There are simply no words offensive enough to describe the absolute filth who support mutilating little kids. They are closet pedophiles, wishing they had an opportunity.
I disagree. I don’t think this is sexual at all. I think it is some sort of idealism or warped sense of compassion. The child is confused, their gender is fluid and the child may seem distressed or saddened not understanding their own body. Perhaps the thought of an oncoming puberty and the changes it will bring seem terrifying.
A parent who loves a child like this will want to help. I get that.
But it is misguided and harmful to assume their child needs anything more than therapy and reassurance. Let them know this is not a lifelong thing, that when they become adults they can make the changes they need to live a genuine life. If they still choose to do so. Let them know what they will be missing out on as well. They will never have normal sexual function, they will never have a child. Let them make that choice as an adult.
But starting hormone therapy early so that the boy will be a more attractive woman is just warped. That is not why these therapies are important or needed. This is an adult decision that can only be made by that adult. The parents cannot make this decision for the child, it is irreversible and carries lifelong significant impacts to their health.
None of this is sexual, you can do terrible things out of love.
That is a very well thought out, rational opinion and I’m sure many parents would agree with you, were you their health care provider and you explained your rationale.
I am reflexively against a bureaucrat mandating health care decisions. While I understand your position, I can still imagine cases where it is warranted. Intersex children for example.
Totally agree with intersex therapies. Not what we are talking about here at all. You pay attention to the intersex child and get gender confirming therapies which let the child live their lives in the most genuine way possible. For the most part, intersex children are already going to be incapable of reproduction.
It is another thing to produce an intersex child out of a child who will otherwise have normal reproductive functions if left alone.
No one should sterilize a child out of compassion and rationalize it. If a young ADULT chooses it, so be it. This isn’t about government intervention, this is about ethical medicine. Do no harm. Informed consent. That isn’t possible with a 10 year old and no one other than the patient can decide something so consequential.
It is not ethical. This is bad medicine. If the Federal Government says “If you perform unethical procedures on children we are not going to use your hospital for anything” that is also not unreasonable. Blue Cross mandated a pilot program in the State of Michigan a few years back, stating if you treat blockages in coronary arteries and do not use advanced imaging to ensure appropriate endpoints at least 40% of the time, we will withhold funding.
Michigan was at 10% usage at the time. My hospital was at 95% because I run that department and I made damn sure every case was imaged. In one year the statewide use went to 60% and our outcomes are now the envy of the nation.
Do you think that Blue Cross is going to stop at Michigan? Or is this going nationwide?
CMS can absolutely do the same thing regarding pre-pubertal transitioning, withhold all funding for all procedures if the hospital violates their standards. This is how we reduce waste, fraud and malpractice. CMS has the biggest pocketbook, they can absolutely use that power to mandate appropriate care for patients. You cannot rely on hospitals or MDs to always do the right thing, most of us care and will do it but there are bad or greedy folks out there who will not.
Not to mention it’s a charged political and social issue.
Thanks for the thoughtful posts based on your experience.
I’m supportive of LGBTQ issues, but I do agree decisions like these are adult decisions and kids should seek therapy without medical intervention unless absolutely necessary, and the bar for that should be high and as objective as possible.
But hearing from people in the medical profession share their expertise really helps inform and even change my opinions when needed.
I think he’s wrong about saturated fats. But otherwise, he sounds like Michelle Obama! Lots of good points, especially carbs and processed foods and of course most of all soda.
I wonder if he’ll be able to get some money flowing to schools so they can retool meals. Gonna be much more expensive. But so, so worth it.
Interesting enough, I cath coronary arteries for a living and the drunks have absolutely beautiful pipes. The heart muscle is dead from alcohol’s toxicity to it but the pipes are a thing of beauty. If you imbibe a bit and not let it get out of hand, there is ample proof that it does limit progression of atherosclerosis. Which is the number 1 killer of mankind.
Granted, too much of anything can kill you, but alcohol is not an outright poison like Tobacco is.
It is most definitely linked to negative outcomes. So is cow milk. White flour. White sugar etc.
The issue is always how much
That whole - any amount of alcohol is bad for you was a ridiculous way to approach it
All it did was create an entire generation of people who think alcohol is bad for you as they suck on a vape filled with nicotine, chemicals and additives
