trans question on Any questions on Radio 4 just now

[biscuitmillionaire]

Who wants to send a reply to Any Answers?

The only person to even slightly query the current orthodoxy was Julia Hartley Brewer.

I could weep. It's so bloody sad that this isn't being debated.

Yes *sticklebrix' but now's a good opportunity to get our voice heard, as it's currently in the news and so starting to be debated.

You're right

Off to investigate how Any Answers works...

WTF was that about? JHB sounded as if she was very aware of the potential backlash. I was willing her to take heart and have courage.

"But you are a bit transphobic, Amy" was said to me and agreed upon by chums tonight

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/89e2bd02-73bd-11e7-83f1-667fddf1d78f

Very good article that ties most of my concerns together

I can't believe I'm in a position where J Hart-B is an ally to my cause.

Is anyone else despairing, like every hour of every day? Had a heart to heart with my mum about it this morning.

She had no idea the extent of all the trans activism, situation in Canada, etc. She's full on board with me with makes me feel so much better.

I had a similar conversation with my mum on Wednesday MineKraft, the first time I've talked to her on this issue - I was very pleased she agreed with me and thinks it's all ridiculous!

My mum gets it now. She thought it was an irrelevance but now she sees that it isn't.

Similar to my mum. It's the recent developments with talk of anyone being able to "identify" as whatever they want and be treated as such, allowed into women's spaces if they decide they're a woman, which have got her back up.

I have mulled this over since last night. Because the question is framed in terms of whether gender dysphoria is a mental health condition, which, according to the NHS, it isn't, it is a bit of an open - shut case? Official guidelines say 'No'. I think it is peculiar that both anorexia and body dysmorphia are both classified as mental health issues though. I think one issue that needs to be addressed is the kind of support that can be accessed by people experiencing issues with gender identity. If gender dysphoria IS a mental health condition, the implication is of course that it is something one can be 'cured' of, which echoes the various 'therapies' used to 'cure' gay people until fairly recently. If it is NOT, then the conclusion is of course that no treatment of the dysphoria itself is needed, but rather support with dealing with society's projections, and steps toward 'rectifying' the error of nature, i.e transitioning as safely as possible.
However, you only need to bear witness to the many young men and women currently de-transitioning and sharing their stories to see that there is a need for alternatives in supporting young people with gender identity issues, such as gender critical therapy.

Did the Beeb allow any dissenting voices onto Any Answers? I can't bear to listen.

They didn't. Rushed through around two responses to gay marriage and that was that.

I know! I had to wipe my DD's bum so was out of earshot of the radio for a few minutes, and then thought I'd missed it, but DP said that there had been nothing. Really?