I struggle to understand how Kelley Robinson can continue to push for the transing away and medicalization of vulnerable children and youth as a woman, a homosexual and President of HRC. Is it the notoriety and power she gains from her position? Does anyone truly believe she thinks humans can change sex? Does she not care about the erasure of gay and lesbian identities and the impact to women’s rights? Is she completely unaware of the number of Detransitioners and the significant harm caused to them? Of the medical complications suffered by content trans IDing people who are committed to a life of cross hormone therapy and surgery? Are these people being paid such handsome salaries they’ve traded ethics for money?
Thoughts? Because we’ve seen this from other gay and lesbian heads of every major LGBTQ+ organizations in the Western world.
I think once HRC appointed to it’s board a straight parent of a trans IDing child, it was over in ever thinking they would defend LGB rights. I’ve been calling for their defunding for some time and believe that’s the only way through to getting them to listen. While there have been some major corporations pull funding from both Stonewall and HRC, it does not appear to be enough to cause senior leadership to hit the pause button.
Great post, thanks Bev! There is no such thing as a "trans kid", but there are many children confused and unhappy about what happens to bodies during puberty and a lot of adults who love to groom children to meet their own unmet desires.
If we accept the premise that children "know themselves" (I must be a bit slow as I was probably about 40 before I really understood some things), then why aren't doctors giving "fat affirming care" to anorexic teens? Shouldn't they be getting liposuction and gym memberships, instead of inpatient care and being forced to eat?
And my dear friend who fought "demons" for 13 months of puerperal psychosis with multiple suicide efforts, why did her family and her health care team dedicate themselves to keeping her alive, when she "knew" that this was the only action that was going to save her children from being killed by the demon in her head?
I appreciate your passionate & articulate condemnation of medicalizing gender non-conforming (or confused?) kids. There’s an aspect of your analysis, however, that I think misrepresents the history of the movement. That is: your statements that once marriage equality was made legal, legacy gay rights organizations scrambled for relevance by latching on to ‘trans rights’.
Now, I’m going to say that trans types have been in the movement much earlier than 2015. Witness, as a simple example, the brouhaha at the Michigan Womyn’s Fest that brewed for decades (men in dresses demanding admittance). Drag queens were almost a staple of gay bars since even Stonewall &, no doubt before. Of course, activists are going to say drag is not the same as trans but … looks & smells similar to me?
So, I’d rather say that trans & drag sorts have been pushing for inclusion and acceptance since forever! The medicalization pathways come more, imho, from early sexologists and medical types who put these Frankensteinian ‘treatments’ on the market. Why some major human rights organizations embraced the medical model speaks more to the power of the medical associations than these gay groups. I suppose aligning with the docs gave the gay groups more credibility or, at least a way to deal with (help) the clamoring queens?
I think that last point must explain it ☹️
Excellent article btw, Bev. Thank you for speaking out.
I struggle to understand how Kelley Robinson can continue to push for the transing away and medicalization of vulnerable children and youth as a woman, a homosexual and President of HRC. Is it the notoriety and power she gains from her position? Does anyone truly believe she thinks humans can change sex? Does she not care about the erasure of gay and lesbian identities and the impact to women’s rights? Is she completely unaware of the number of Detransitioners and the significant harm caused to them? Of the medical complications suffered by content trans IDing people who are committed to a life of cross hormone therapy and surgery? Are these people being paid such handsome salaries they’ve traded ethics for money?
Thoughts? Because we’ve seen this from other gay and lesbian heads of every major LGBTQ+ organizations in the Western world.
I think once HRC appointed to it’s board a straight parent of a trans IDing child, it was over in ever thinking they would defend LGB rights. I’ve been calling for their defunding for some time and believe that’s the only way through to getting them to listen. While there have been some major corporations pull funding from both Stonewall and HRC, it does not appear to be enough to cause senior leadership to hit the pause button.
Great post, thanks Bev! There is no such thing as a "trans kid", but there are many children confused and unhappy about what happens to bodies during puberty and a lot of adults who love to groom children to meet their own unmet desires.
If we accept the premise that children "know themselves" (I must be a bit slow as I was probably about 40 before I really understood some things), then why aren't doctors giving "fat affirming care" to anorexic teens? Shouldn't they be getting liposuction and gym memberships, instead of inpatient care and being forced to eat?
And my dear friend who fought "demons" for 13 months of puerperal psychosis with multiple suicide efforts, why did her family and her health care team dedicate themselves to keeping her alive, when she "knew" that this was the only action that was going to save her children from being killed by the demon in her head?
Follow the money gets you there every time: https://lucyleader.substack.com/p/gender-affirming-care-for-children
I appreciate your passionate & articulate condemnation of medicalizing gender non-conforming (or confused?) kids. There’s an aspect of your analysis, however, that I think misrepresents the history of the movement. That is: your statements that once marriage equality was made legal, legacy gay rights organizations scrambled for relevance by latching on to ‘trans rights’.
Now, I’m going to say that trans types have been in the movement much earlier than 2015. Witness, as a simple example, the brouhaha at the Michigan Womyn’s Fest that brewed for decades (men in dresses demanding admittance). Drag queens were almost a staple of gay bars since even Stonewall &, no doubt before. Of course, activists are going to say drag is not the same as trans but … looks & smells similar to me?
So, I’d rather say that trans & drag sorts have been pushing for inclusion and acceptance since forever! The medicalization pathways come more, imho, from early sexologists and medical types who put these Frankensteinian ‘treatments’ on the market. Why some major human rights organizations embraced the medical model speaks more to the power of the medical associations than these gay groups. I suppose aligning with the docs gave the gay groups more credibility or, at least a way to deal with (help) the clamoring queens?
Another great article. Very well written.
I'd have given anything to be at the Supreme Court yesterday.