Cruelty does not strike me as a sustainable political platform.
Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/10/opinion/sunday/transgender-rights-republicans-arkansas.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
They are fighting cruelty at its worse...those who would mistreat our youth.
I prefer the kindle gentler Dems who would support treating people who perceive reality (mental illness) rather than using their mental illness for short term political gain at the expense of the ill. Shame on you.
for something you clearly have zero understanding of.
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So they honor "their" truth, not scientific truth. Some going so far as to say medical diagnosis is actually a mistake and now doctors and medical professionals need to save face. It's remarkable to be so knowledgeable about so many different things - science, politics, economics - and yet cannot make your own way in the world. Must be frustrating.
Giving hormones or needless surgeries to mentally ill (and it is an illness) youth is child abuse. Full stop.
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pretending you know what you’re talking about. On anything, while we’re at it.
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As regards 'causation', here is an article worth noting...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7415463/
Link: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gender-dysphoria/symptoms-causes/syc-20475255
It was described and defined as mental illness for generations.
There's a dishonesty about their definitions today when looking back - usually in the "save face" category.
Don't entertain the mental illness and encourage it. Treat it if necessary.
Do you agree with this basic principle?
"Plain Language Summary...
Gender identity is an important issue in society, yet its causative mechanism is poorly understood. The main anatomical differences between males and females are the genitalia and the brain. This paper reviewed the literature to explore the link between genetic influences and brain development, and their impact on gender identity. Investigating these developmental mechanisms could lead to advances in the understanding of gender dysphoria, a condition whereby an individual’s gender and biological sex are mismatched. Exploring the biochemical development of the genitalia highlights the differences between males and females, notably how testosterone elicits the pathways of male development in an embryo. When research has been conducted in people with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, a condition where the testosterone receptor is mutated and faulty, and thus cannot function, gender dysphoria is observed as the body is genetically male but anatomically female. It is known that the structure of male and female brains differs; it is found that people with gender dysphoria have a brain structure more comparable to the gender to which they identify. The review of the literature suggests that there is a disparity between the brains of those who identify differently to their assigned gender at birth, highlighting a multifactorial underpinning of the gender identity. Further research is required to shed light on the molecular mechanism of this, allowing for greater education and understanding of this scientific and social phenomenon."
What is your response to this?
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"causative" for Gender Dysphoria...if this is what you consider 'mental illness' we have more to talk about. The use of the term "brain structure" speaks to a biological difference which is not the purview of a Psychiatrist, but rather a Neurologist and/or Endocrinologist. Let's discuss this further.
Or, do you think brain anomalies should be celebrated, and people should be prevented from treating them.
I think whatever causes a person to mis-perceive physical reality should be treated. The Left does not; the left sees an opportunity to divide and exploit for political gain. where do you stand?
involve hormones or surgery...things that the Arkansas legislature is refusing.
How you can inject the word "Celebrated" into this discussion is baffling...I hesitate to even ask for an explanation.
As for the "Left"..."Left"..."Left" litany, give it a rest...this is a medical matter.
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I absolutely agree and therefore cannot get behind allowing children to alter themselves based on feeling "uncomfortable". It used to be called adolescence.
This is part of that section...
Medical treatment
Medical treatment of gender dysphoria might include:
Hormone therapy, such as feminizing hormone therapy or masculinizing hormone therapy
Surgery, such as feminizing surgery or masculinizing surgery to change the breasts or chest, external genitalia, internal genitalia, facial features, and body contouring
Some people use hormone therapy to seek maximum feminization or masculinization. Others might find relief from gender dysphoria by using hormones to minimize secondary sex characteristics, such as breasts and facial hair. Treatments are based on your goals, as well as an evaluation of the risks and benefits of medication use, the presence of any other conditions, and consideration of your social and economic issues. Many people also find that surgery is necessary to relieve their gender dysphoria.
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health provides the following criteria for hormonal and/or surgical treatment of gender dysphoria:
Persistent, well-documented gender dysphoria.
Capacity to make a fully informed decision and consent to treatment.
Age of majority in a given country or, if younger, follow the standard of care for children and adolescents.
If significant medical or mental concerns are present, they must be reasonably well controlled.
In addition, the other link I embedded spoke to the potential for genetic mutations to be 'causative' for "Gender Dysphoria"...be sure to read that as well. Again, there are many unknowns, so folks shouldn't dig their heels in and rely on what they "like" or "don't like".
But I just cannot get on board hormone therapy for kids under 18 because for a brief moment in time the feel uncomfortable in their bodies. I agree it's a complex issue but I think there are any number of reasons for a young person to feel uncomfortable without drastic medical treatment that will fundamentally alter their bodies. It's a mental health issue first and should be treated as such. Hormone therapy or surgery altering ones plumbing should be done last after all other options exhausted. I'd be curious to see what the numbers are for transgender people and addiction and/ or suicide.
process that I trust starts with psychological evaluation/testing before moving on to more 'invasive' treatment (if adjudged necessary). It would be great if life were simple and binary...the more I learn, it gets "curiouser and curiouser" and we need to expand our capabilities of understanding, patience and caring.
For me, when I witness what appears to be negative bias toward 'non-traditional' individuals, I always flash on the example of Alan Turing, whom I'm sure you know about...in the early/mid 20th century it was actually a crime in Britain to be judged "homosexual" and it drove him to suicide at age 41...that is, after he broke the German 'Enigma' code, shortening WWII, and saving countless millions of lives as well as the freedoms we enjoy today...never mind his impact on the field of Computing.
At Mass we utter the phrase "...in the Hope of Rising again"...this is a hope we share, but not a promise, so I do my level best not to make this unique and blessed gift the best it can be for ALL of those I come in contact with and hoping they'll do the same for others.
Know her father and brother — stable, bright, loving family.
Listened to Sarah speak earlier this year. Knew very little about her journey, but was inspired by her courage and grace.
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Tomorrow-Will-Be-Different-Equality/dp/1524761478
All we want is civil unions for insurance purposes. All we want is to get legally married for legal purposes. All we want is for grown ass adult men to wear pretty dresses and halter tops to be able to use the women's bathrooms. All we want is for males to be able to compete and crush the ladies in women's athletics. All we want is for all people to agree that there are more than two genders. All we want is for children to decide what sex they want to be and have the medical procedures made available to them. All we want is for everyone to not only accept all this, but to damn well like it.
Is it not more cruel to allow children who are simply incapable of making these types of decisions to subject themselves to life altering treatments that will likely result further problems down the road.This to me is a mental health issue. These children need to be treated accordingly. I guess you'll probably think I'm being cruel. But I am witnessing this first hand. My wife's good friend has a daughter that is transitioning. The poor girls parents have divorced. the father is an abusive addict. Mom a public school teacher who teaches LBGQT issues in the Beaverton school distract. This is a damaged girl desperately seeking love and approval from her parents. What she needs is counseling and guidance not drugs that block her from getting her period. It's a terribly sad situation for everyone.
Sent from phone. Forgive typos.
A “one size fits all” codification made by politically charged folks (many who reject science generally) seems like the worst possible approach.
No doubt there are parents who may be too dysfunctional themselves and/or trigger happy in addressing their kids’ needs or struggles re gender identity. But, this is where the medical profession is best suited to provide guidance and counsel and caution.
For the kids it's lose lose. I don't want to dismiss whatever these kids are experiencing. And one size fits all doesn't sound appealing either. But we legislate kids from doing all sorts of things.
I think support of these kids through mental health services until aged 18. At such time if they still feel compelled to act on the impulse. Then so be it. But a 12-16 year old kid just isn't capable of making this decision in spite of how supportive their folks may
And although mental health professionals should be an integral part of the process, it does not mean that the kid has a mental illness.
Nature is complex. Good parents listen. Good doctors offer guidance and solutions.
The point of the piece is that political shaming (per legislation) has no place in the equation.
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I think I'm a good parent. At least I try really hard to be anyway. I try to listen and offer guidance. If my son says dad I want to take up smoking I would explain the long term health ramifications of such a decision.
And calling legislation political shaming is a bit disingenuous. It's like calling everything racist, it's designed to end the debate. I certainly don't wish to shame or harm anyone let alone a child. But we protect kids. Or at least we should.
Anyway. Don't want to risk the ire of the mods or the dreaded locked thread, so after your response we can let it go! Have a good rest of your weekend Connor. Congrats to Chels. Top 4 is going to be tough now for my aimless lot of headless chickens!