FTC Workshop on the deception of gender affirming care

[Brainworm]

Over in the USA, the Federal Trade Congress is holding a workshop exploring whether paediatric gender affirming care is miss-sold / sold via deception. As I understand it, the line up comprises of gender critical medics, detransitioners and families negatively impact.

It doesn’t appear to be a balanced event, exploring different perspectives and does appear to be politically motivated / Trumpian. I view this as a shame because I think the issue warrants proper exploration of all perspectives.

Back in the day, in the UK, access to physical treatment for what is now considered physically ‘transitioning’ (only available to adults) was dependent on a psych evaluation confirming that the patient understood they were their natal sex and that treatment didn’t change this. Failure to recognise this was seen as indicative of the need for a different type of treatment.

I don’t think many ‘transitioners’ seeking treatment actually have a delusional disorder. I think most know they are the sex they are and this isn’t open to change (they tend to remain preoccupied and hyper vigilant and about ‘passing’). I think the miss-selling element is the failure of ‘treatment providers’ to disclose this.

In the UK, the issue presents itself in terms of informed consent more than an issue than miss-selling. I think informed consent to treatment requires clarity in communicating that the treatment will not result in the law, other people or yourself believing you have become a different sex. It will change your appearance and/or your body’s endocrine balance. I think failure to point this out is miss-selling/ deceptive.

The workshop (9th July) will be streamed. It’ll be interesting to see the nature of the arguments presented

I don't believe that it is possible for anyone (let alone under 25, let alone child) to give informed consent to have body part of the significance of limbs, breasts, genitals or organs removed or significantly altered, except for in severe cases of medical need (eg infected leg could cause death, large breasts are causing significant back issues, or women with multiple kids in their 30s, or risk of death if they get pregnant, choosing to be sterilized).

To be honest I do not blame a single man for not wanting to get a vasectomy, and I do not blame a woman who regards hormonal contraception as a step too far (because they do not want to mess with their hormones unless medically necessary).

I do not for one second believe that all human beings have the capacity to be honest with themselves, let alone others, when it comes to considering the harms they have done to themselves. I think that someone like Ritchie Herron shows a strength that very very few can manage. I honestly believe that is because the brain subconsciously knows that if it entertains thoughts of regret the end result can only be mental collapse or even suicide, so most people's brains just don't let them go there.

I genuinely would not be surprised if the honest truth is that 95% or 99% of post-op trans would have fallen into 100% despair and regret either the day of the surgery, or sometime in the first year post, were their brains to let them... but deep in their subconsious is a force that refuses to let them, because the consequences would be even worse than the surgery.

Jamie I think that’s a really insightful post. I have had exactly this thought about parents (they cannot allow themselves to believe they have allowed/supported such harm to their children). For some reason - maybe because of Ritchie Herron and Kiera Bell - I hadn’t extended this to the individuals themselves. Obviously, we should recognise this.

I think it might be insightful... part of me hopes it's not, for their sake... part of me hopes its true because if it is then the whole TQ+ movement is more likely to collapse entirely, and I honestly believe it would be better for EVERYONE if no-one pretended to be the opposite sex or none. I am speculating though... extrapolating from other things... I might be wrong. Then again the people who admit they might be wrong seem to be the people who have done their best to come to a rational, evidence-based position, whereas people whose position is faith based are often much less willing to accept they might have erred.

I have a relative who wanted to be a kidney donor as a 21 year old student (altruistic donation to a stranger, not to a close family member)
They went through all the screening and appointments with consultants.
The donation team wouldn’t accept them at that point and said to come back in 2 years if still interested.
My relative is now late 20s and has never gone back