The Guardian: "Too young to decide? Questions dividing real-life Butterfly families"

[TrashyTerf]

www.theguardian.com/society/2018/nov/03/real-life-butterfly-families-transgender-child-tavistock-clinic

Another interestingly editorial stance from the Gruan... Quite a fair article this one.

Oh dear. That's going to be another rap on the knuckles from the US Guardian

The quotes from a couple of the parents re the supposed 'impossibility' of ROGD are so telling: "That's not my experience, therefore it can't possibly be anyone else's experience" rubbish.

Anecdote isn't data, you numpties: that's why we have science.

You see, with these kinds of articles I get the impression that the Guardian is crying out for help. They're desperately trying to point Out the logical inconsistencies, but they don't want to look anti-trans. As a result, their articles are a mess.

"Change in gender can be influenced by non-biological factors"

Hahaha, well as there is no biological testing done on kids before transition (is there?), I'd say it's all non-biological factors. What biological factors influence the change?

recent thread with interview with parent, concludes:
"Anything else you feel is relevant? And what would your advice be to other parents who find themselves in your position?"

Read and watch as much as you can before you have an in-depth chat with your child.
Don’t use what you’ve learned to push your agenda on them. Just listen and try to understand where your child is coming from.
Try not to get in a confrontation with your child: they have come to where they are through their own logic. Their decision makes sense to them and pushing against it could simply make them more entrenched. Instead, work with them to find out how they got to this decision and work slowly with them over time, so they can see that their proposed solution is just one of many potential paths forward.
Reach out to other parents who have gone through this issue.
Go slowly. Delay where possible. As your child matures, their understanding may change.
Don’t be put off by politically-correct pressure. Your child is under your care and is not the property of activists.
Avoid the NHS, transgender clinics, activists at all costs. They will all push you towards the ‘transgender pipeline’.
Find a therapist who will help to find any underlying issues.
Obviously, if there are underlying issues, try to resolve them.
Don’t be afraid to send your child articles and news clippings to discuss (with their permission)."
www.transgendertrend.com/dad-boy-identifies-transgender/

thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3410239-Being-The-Dad-Of-A-Boy-Who-Identifies-As-Transgender-article

Many viewers who watched the finale of ITV’s drama Butterfly last Sunday were left in tears when transgender child Maxine, 12, was finally able to take the hormone blockers necessary for her to begin the transition from natal boy to girl.

Well it isn't possible to change from boy to girl, so immediately there is a major problem with how this is presented from the first paragraph. It's incredibly irresponsible to frame it in this way.

Many viewers who watched the finale of ITV’s drama Butterfly last Sunday were left in tears when transgender child Maxine, 12, was finally able to take the hormone blockers necessary for her to begin the transition from natal boy to girl.

But 20% of those who watched the first episode didn't bother to watch the second or the third one so weren't there to do any crying.

Well it isn't possible to change from boy to girl, so immediately there is a major problem with how this is presented from the first paragraph. It's incredibly irresponsible to frame it in this way.

In the programme, the mother told Max that he would become a girl just like his sister. Truth would have been better.

Are children really being taught that they can change sex? Do they really believe this?

I asked my DD when she was 10 if she thought that people could literally change sex - and get all the usual working parts of the opposite sex, and she said yes but was very unsure.

Children hear about hormones and surgey and stuff and are told that boys can become girls and they take it at face value.Why wouldn't they?

Children hear about hormones and surgey and stuff and are told that boys can become girls and they take it at face value.Why wouldn't they?

Are schools doing anything to combat this? Or would that get them accused of transphobia?

Lisa Muggeridge really on point with this one

The guardian has realised their mistake by conflating sex and gender for years and allowing anyone who questions anything to be called a transphobe.
They know once Mermaids has a ‘Kid company’ shaped scandal (both charities weren’t interested in facts or stats and both like unsubstantiated psychology) they will also be in the firing line too.
They will only back peddle a little bit here.

Susie Green CEO Mermaids Charity

‘Mermaids’ and ‘Butterfly’ make human metamorphosis sound both possible and positive.

Why are organisations like this never called ‘Werewolf’?

“It’s not at all fair that there is a two-tier system – one for trans children with well-off parents, and one for trans children who just have to wait and wait for the one NHS provider to give them the help they need.”

This happens throughout our healthcare system. It annoys me a bit how its made out that its only trans people who have to deal with large waiting lists. Apparently its 'proof' of cisnormaty or some other such rubbish, that trans people have to wait a year to see a specialist. Its disgraceful, etc etc. However I was on a waiting list for nearly 3 years, to see a pain specialist about my condition. Waiting lists are shocking, but its universal. Its always going to be a case of it you can afford to go private you will be seen faster.

Some Mermaids parents and TRAs have been pushing for referral to private gender clinics due the waiting times.

They are citing the NHS protocols which allow for patients to have some medical treatments at private hospitals when wait time is outside a designated period.

THere has also been increasing pressure to implement policies which may provide altenative pathways. The focus seems to be on the waiting time to see GIDs (also highlighted is the travel time & cost)

This was evident in a World at One segment earlier this year with both Dr Polly Carmichael and a very concerned parent (who I think may be involved with Mermaids)

of course some private clinics such as Dr Webberley's GenderGP also have a different approach to GIDS, one which is also praised by the same group

threads:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3229756-Transgender-child-on-R4-World-at-One

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3228409-DM-Article-NHS-sex-change-drugs-are-putting-hundreds-of-children-at-risk-each-year-warns-top-doctor?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3268237-Westminster-Social-Policy-forum-today-Next-steps-for-transgender-Equality-WSPFEvents?pg=2

This is The Observer, different editor from the Graun. Clearly far more onside with the truth.

Looks like the Guardian to me.

Mermaids Charity no. 1160575
Charity Commission

'There's no room for doubt around safeguarding: protecting people is too important'
Posted by: Jane Hobson, Head of Guidance and Practice, Posted on: 25 October 2018 - Categories: Guidance, Safeguarding
People turn to charities for lots of different reasons. Sometimes for advice, a sense of community, support, or, in the case of the many vital refuges or care homes that house vulnerable adults and children, for safety or security.

Charities are a lifeline to many across the country. But that lifeline should never become a cause for distress or harm.

That’s a very reasonable expectation - so there can be no excuses or barriers to keeping people safe. We want to ensure that all charities and trustees know and understand their safeguarding responsibilities in crystal clear terms.

That includes recognising that safeguarding and protecting people from harm goes beyond simply implementing policies and processes. As a fundamental responsibility for trustees, safeguarding and protecting people must go to the heart of a charity’s culture. By building up knowledge across organisations, charities can develop and strengthen organisational cultures that prioritise people’s safety.

That’s why we’ve published updated safeguarding guidance to help charities and trustees better understand their legal duties around protecting people." (continues)

charitycommission.blog.gov.uk/2018/10/25/theres-no-room-for-doubt-around-safeguarding-protecting-people-is-too-important/

About time given the disgraceful events that have happened in the charity sector.

Maybe a few complaints to the Charity Commission about those organisations deliberately flouting Working Together will now be in order.

charles look at the top of the article, it says The Observer.