Jun 22·edited Jun 22Liked by Laura Becker | Funk⭐God
Thank you so much for this piece, which exudes so much truth, especially shared with your vitally important voice. I want to also acknowledge all the pain that you have undergone, both as a young person and as an adult struggling with your identity. I am so sorry that you were closeted, and glad that you got the care you needed. You exemplify exactly the situation for which this care is vital.
AND clearly you understand - more intimately than most - the complexities surrounding this issue. Automatic affirmation and medicalization, especially for adolescents and young adults who are exploring identity by definition, and so many of whom have complex mental health issues exacerbated by the isolation of the pandemic, seems insane. Exploration should not be a dirty word.
This cohort have indeed become political footballs. I am frightened for my own kid who is hurting so much and looking for a panacea. If I thought the identity, which cropped up overnight during isolation after a deep dive on the internet and following some serious bullying sadly paired with sexual assault, was authentic I would support it. As it stands, I believe it's a coping mechanism, and am trying to help my child kick the can down the road when it comes to medicalizing. Unfortunately, even this stance is considered transphobic, and I am up against medical and academic institutions. My kid heads off to college in the fall - who knows what will happen. With the "informed consent" model in place, actually I do know. I grieve, and will be there for my beautiful kid no matter what.
It is writing like yours, though, Jane, that is like a life raft - making me feel I am not crazy or alone. Thank you so much once again.
Protect Trans Kids? Protect Kids from Trans Activists!
Thank you for speaking out - voices like yours are so meaningful in this conversation.
Well written. Thank you. Great essay though be read widely.
Thank you for this piece. It’s criminal that articles like this don’t make it to MSM. Until that point, we’ll remain stuck in this nightmare.
Thank you so much for this piece, which exudes so much truth, especially shared with your vitally important voice. I want to also acknowledge all the pain that you have undergone, both as a young person and as an adult struggling with your identity. I am so sorry that you were closeted, and glad that you got the care you needed. You exemplify exactly the situation for which this care is vital.
AND clearly you understand - more intimately than most - the complexities surrounding this issue. Automatic affirmation and medicalization, especially for adolescents and young adults who are exploring identity by definition, and so many of whom have complex mental health issues exacerbated by the isolation of the pandemic, seems insane. Exploration should not be a dirty word.
This cohort have indeed become political footballs. I am frightened for my own kid who is hurting so much and looking for a panacea. If I thought the identity, which cropped up overnight during isolation after a deep dive on the internet and following some serious bullying sadly paired with sexual assault, was authentic I would support it. As it stands, I believe it's a coping mechanism, and am trying to help my child kick the can down the road when it comes to medicalizing. Unfortunately, even this stance is considered transphobic, and I am up against medical and academic institutions. My kid heads off to college in the fall - who knows what will happen. With the "informed consent" model in place, actually I do know. I grieve, and will be there for my beautiful kid no matter what.
It is writing like yours, though, Jane, that is like a life raft - making me feel I am not crazy or alone. Thank you so much once again.
Thanks for sharing this guest essay! I thought it was so well written and very much centered in common sense.