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This doesn’t reflect our experience. My teen’s been attending GIDS since age 9 & they’re now 14. Clinicians have always been very thorough, cautious even. Assessment doesn’t end at a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. 1/8 https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1287015013513920512
Psychological exploration has been ongoing for 5 years & continuing. My child is not ‘very troubled’ & no psychological disorder has been identified during assessment with a highly qualified Systemic Family Psychotherapist & a Psychologist. 2/8
My teen has had no exposure to social media or ‘groupthink’ and they actively avoid these because they don’t think of themselves as transgender. They’ve grown up in a family environment that respects diversity so they’ve always known that we love them unconditionally. 3/8
Protection from harm runs both ways. Not affirming identity can be psychologically harmful. My child was increasingly withdrawn from age 3 & expressing they were the opposite gender. We didn’t enforce gender stereotypes & let them know they were free to express themselves. 4/8
We then did ‘watchful waiting’ for 6 years before seeking help. Watchfully waiting while our child was sinking into depression. Since social transition they’ve bloomed. They’re happy, confident and excelling at school. Enjoying life alongside their peers. 5/8
Not providing timely treatment for children can be more damaging than doing nothing or just attending therapy because of the irreversible body changes at puberty. This can safely be paused with hormone blockers allowing a young person time to mature & consider their future. 6/8
Denying them this option forces them to experience puberty which may not be right for them & subsequently may mean they’d need corrective surgery to align their bodies with their gender. This can be not only costly in monetary terms but physically and psychologically too 7/8
Trans children exist. They shouldn’t be continually questioned & analysed ‘just in case.’ A few do regret decisions but the majority shouldn’t suffer for the few either. Children deserve better treatment than they’re currently getting from the NHS, the media & from society. 8/8
