My Lords, we know that the 18 to 25 year-olds have many of the same complex problems as the under-18s and, as the Minister has said, they need similar holistic wraparound care, although that is not necessarily yet in place. However, Dr Levy’s review had a narrower remit than mine, focused on quality improvement rather than the model of care, so as a next step would the Minister agree to ask departmental and NHSE colleagues to convene a group, which should include independent experts, representatives of professional groups and representatives of the new children’s and young people’s services as well as service users, to consider how we best understand and, importantly, improve clinical outcomes for this group of young adults?
I used to have issues with my own gender, I know people who did. My issues were ironed out. Some of my friends had their issues ironed out, and I know a few people who admitted in the past they briefly identified as transgender. Again, I also know people who still identify as transgender and I actually fully believe them when they talk about their dysphoria and bow it affects them. I can see why in this case, a sex change operation would be necessary. The latter person did say they’d also be happy if there was a cure for dysphoria to make them be happy with their sex, but there isn’t and they’re not. So I’m not too sure about all of this, as someone who was placed on a bit of an “escalator” by friends and people online when I was younger.
For what it’s worth, I do think it’s worth asking children why they want to be the opposite sex. For me it was a matter of shame. I know that some others felt similarly, that we didn’t fit society’s stereotypes. I believe this can be addressed by showing people how men/women don’t have to be conforming to xyz. At the same time, I believe genuine gender dysphoria exists and such a thing won’t work with people who have it. Which we have no known cure for. I’m basically mainly shaped by my own experience growing up in this society.
If puberty blockers truly don’t cause irreversible changes, then I don’t have an issue with teenagers being administered them if they are determined to have gender dysphoria. Some people say they do, some people say they don’t. I’m not qualified to speak on the scientific aspects, just my own ethical and moral aspects of it.
This should be shouted from the rooftops. Admittedly I know nothing on the subject, but giving kids the option to change gender at a young age seems like a slippery slope, as do puberty blockers.
I don’t agree with pushing it to 25, but 18 seems correct to me.
And we need to push therapy so much more.
I’m starting to get cussed at a lot in this post and labelled a “transphobe” because apparently I disagree with giving kids life altering hormones.
I feel like people are watering down the “transphobe” label, which actually could negatively impact trans people.
As you said puberty blockers are a slippery slope, I would disagree with you if they aren’t life altering. Some say that when you stop them, puberty just sets in as normal, so if that’s the case, I don’t see an issue. I don’t know if you have a different point though or disagree. The NHS seems to disagree but others are claiming that it’s been infiltrated by political activists.