THE FORUM
Intense pressure
Julie Szego’s excellent article on the latest legal case against a practitioner of gender-affirming care (“‘Devastated’ woman’s legal action over gender transition”, 24/8) quotes Dr Cass’s observation of the UK gender services, that doctors felt “pressured to adopt an unquestioning approach” in dealing with patients who believed themselves to be transgender.
That pressure is even more intense in Victoria, where legislation labels any attempt to help young people accept the sex they were “assigned at birth” (ie, their actual biological sex) as a suppression or conversion practice.
In 2010, the year Jay Langadinos was referred for treatment, only seven children were referred to paediatric gender services in Victoria. Last year, it was over 800. How many lawsuits should we be expecting by 2030?
Emma Baillie, Alphington
Discussion suppressed
Reasonable debate on trans issues have been prevented for too long. It is not transphobic to question the overly rapid affirmation of a very young person’s life-altering decisions. De-transitioners are attacked for speaking up, adding to their trauma. This stifles a clear perspective on what is really happening.
Chris Sitka, Northcote
Too many agendas
Like with many other mental health-related issues, the real problem surrounding gender transitioning that is later regretted is not a lack of funding, lack of services or overcrowded hospitals. At the core are the problematic attitudes and beliefs of…
