Statement from Royal College of GPs on 'Conversion Therapy' for gender identity

[Daughterofeve]

here
I am a longtime lurker on mumsnet and rarely post, but have been following trans threads and getting more and more concerned. This statement doesn't seem to recognise that sexual orientation and 'gender identity' are completely different issues. It seems more than coincidence that this statement has been released so soon after the BBC documentary last week. Reading the criticisms of the documentary by transactivists, they repeatedly accuse Dr Zucker of practising 'Conversion Therapy'. It seems that their definition of 'conversion therapy' is anything other than unquestioning and wholehearted affirmation of their 'gender identity': ie unquestioning acceptance of the 'born in the wrong body' unscientific bollocks.

[lionheart]

That seems hasty and not a little bit muddled.

[SisterMoonshine]

It is concerning.
Like they can just stamp out any doubts about lady brains etc

So conversion therapy - is that forcing boys to play with cars then?
They have to be clearer about what they mean by it.

[lionheart]

“We the undersigned UK organisations wish to state that the practice of conversion therapy has no place in the modern world. It is unethical and harmful and not supported by evidence.

"Conversion Therapy is the term for therapy that assumes certain sexual orientations or gender identities are inferior to others, and seeks to change or suppress them on that basis.

"Sexual orientations and gender identities are not mental health disorders, although exclusion, stigma and prejudice may precipitate mental health issues for any person subjected to these abuses. Anyone accessing therapeutic help should be able to do so without fear of judgement or the threat of being pressured to change a fundamental aspect of who they are.”


Do you think 'sexual orientation' includes paedophilia as well?

[SweetGrapes]

Nothing constructive to add - but oh my gosh... these are the doctors..... please tell me I misunderstand what the rcgp is!

[Thelilywhite]

oh dear thats concerning...

[lionheart]

Royal College of General Practitioners.

I think the blanket pronouncement which separates transgender identification and 'mental illness' might be questioned by those who specialise in treating dysphoria. I know it is an attempt to remove stigma and judgement but seems unhelpful as a generalisation.

[Albadross]

Why can't they accept that some people are transgender but others have psychological issues that manifest as something that appears as gender confusion?

[lionheart]

And what if that someone experiencing the gender confusion was looking for a full range of possible interventions/explanations?

[whoputthecatout]

So they don't approve of conversion therapy yet seem to have little problem with the idea that you can "convert" men into women and women into men by lopping bits off, adding bits on, blocking puberty or pumping people full of hormones or even by adding a bit of lipstick and high heels, or having a buzz cut and stuffing some socks down your pants.

Sometimes I feel I am existing in a parallel universe where XY chromosomes are myths and reproductive organs are a moveable feast.

No wonder the Mirror has a story with a stupid headlines about "a man" giving birth when even the professionals are buying into the idea that you can choose your sex as if XY chromosomes were a bag of smarties and you just pick the colour that is the flavour of the month.

[Poppyred85]

Don't worry! The RCGP frequently make all manner of pronouncements on all sorts of things. On the whole they're largely ignored or ridiculed as being completely out of touch with actual practicing GPs! Most of have a degree of pragmatism and common sense. (from a lurking feminist and GP)

[Datun]

Poppyred85

That's an relief. I was getting seriously depressed.

[tygr]

Interesting that the British Psychological Society part of the statement only talks about sexual orientation. Wonder if that's significant?