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Observer today re Keira Bell

87 replies

rogdmum · 06/12/2020 08:01

There’s also two great stories in the Sunday Telegraph today which deserve their own thread (I’ll not hog all the thread starting) but here’s the Observer with quote from Bayswater Support Group:

“The Bayswater Support Group, which describes itself as supporting “the parents of children with adolescent-onset gender dysphoria” who want to “explore all options before resorting to irreversible medical treatments and surgery”, welcomed the ruling.

A spokesperson said the UK’s current approach affirming a child’s need to transition was embedded at an institutional level.

One mother belonging to the group said: “Nothing can describe the fear you feel as a parent when you realise that medical transition is the only solution presented to your child for distress around their gender identity. Given that institutions – from schools to government, charities to the NHS – have supported this route, we have felt powerless to intervene.”

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/06/keira-bell-lawyer-warns-on-internet-coverage-of-transgender-issues

OP posts:
xxyzz · 06/12/2020 09:28

I'm not surprised. The Observer has at least one senior staff member who I follow on Twitter who is clearly GC, but who I won't name, to prevent them getting a load of grief on social media or from colleagues. Bravo to them for this.

Thingybob · 06/12/2020 09:20

This quote from a Mermaids mother jumped out at me from that article and I feel so sorry for all those families that have been taken in and damaged by this nonsense. I hope someone is offering them good quality mental health support

"I thought the facts were so abundantly clear, waiting lists aside, nobody serious could object to the status quo"

notassigned · 06/12/2020 09:20

Absolutely excellent Observer article. It puts clear blue water between 'gender dysphoria' and 'being trans'. TRAs believe that being trans is an innate condition, whereas gender dysphoria is a medical condition in need of treating. This distinction will help us win the argument by allowing the space for other forms of treatment to fill the PB void, such as counselling and waiting.

Clearly from the TRA point of view the whole purpose of PBs is to continue on to CSH. Because they believe that if a 5 year old says they are trans, they are. So why wouldn't the child continue all the way? However the only way that TRAs and their ideologically captured services such as GIDS can get away with prescribing them is with the 'thinking time' argument. And that untruth that they had so successfully weaved until now is what has allowed this case to be successful. They have essentially been hoisted by their own spin.

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 06/12/2020 09:06

@Taswama

Thanks for sharing. I always think of the Observer as the Guardian on Sunday so am pleasantly surprised.
I was going to say exactly that but you beat me to it.
Taswama · 06/12/2020 09:02

Thanks for sharing. I always think of the Observer as the Guardian on Sunday so am pleasantly surprised.

NeurotrashWarrior · 06/12/2020 08:57

When even the safeguarding lead files a complaint, you've got issues.

Siameasy · 06/12/2020 08:56

Is this now an end to this sorry era of children being affirmed and issued PB drugs?
Now that it will be pretty difficult for kids to get these drugs the whole raison d’etre of Mermaids must be called into question. You won’t be able to do what she did to her child.
The child will still be able to “socially transition” but without the drugs, puberty will kick in.

SunsetBeetch · 06/12/2020 08:52

Are the US Guardian staff going to revolt again?

EdgeOfACoin · 06/12/2020 08:43

The Observer really diverges from the Guardian on this issue, doesn't it?

Siablue · 06/12/2020 08:38

This is a very balanced article (surprisingly so). I hope this marks a turning of the tide.

I do feel for the children who have had their treatment withdrawn. It must have come as a big shock to them but they have been badly let down by the clinic that was meant to be supporting them. I hope they do get some actual mental health support.

Winesalot · 06/12/2020 08:21

Thanks rogdmum