Children: The Latest Victims of Transgenderism

 

I’ve written previously about the adult transgender population. I planned not to tackle the topic again, since I find it absurd and disturbing. Recently however, I realized that we have a disaster brewing, as children are being recruited as the next population to fulfill the Progressive agenda at a terrible cost.

The overall goal for all of these groups is supposedly to identify children who are confused about their sexuality; a term that is used is gender dysphoria. It’s important to point out this type of thinking in children is not unusual:

Even the American Psychological Association’s Handbook of Sexuality and Psychology admits that prior to the widespread promotion of transition affirmation, 75 to 95 percent of pre-pubertal children who were distressed by their biological sex eventually outgrew that distress. The vast majority came to accept their biological sex by late adolescence after passing naturally through puberty.

It’s pointed out in the same article that the Gender Identity Development Service in the United Kingdom has had a 2,000 percent increase in referrals since 2009.

The “transition affirmation” movement intends to convince America that transgenderism is acceptable:

This is what transgenderism and “biological subjectivism” has come to in America today… a politically correct demand that everyone agree to participate in the mental distortions of a few individuals who suffer from a psychological disconnect from their biological realities. Such ideologies stand in complete contradiction to the known science on biology and physical reality, and sadly, this mental distortion is now being thrust onto children as part of a sick, demented political agenda to appease the most lunatic fringe elements of the political spectrum.

How bad is this propaganda campaign? I’ve identified at least three primary groups that have adopted this crusade. The first group is made up of the schools, social workers and other government workers. As an example, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has established new standards:

According to the standards, all children have a “right to self-determination of gender and sexual orientation” and to choose their “sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression,” which should be viewed as “developmental milestones, not problematic behavior.”

The ACLU worked with the DCFS to develop the standards, and “Non-compliant adults face either ‘discipline’ or ‘discharge.’”

Recently Maryland schools went beyond bathroom equality and now have a comprehensive policy. The new plan allows students to choose their gender identity. I expect to see these kinds of policies expanded to school districts all over the country.

The second group I identified was the medical community which is promoting distorted and destructive approaches to children who may have gender confusion. Johanna Olson, MD, medical director of the Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, explains their agenda in working with children:

We don’t know what causes someone to be transgender, but what we’re learning as we’re putting the pieces together is that there are likely many factors. Genetics, hormones or other elements likely play a role. The information that is being discovered now is indicating that the neural wiring in a transgender person’s brain looks more similar to their gender of identity rather than their gender of assignment at birth. What this means is that gender identity is most likely developing in the womb. Much more needs to be explored in order to understand gender identity information. [bold added by me]

Michelle A. Cretella, MD, President of the American College of Pediatricians, disagrees with this brain science data:

 . . . if and when valid transgender brain differences are identified, these will be more likely the result of transgender behavior than its cause. Furthermore, infants’ brains are imprinted prenatally by their own endogenous sex hormones, which are secreted from their gonads beginning at approximately eight weeks’ gestation. To be clear, this ‘alternate perspective’ of an ‘innate gender fluidity’ arising from prenatally ‘feminized’ or ‘masculinized’ brains trapped in the wrong body is an ideological belief that has no basis in rigorous science.

Dr. Olson also relies on children to identify their sexual preferences:

Younger children tell us who they are by what they like. It is important for parents to take these conversations seriously. Having the conversation is not going to harm anyone; on the other hand, not having the conversation can be very harmful.

She goes on to say:

Many kids who are not transgender engage in cross-sex behavior. Clinical experience and published research has helped us determine that those who are more persistent with their trans-identity in childhood are more likely to be transgender adolescents and adults. Many times they will assert their gender by saying, “I am a boy” or “I am a girl.” They will also often experience distress about the dissonance between their assigned sex at birth and their experienced gender. As they get older and start to get more cultural messages that their behavior is not normal or acceptable, this may increase the level of stress that they feel.

As you can see, their measurement criteria are subjective, not scientific.

Much of the controversy about children and transgenderism is about the use of blockers and hormone treatments. Dr. Olson addresses this treatment, but neglects to mention the problems associated with it. Dr. Cretella makes the following point, however:

Puberty blockers have been studied and found safe for the treatment of a medical disorder in children called precocious puberty (caused by the abnormal and unhealthy early secretion of a child’s pubertal hormones). However, as a groundbreaking paper in the New Atlantis  points out, we cannot infer from these studies whether or not these blockers are safe in physiologically normal children with gender dysphoria.

The authors note that there is some evidence for decreased bone mineralization, meaning an increased risk of bone fractures as young adults, potential increased risk of obesity and testicular cancer in boys, and an unknown impact upon psychological and cognitive development.

Dr. Olson, however, reassures parents with the following information:

We work with mental health providers who engage in individual and group therapy with transgender youth, as well as a network of mental health providers in the community who we believe are outstanding resources for these young people. We also have case management here. Young people often need assistance with paperwork with legal-name changes, gender changes, etc.

Do you find Dr. Olson’s comment helpful, given the lack of data to support her claims?

The third group that fulfills the agenda of the Progressivists is made up of the people we might be least likely to suspect: the parents. It’s difficult to pinpoint the reasons parents are indoctrinating their children: political correctness; a desire to end the discomfort of confused children; the parents’ own psychological issues. But Mike Adams wants us to know the facts:

And so we now live in a nation where child-abusing parents who need to be locked away in mental institutions are turning their children into gender-confused basket cases who may also end up needing psychiatric intervention. This is how the cycle perpetuates, and the political powers in Washington are encouraging this cycle of mental illness, child mutilation and horrible suffering among children who are now being shoved toward transgenderism because it appeases the perverse political appetites of mentally ill adults.

So we are once again witnessing the Progressive agenda determined to destroy the lives of vulnerable children and their families. There appears to be no limit to the harm they are willing to inflict on others.

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  1. James Gawron Inactive
    James Gawron
    @JamesGawron

    Susan,

    We are in the midst of a mass psychosis. From same-sex marriage to transgenderism to gender reassignment in children, a very large number of Americans are wrapped up in a complete fantasy. All of this should be classified as sexual schizophrenia. There is no such proof of any actual physical differences and thus the obvious conclusion is a mental illness.

    When the bubble bursts, as it inevitably will, expect a storm of lawsuits. The mutilation of children is an incredibly egregious sin.

    Regards,

    Jim

    • #1
  2. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    James Gawron (View Comment):
    . All of this should be classified as sexual schizophrenia.

    I agree, Jim. It’s frightening and outrageous! How did we get to this place??

    • #2
  3. Old Bathos Member
    Old Bathos
    @OldBathos

    This devil-clad drag queen is reading to kids at the Long Beach CA public library branch named for Michelle Obama to celebrate LGBTQ History Month.  Kinda sums it up.

    The goal is to reduce “normal” to a mere questionable choice.

     

    • #3
  4. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Old Bathos (View Comment):
    This devil-clad drag queen is reading to kids at the Long Beach CA public library branch named for Michelle Obama to celebrate LGBTQ History Month. Kinda sums it up.

    The goal is to reduce “normal” to a mere questionable choice.

    I remember seeing this photo, OB. It makes me ill. I wear my “normality” with gratitude and humility, and I will not defend it against anyone or anything. These poor kids. What awful indoctrination.

    • #4
  5. Merrijane Inactive
    Merrijane
    @Merrijane

    This is so distressing. I have a wonderful niece who is very uncomfortable with her physical appearance as compared to her older sister. Her sister is tall and thin and conventionally pretty. My niece is … not. She’s brassy and energetic rather than demure or soft-spoken. But neither is she masculine, in either appearance or behavior. Yet she’s decided that, because she’s not beautiful and sweet and popular like her sister, she must really be meant to be a boy. It’s been a rough road for her parents to deal with … the idea of your child undergoing incredibly physically damaging “therapies” that often cannot be reversed must be terrifying. They will not be allowing her to do that while she’s living with them, but it’s not many more years until she could do it herself.

    • #5
  6. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Merrijane (View Comment):
    This is so distressing. I have a wonderful niece who is very uncomfortable with her physical appearance as compared to her older sister. Her sister is tall and thin and conventionally pretty. My niece is … not. She’s brassy and energetic rather than demure or soft-spoken. But neither is she masculine, in either appearance or behavior. Yet she’s decided that, because she’s not beautiful and sweet and popular like her sister, she must really be meant to be a boy. It’s been a rough road for her parents to deal with … the idea of your child undergoing incredibly physically damaging “therapies” that often cannot be reversed must be terrifying. They will not be allowing her to do that while she’s living with them, but it’s not many more years until she could do it herself.

    Oh, Merrijane, I just can’t imagine! I would contact the American College of Pediatricians for some input about legitimate steps to take. In fact, I may just do that and include that information here. There are probably many more folks who have family struggles around this topic.

    • #6
  7. Stina Inactive
    Stina
    @CM

    Merrijane (View Comment):
    This is so distressing. I have a wonderful niece who is very uncomfortable with her physical appearance as compared to her older sister. Her sister is tall and thin and conventionally pretty. My niece is … not. She’s brassy and energetic rather than demure or soft-spoken. But neither is she masculine, in either appearance or behavior. Yet she’s decided that, because she’s not beautiful and sweet and popular like her sister, she must really be meant to be a boy. It’s been a rough road for her parents to deal with … the idea of your child undergoing incredibly physically damaging “therapies” that often cannot be reversed must be terrifying. They will not be allowing her to do that while she’s living with them, but it’s not many more years until she could do it herself.

    This makes me cry. I have said it before and I will say it again that this social pathology keeps us from helping people who need help.

    • #7
  8. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    For those of you who may want access to resources from the American College of Pediatricians, you can go here.

    • #8
  9. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Please note that the American College of Pediatricians (referenced in this post) and the American Academy of Pediatrics are not the same; the latter clearly has a progressive agenda if you check their website.

    • #9
  10. Postmodern Hoplite Coolidge
    Postmodern Hoplite
    @PostmodernHoplite

    As a teacher, I am questioning how long I can continue to work in the public schools and keep my integrity. I have no students who suffer from this mental disorder, (or more correctly, I have no students who are being abused by the mentally-ill adults in their lives), but to remain silent at mandatory staff training and teacher “workshops” implies consent and approval.

    • #10
  11. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Postmodern Hoplite (View Comment):
    As a teacher, I am questioning how long I can continue to work in the public schools and keep my integrity. I have no students who suffer from this mental disorder, (or more correctly, I have no students who are being abused by the mentally-ill adults in their lives), but to remain silent at mandatory staff training and teacher “workshops” implies consent and approval.

    That must be really difficult, with the propaganda that is put out there. The pushback for speaking out might even cost a person his or her job. Are they actively promoting these issues as I’ve described them? I’m glad I’m not in that position. Thanks PH.

    • #11
  12. James Gawron Inactive
    James Gawron
    @JamesGawron

    Merrijane (View Comment):
    This is so distressing. I have a wonderful niece who is very uncomfortable with her physical appearance as compared to her older sister. Her sister is tall and thin and conventionally pretty. My niece is … not. She’s brassy and energetic rather than demure or soft-spoken. But neither is she masculine, in either appearance or behavior. Yet she’s decided that, because she’s not beautiful and sweet and popular like her sister, she must really be meant to be a boy. It’s been a rough road for her parents to deal with … the idea of your child undergoing incredibly physically damaging “therapies” that often cannot be reversed must be terrifying. They will not be allowing her to do that while she’s living with them, but it’s not many more years until she could do it herself.

    Merri,

    This is distressing. Some very famous actresses, Kathryn Hepburn I think, were tomboys when young. They grew into beautiful women and ended up in very satisfying long-term relationships with men, Spenser Tracey. If this were 60 years ago she would be allowed to find her own path. If this were 30 years ago most counselors would be very eager to help and sensitive to her.

    Now there is a risk that a politically motivated ideologue will try to exploit this temporary confusion. If you can, maybe you could let her know that there are two sides to this story.

    Regards,

    Jim

    • #12
  13. Bob W Member
    Bob W
    @WBob

    If I went outside my house and started asking little boys in the neighborhood if they wanted to be a little girl, and I could help them be a little girl, what would happen to me? I would be sorry, to say the least. But that’s exactly what’s happening on a larger scale, and it’s the elites and academics who are doing it, and there are no consequences at all.

    • #13
  14. tigerlily Member
    tigerlily
    @tigerlily

    Thanks for this post Susan; although, I find this children’s version that boys can be girls and vice versa even more absurd, disturbing and damaging than the adult version. It seems to me that the worst aspect of all this silliness is that since the Democrat party is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the cultural left, politics rather than social/cultural factors will drive this issue and much needless damage will be done in the meantime.

    • #14
  15. SkipSul Inactive
    SkipSul
    @skipsul

    Merrijane (View Comment):
    This is so distressing. I have a wonderful niece who is very uncomfortable with her physical appearance as compared to her older sister. Her sister is tall and thin and conventionally pretty. My niece is … not. She’s brassy and energetic rather than demure or soft-spoken. But neither is she masculine, in either appearance or behavior. Yet she’s decided that, because she’s not beautiful and sweet and popular like her sister, she must really be meant to be a boy. It’s been a rough road for her parents to deal with … the idea of your child undergoing incredibly physically damaging “therapies” that often cannot be reversed must be terrifying. They will not be allowing her to do that while she’s living with them, but it’s not many more years until she could do it herself.

    Yes, we have friends who are going through this with their daughter too.

    The worst part of all?

    The damned school has been counseling the poor girl for nearly a year without the parents even knowing!  Those [redacted] rat [redacted] have been pushing this girl into declaring herself a boy.

    • #15
  16. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    SkipSul (View Comment):
    The worst part of all?

    The damned school has been counseling the poor girl for nearly a year without the parents even knowing! Those [redacted] rat [redacted] have been pushing this girl into declaring herself a boy.

    This is a major difference between the two pediatrics organizations I mentioned: the Progressive one “respects” the child’s right to privacy; the other organization recognizes the parents’ need to know. That’s unbelievable, Skip. I’m so sorry.

    • #16
  17. The Cloaked Gaijin Member
    The Cloaked Gaijin
    @TheCloakedGaijin

    Playboy just featured photos of its first transgender playmate.

    (Now there are some victims.  Just kidding, I think.)

    Just like the Boy Scouts, even when the title has the word “boy” in the title, things still get confusing….

    • #17
  18. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    The Cloaked Gaijin (View Comment):
    Just like the Boy Scouts, even when the title has the word “boy” in the title, things still get confusing….

    We can only imagine how the kids themselves feel . . .

    • #18
  19. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    James Gawron (View Comment):
    . All of this should be classified as sexual schizophrenia.

    I agree, Jim. It’s frightening and outrageous! How did we get to this place??

    Can anyone clarify this latest behavioral shift in society prior to Obama? Was it prevalent in Western Europe, or has this all evolved over the last 8 years? There has been a bull force push by the LGBTQ community in all areas of society to accept their terms or face the consequences, and was greenlighted by Obama. I don’t recall so much concentrated effort of societal change by one group prior to that – a 2000% increase in transgender referrals in the UK alone since 2009 is not only extremely abnormal, but absurd!   A Pandora’s Box has been opened –  What to do?

    • #19
  20. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    “Give me the child till he is seven, and I will show you the man”

    Jesuit Motto

    • #20
  21. James Gawron Inactive
    James Gawron
    @JamesGawron

    Front Seat Cat (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    James Gawron (View Comment):
    . All of this should be classified as sexual schizophrenia.

    I agree, Jim. It’s frightening and outrageous! How did we get to this place??

    Can anyone clarify this latest behavioral shift in society prior to Obama? Was it prevalent in Western Europe, or has this all evolved over the last 8 years? There has been a bull force push by the LGBTQ community in all areas of society to accept their terms or face the consequences, and was greenlighted by Obama. I don’t recall so much concentrated effort of societal change by one group prior to that – a 2000% increase in transgender referrals in the UK alone since 2009 is not only extremely abnormal, but absurd! A Pandora’s Box has been opened – What to do?

    FSC,

    Close the box.

    Regards,

    Jim

    • #21
  22. Dave_L Inactive
    Dave_L
    @Dave-L

    Kozak (View Comment):
    “Give me the child till he is seven, and I will show you the man”

    Jesuit Motto

    Unless that Jesuit happens to be Father James Martin, SJ.

    • #22
  23. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    James Gawron (View Comment):

    Front Seat Cat (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    James Gawron (View Comment):
    . All of this should be classified as sexual schizophrenia.

    I agree, Jim. It’s frightening and outrageous! How did we get to this place??

    Can anyone clarify this latest behavioral shift in society prior to Obama? Was it prevalent in Western Europe, or has this all evolved over the last 8 years? There has been a bull force push by the LGBTQ community in all areas of society to accept their terms or face the consequences, and was greenlighted by Obama. I don’t recall so much concentrated effort of societal change by one group prior to that – a 2000% increase in transgender referrals in the UK alone since 2009 is not only extremely abnormal, but absurd! A Pandora’s Box has been opened – What to do?

    FSC,

    Close the box.

    Regards,

    Jim

    Give an example where that ever worked.

    • #23
  24. I Walton Member
    I Walton
    @IWalton

    I hate to keep seeing everything from the same perspective, but I can’t help it, I’m like a marxist who sees everything as part of historical materialism.   I see these issues as significantly influenced by how groups form, shape policies and shape the internal group rules.  This is the  dynamic Olsen discussed in his life time of work on the economics of groups. I.E. small groups with big interests organize and with time, prosperity and stability, large groups can also organize so that there are always multiple interests dominating policy.   In all institutions, especially government, foundations, institutions without a bottom line or direct accountability multiple interests organize themselves more openly and more aggressively.   Man is oversexed but it seems when anomalous sex drives and confusions exist that over sexed nature becomes obsessive, the center of all things and that makes replication and organization even more important .  These tiny minorities grow which is one of their limited goals, eventually they’ll work themselves to have influence on hiring and promotion and they will get organized and start shaping policies.  These groups metastasize and spread to sister organizations, agencies or offices within the same institution.  The problem is that once an organization is totally incrusted with the barnacles of  organized interests, it is easier to just dismantle it and start over, than to reform.    In this case getting rid of true believers whose sole self identification as well as group interest is at the core, reform is probably  impossible.

    • #24
  25. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    Front Seat Cat (View Comment):

    James Gawron (View Comment):

    Front Seat Cat (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    James Gawron (View Comment):
    . All of this should be classified as sexual schizophrenia.

    I agree, Jim. It’s frightening and outrageous! How did we get to this place??

    Can anyone clarify this latest behavioral shift in society prior to Obama? Was it prevalent in Western Europe, or has this all evolved over the last 8 years? There has been a bull force push by the LGBTQ community in all areas of society to accept their terms or face the consequences, and was greenlighted by Obama. I don’t recall so much concentrated effort of societal change by one group prior to that – a 2000% increase in transgender referrals in the UK alone since 2009 is not only extremely abnormal, but absurd! A Pandora’s Box has been opened – What to do?

    FSC,

    Close the box.

    Regards,

    Jim

    Give an example where that ever worked.

    Well, remember the last thing left in  Pandora’s box.

    • #25
  26. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Front Seat Cat (View Comment):
    Can anyone clarify this latest behavioral shift in society prior to Obama? Was it prevalent in Western Europe, or has this all evolved over the last 8 years?

    I’m afraid it’s gone on for a while. All the issues that challenge sexual norms have been game for their efforts, and Obama was the icing on the cake. And I have no idea what to do about it, FSC.

    • #26
  27. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    I Walton (View Comment):
    In all institutions, especially government, foundations, institutions without a bottom line or direct accountability multiple interests organize themselves more openly and more aggressively. Man is oversexed but it seems when anomalous sex drives and confusions exist that over sexed nature becomes obsessive, the center of all things and that makes replication and organization even more important .

    I hate to say it, I, but this all makes sense. We’ve allowed them power, thinking they were harmless, annoying groups, and now they have far too much power, and we have very little. It’s very discouraging to me.

    • #27
  28. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Kozak (View Comment):

    Front Seat Cat (View Comment):

    James Gawron (View Comment):

    Front Seat Cat (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    James Gawron (View Comment):
    . All of this should be classified as sexual schizophrenia.

    I agree, Jim. It’s frightening and outrageous! How did we get to this place??

    Can anyone clarify this latest behavioral shift in society prior to Obama? Was it prevalent in Western Europe, or has this all evolved over the last 8 years? There has been a bull force push by the LGBTQ community in all areas of society to accept their terms or face the consequences, and was greenlighted by Obama. I don’t recall so much concentrated effort of societal change by one group prior to that – a 2000% increase in transgender referrals in the UK alone since 2009 is not only extremely abnormal, but absurd! A Pandora’s Box has been opened – What to do?

    FSC,

    Close the box.

    Regards,

    Jim

    Give an example where that ever worked.

    Well, remember the last thing left in Pandora’s box.

    I had to look that up on Wikipedia!

    • #28
  29. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Merrijane (View Comment):
    This is so distressing. I have a wonderful niece who is very uncomfortable with her physical appearance as compared to her older sister. Her sister is tall and thin and conventionally pretty. My niece is … not. She’s brassy and energetic rather than demure or soft-spoken. But neither is she masculine, in either appearance or behavior. Yet she’s decided that, because she’s not beautiful and sweet and popular like her sister, she must really be meant to be a boy. It’s been a rough road for her parents to deal with … the idea of your child undergoing incredibly physically damaging “therapies” that often cannot be reversed must be terrifying. They will not be allowing her to do that while she’s living with them, but it’s not many more years until she could do it herself.

    Marijane – we also have a pair of twin sisters – both beautiful who are the stepchildren of my husband’s cousin. One decided to be a boy- change her name, appearance, all of it in high school. They cannot find any hormonal reasons for it but are going with it – it’s been really bizarre and stressful for his family.  Maybe in some cases it is legit but I think it is rare. Not sure either way here.

    • #29
  30. Doctor Robert Member
    Doctor Robert
    @DoctorRobert

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Front Seat Cat (View Comment):
    Can anyone clarify this latest behavioral shift in society prior to Obama? Was it prevalent in Western Europe, or has this all evolved over the last 8 years?

    This was deliberately introduced all of a sudden, simultaneously in several states, by the Dems/Progressives 2 or 3 summers ago, no doubt to distract us from Obama’s bringing in new Dems from Guatemala.  Bruce Jenner’s illness seems to my poor memory to have also been part of the initiating cause.  It’s scarey how this has taken off without a scintilla of meaningful science behind it.  It’s all political, all anti-traditional-Americanism.  The destruction of these children is collateral damage, irrelevant to the left.

    I’m afraid it’s gone on for a while. All the issues that challenge sexual norms have been game for their efforts, and Obama was the icing on the cake. And I have no idea what to do about it, FSC.

    Fight back.

    Tell the obvious truths.

    Educate your kids.

    Never accept this crap. Be as strong as Churchill.

    I feel now, dealing with my 16 year old daughter, like a Polish Christian in 1955, having to teach my kid the truth in private and in confidence.

    Where is our John Paul?

    • #30
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