sidelines. My daughter went all in and is now unrecognizable in every dimension. It has been devastating to me, her mom, and our whole family. I now write in hopes of changing the culture that created a perfect storm in my family that we may never recover from. I hope your writing, mine and that of many others will prevent other families and other children from succumbing to irreversible alterations to their bodies that they may regret in the decades to come. Thank you again.
This is a really concise packaging of all the relevant data with some I hadn't heard before. The rational tone and fact-centered approach makes it a good one to pass along to non GC people not yet informed.
Horrifying.
*Edited to add: I almost hate to "heart" this because the facts are so horrifying. And though it's rational, straightforward, and unimpeachably accurate, I don't know how many poeple I will forward it to. The people in my circle are "sick of hearing about it" even as they refuse to read and learn about it.
I have found it gobsmacking for almost 20 years now that people can be so cavalier about this stuff. What I usually end up saying is simply: "I'm not in favor of mutilating children. I'm weird that way."
I get the sick of hearing it from friends as if I’m whining about the weather or traffic. I’m treated like a cranky old lady.
Which is of course sexist and ageist of them.
Ha - what a retort. Yes, cavalier and closed-minded. Didn't our friends in the past say, Gee, I see that differently, let's discuss? That's why people describe this as a cult. To question is to offend, scare, violate the code of belief at all costs.
I learned recently that in my state (or possibly just at one particular dentist, but I don't think so), a teen under 18 can't get a dental implant for a missing adult tooth, not even with parent consent. Dentist won't do it. "They're still growing." Knowing that makes me even more furious at knowing surgeons will operate on children for gender.
Children (most of whom would grow up to be gay) can no more "consent" to have their healthy breasts and genitalia removed or take puberty blockers than they can "consent" to have sex with an adult. Similarly, parents and doctors can no more approve such permanent mutilation simply because a minor child desires it than they can approve their participation in pedophilia.
Ultimately society will see the truth and ban the practice as we have banned female genital mutilation. Do people support that practice if the parents consent? I truly hope not. It is monstrous to believe otherwise and those who do will ultimately be held to account for their actions. The obscene (now happily fired) bureaucrat Richard Levine among those in the dock.
Yes. Unfortunately, women (aunts, other relatives) carry out female genital mutilation in the countries where it is practiced: Africa and Asia, mostly. They do this to girls to ensure that their daughters become marriageable material, due to male demands re: female sexuality or lack of same. It's a huge topic with deep cultural roots and history I cannot pretend to understand.
But besides the parallel with so-called gender-affirming care that similarly destroys sex organs and pleasure, there may be parallels to made with progressive Western women who place the needs and demands of men ahead of women. I wonder if women's ardent support for "transwomen" over actual women, even in the face of logic and facts, also reflects a subconsious, deep-seated effort on the part of women to appease men, appeal to men, satisfy men.
They would not see it that way - "but transwomen ARE women," they protest - but it's theory. When it comes to brute force and political and social standing, men have more power; and women have always known that. There's a certain logic in trying to appease men, though it will not surprise anyone to learn that I do not recommend it. :-)
Beautifully done. Thank you. I have restacked.
Thanks, Susan!
Excellent overview. Thank you.
Me too: "I’ve grown concerned about — even alarmed by — so-called gender-affirming care. I’ve wondered: How could it possibly be ethical to respond to children’s proclamations that they are transgender by removing their healthy body parts? And sterilizing them? And damaging or destroying their sexual function?"
I'm not on the sidelines. My daughter went all in and is now unrecognizable in every dimension. It has been devastating to me, her mom, and our whole family. I now write in hopes of changing the culture that created a perfect storm in my family that we may never recover from. I hope your writing, mine and that of many others will prevent other families and other children from succumbing to irreversible alterations to their bodies that they may regret in the decades to come. Thank you again.
This is a really concise packaging of all the relevant data with some I hadn't heard before. The rational tone and fact-centered approach makes it a good one to pass along to non GC people not yet informed.
Thanks Amanda!