Parents start writing to gender clinics, schools, colleges, insurers, you name it

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

4thwavenow.com/2018/04/08/letter-to-a-gender-clinic-a-parents-call-to-action/

I hope it has some effect. In the US many parents are effectively paying for their young adult children's gender clinic treatment through the family health insurance cover but obviously there are confidentiality rules in place so the clinicians won't talk to them directly. Many of these young people are also getting treatment through their university. It's different over there from what happens on the NHS here. Often a 18yo girl goes in and gets a prescription for testosterone at the second or even first appointment. Some of these young women have a history of mental health problems. The parents are trying to point this out and getting nowhere.

I suspect it won't be long now before detransitioning numbers start to escalate and that's when the lawsuits will start.

I am assuming the confidentialty only applies to ‘children’ who are 18+ - in other words, adults. No doubt it arises because in the US young adults (up to 26 yo IIRC) can stay on their parents’ health insurance policy. Confidentiality certainly applies for 18+ yr olds in the UK, where you would not be informed of treatment your adult child is receiving (or not, in non-compliance situations!).

It must be devastating to witness a child that you know is troubled and has co-morbid conditions being pushed down a gender affirming treatment pathway without adequate consideration of those factors, but I think there would be huge unintended consequences if the confidentiality principle is overturned - eg religiously conservative parents blocking their adult daughter’s access to contraception or a termination. The pill costs >£50pm in the US and a coil fitting can be in the region of £500, and that’s just basic contraceptive provision. As saddening as these cases are, its the thin end of the wedge in undermining these adult children’s bodily autonomy. I would not participate in a letter-writing campaign on this.

Agree about the looming wave of lawsuits though. It will happen.

Confidentiality certainly applies for 18+ yr olds in the UK, where you would not be informed of treatment your adult child is receiving (or not, in non-compliance situations!)

Confidentiality applies at 16 in the UK and depending on circumstances can apply at under 15.

I stand corrected, Lass - thank you. I note the first sample letter on that link refers to a 20 yo daughter, so well beyond the teen cut-off.

I can't believe all these young women are opting for sex hormones, mastectomies, hysterectomies and infertility. I just can't believe it - they are so young. There will be a backlash.

A very young woman just deciding she never wants children would never be given these treatments. It's not ethical.

Sorry meant can apply at under 16.

I would not participate in or support a letter-writing campaign on this.