Modern Conversion Therapy

I just read the policy proposal and noted the names of the case studies that were taken from the public domain.

Keira, Richie, Sinead and Jackie!

As far as it goes these seem like good guidelines. But I don't know that I think there needs to be any laws about conversion therapy. I just don't really think that's the most appropriate institution to be dealing with that kind of question?

Surely some of that stuff, in the general sense, must already be illegal?

But everyone remains their natal sex anyway! Part of the point is to make sure that people understand that and are utterly realistic about the changes that can be made, the unwanted as well as the wanted effects, and the need to live with other people's recognition of your natal sex.

If you knew all that and chose to take the hormones anyway, fair enough.

@OldCrone
Apologies to @Stephannee if I'm stealing her thunder, but gender dysphoria certainly exists and it can be debilitating if not addressed. I know. The question is if and how society can accommodate those who find life unbearable living in their natal sex.

What is a "trans person"? Can you give a description of what makes a person "trans"?

Do people who are "really trans" exist?

"have confounding mental-health issues that have not been not addressed"

As a ND trans woman, and one who has experienced significant episodes of anxiety and depression, that sent a shiver down my spine. Hormone therapy has made me a lot more comfortable in my own body and the idea that mental health issues (however defined) could be weaponised against someone seeking gender affirming care terrifies me.

not at all. Ban adults from fast-tracking children through permanent transformation without first looking at underlying causes of dysphoria and without glossing over the very serious implications long term.

I'm exhausted by that silly phrase. Either explain properly what you actually mean or let's agree it's just a 'squirrel!' yell to try and end a conversation you don't like.

Bravo Sex Matters, agree with every word.

In other words "ban trans people from existing" but use wording that makes it sound like a good thing?

they thought of this
if you go to the ws there is a document which includes the actual wording of the proposed legislation and it provides an exemption for treating people with verified DSD

I think it's a stroke of genius, well done Sex Matters

Yes, that should be something like:

and treatment performed on anyone who does not have the capacity to understand the full implications of the treatment.

No child has the capacity to understand the full implications of a treatment which will leave them with impaired sexual function as an adult.

No child has the capacity to understand the full implications of a treatment which will sterilise them. It would be absurd to say that a child can consent to such treatment, when adults are often refused sterilisation on the grounds that they might change their minds.

Yep.

And then the activists and politicians started to stick their oar in.

I think this is a good start. There will be grey though, in particular where children have disorders of sexual development and might benefit from medical intervention (I know that this itself is a sensitive area to navigate). The difficulty will be that TRAs will seek to exploit any exemption that accounts for this very particular group of children.

I think this is excellent, and will hopeful make politicians and activists actually consider what is meant by conversion therapy before they enact a piece of terrible law.

Who could morally object to this, it is just common sense.

and treatment performed on anyone who has not had the full implications of the treatment explained to them.

Needs something about capacity and understanding. I can explain metaphysics to my dog but he doesn't understand it.

Some people on X are going mad about this 🙄 Those precautions seem sensible. Surely that’s what psychiatrists do/used to do anyway?

Excellent!

All looks clear and sensible.