re: A transgender 9-year-old tells her story

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What makes people who are attracted to children (but don't act on it) mentally ill, while men who want to have surgery to change their parts not mentally ill?

I'm being serious. I assume it has to be based in abnormality to normal human behavior to some extent, right?

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I'm not qualified to answer this question in any enlightening way, but I've read some interesting things about it before. I'm sure you can find opinions from various perspectives if you Google it.

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It's probably self-defeating. You can hold up that all of these conditions occur at a similar rate to transgenderism and yet, our comparison will probably become a justification for why it won't be classified as illness/disorder. "It would be inappropriate to socially stigmatize transgendered individuals by classifying their experience as a disorder."

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I read this article a few months ago. It was really fascinating. It attempted to explain why gender identity crisis happens. Supposedly, during gestation, testosterone is released in the first and third trimester. If there is a surge in testosterone during the first trimester, you get a boy, which is when the penis forms. Then, in the third trimester, when the majority of brain development occurs, there is supposed to be a second surge of testosterone. Well, in very limited cases, that surge never happens. They think it's possible that's why we have transgendered persons.

Look, nature isn't perfect. shite just goes wrong sometimes. People are born with bad limbs, poor eyesight, spine curvatures, blood disorders, etc. Just because it's medically abnormal doesn't mean we hate you and you're going to Hell.

IF transgenderism is a disorder, then why not try and treat it? And, it's entirely possible that there is no treatment.

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Look, nature isn't perfect. shite just goes wrong sometimes. People are born with bad limbs, poor eyesight, spine curvatures, blood disorders, etc. Just because it's medically abnormal doesn't mean we hate you and you're going to Hell.

IF transgenderism is a disorder, then why not try and treat it? And, it's entirely possible that there is no treatment.

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Exactly, and I'll even acknowledge that concerns about stigma are legit. But that isn't an excuse, for me, as to why we would just go "Oh well, sure it only impacts like .2% of the population and suicide rates are astronomical, but it's 2016, let's just do it their way and cut off the penis instead."

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I read this article a few months ago. It was really fascinating. It attempted to explain why gender identity crisis happens. Supposedly, during gestation, testosterone is released in the first and third trimester. If there is a surge in testosterone during the first trimester, you get a boy, which is when the penis forms. Then, in the third trimester, when the majority of brain development occurs, there is supposed to be a second surge of testosterone. Well, in very limited cases, that surge never happens. They think it's possible that's why we have transgendered persons.

Look, nature isn't perfect. shite just goes wrong sometimes. People are born with bad limbs, poor eyesight, spine curvatures, blood disorders, etc. Just because it's medically abnormal doesn't mean we hate you and you're going to Hell.

IF transgenderism is a disorder, then why not try and treat it? And, it's entirely possible that there is no treatment.

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Exactly. What you described in the first paragraph would suggest that transgenderism is rooted in gestational biology, and is completely out of the control of the person who is transgender. If a person's brain ends up developing more like that of the opposite sex, then what therapy can possibly change that?

I think this is why the consensus modern approach to treating transgender people is focused on reducing gender dysphoria and helping them find ways to express their self-identified genders in ways that let them live happy and productive lives. That should be the focus for any kind of mental health therapy... helping a person be happy and productive.

I don't see why I should care that Bill calls himself Brianna and lives as a woman, as long as she is law-abiding and contributes something positive to society. That's a simplified version of what I expect of my fellow citizens.

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I don't see why I should care that Bill calls himself Brianna and lives as a woman, as long as she is law-abiding and contributes something positive to society. That's a simplified version of what I expect of my fellow citizens.

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I can't disagree. But in your example you refer to Bill as simply "calling himself Brianna," which makes you an antiquated hate mongering bigot who deserves to be imprisoned.

Sorry if I am duplicating comments but I don't have time (right now) to read all 8 pages.

However, many of you are missing the point of why this is all so terrible.

If you agree that a 9 year old has the executive functioning to make long term decisions about his or her sexuality then we are on a slippery slope.

If a 9 year old can decide his gender.....

A 9 year old can consent to sexual activity with an adult. A pedophile can easily argue in court that it should not be criminal.

A 9 year old can make medical decisions against their parents wishes. They can weigh risks and benefits and make a logical decision.

This is dangerous to move up the age of ANY consent.

Oh shite. Here comes ballcaster.

Why all the downvotes

I wasn't saying it like you guys are crazy.. i just hear everybody throw out that term and then not have any explanation behind it.

Yes, the 9 year old is fricked up in the head and yes he needs to be treated.

I don't get why we can't have common sense in Democracy.

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I just know how to read a room

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You do recognize that not just one side of this debate has some batshit crazy advocates, yeah?

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Link to where the 9 year old unilaterally made decisions about her gender, absent input from her parents and her medical team?

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When I got arse implants when I was 10, it was a joint decision.