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Ben Hunte BBC article about puberty blocker ban

336 replies

risefromyourgrave · 22/12/2020 09:58

Not biased at all Hmm maybe they’re trying to appease the people upset by big meanie Amol Rajan....

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-55369784

OP posts:
WorriedForWomen · 22/12/2020 10:15

Heartbreaking that the only support seemingly considered a real option for Theo's terrible distress is a potentially damaging drug. The delay for specialises mental health support seems, on the basis of this article, to be the terrible thing here.

Positrans · 22/12/2020 10:15

@CaraDuneRedux

Good grief!

So no mention of:

  • The fact that the Webberlys are currently suspended by the GMC hence practicing abroad.
  • Potential and unknown side effects including drastic drops in bone density.
- The recent article by some of the clinicians from the Tavistock which says that 98% of children on puberty blockers proceed to cross-sex hormones (something they interestingly told the high court judge they didn't know the figures for - even though, given the publication date for the article which came out a week or so after the high court judgement, they must have known and were therefore flat-out lying to the court when they said they didn't have the figures).
  • The fact that puberty blockers followed by cross-sex hormones leads to infertility.
  • The fact that testosterone use in female patients leads to vaginal atrophy and the eventual need for a radical hysterectomy.
  • The fact that the case was brought by a de-transitioning woman (formerly transman) who was absolutely convinced at the age of 17 that she was a transman - but then realised she wasn't. So the medical principle of "first do no harm" comes into play.

This is a shockingly, appallingly one-sided article.

What's the complaints link for the BBC?

On the other hand, you do have the voice of Theo, who was so distressed he tried to take his own life and spent time in intensive care. How do you think this ruling will affect the mental health of children like him?
CaraDuneRedux · 22/12/2020 10:14

This reply has been deleted

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Positrans · 22/12/2020 10:12

This is an excellent article. It's extremely important to hear the voices of the actual children who are being directly affected, and we only have to look to Keira Bell to know how distressed Emily will be by a testosterone puberty.

This ruling will be over-turned, but in the meantime I will be doing what I can to help.

pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/145/2/e20191725

CaraDuneRedux · 22/12/2020 10:11

Good grief!

So no mention of:

  • The fact that the Webberlys are currently suspended by the GMC hence practicing abroad.
  • Potential and unknown side effects including drastic drops in bone density.
- The recent article by some of the clinicians from the Tavistock which says that 98% of children on puberty blockers proceed to cross-sex hormones (something they interestingly told the high court judge they didn't know the figures for - even though, given the publication date for the article which came out a week or so after the high court judgement, they must have known and were therefore flat-out lying to the court when they said they didn't have the figures).
  • The fact that puberty blockers followed by cross-sex hormones leads to infertility.
  • The fact that testosterone use in female patients leads to vaginal atrophy and the eventual need for a radical hysterectomy.
  • The fact that the case was brought by a de-transitioning woman (formerly transman) who was absolutely convinced at the age of 17 that she was a transman - but then realised she wasn't. So the medical principle of "first do no harm" comes into play.

This is a shockingly, appallingly one-sided article.

What's the complaints link for the BBC?

NotBadConsidering · 22/12/2020 10:09

Another article that fails to mention the side effects. Every. Single. Time. And Hunte quotes Harrop, who is a GP with no expertise in children, and Webberley, disciplined by the GMC. And has an irresponsible suicide scare story. With no opposing opinions.

How is this person employed by the BBC Hmm.

Beamur · 22/12/2020 10:08

I don't doubt that the children who were expecting appointments and medication will be extremely disappointed having been told this was an essential treatment.
Maybe once the message gets changed to one that more closely resembles the scientific findings - that puberty blockers to completely stop puberty is not a pause, is experimental, has serious long term health problems and especially for girls is pretty pointless as they would be physically better advantaged for adult transition after puberty.
These kids most certainly need better mental health care, either to resolve their dysphoria or support them better to adulthood where they can make adult choices about their bodies.

OneEpisode · 22/12/2020 10:02

Ben has quotes from GenderGP and Adrian Harrop! You are spoiling us!
It does say Tavistock is appealing. I might wait to see if that is true before I write my complaint..

WorriedForWomen · 22/12/2020 10:02

Sorry, there is NO mental health support....

BertyFlanter · 22/12/2020 10:02

I can't believe the BBC are referencing GenderGp, is that jot the disgraced Webberleys?

WorriedForWomen · 22/12/2020 10:01

This article is irresponsible in a number of ways. It hammers the "suicide" point, alongside (and relatedly) repeatedly implying that without puberty blockers, there is mental health help/support for trans youth. Isn't this one of the things the Tavi has repeatedly attempted to refute?