(This is a revision of a post from March 2015)
Below you will find a nearly verbatim conversation I had with a therapist some 2 years ago when looking for someone to help my child. Trans activists insist that therapists and doctors are careful not to misdiagnose a person as transgender who is merely “gender nonconforming,” but this has not been my experience. I had similar conversations with 3 other “gender therapists,” all of which went pretty much the same as the one below.
I would caution any parent of a child who claims to be transgender to do your homework first before entrusting your offspring to the care of a psychologist, psychiatrist, or medical doctor. Get on the phone and ask lots of questions. If they say they must meet your child first, run the other way.
Finding a professional who hasn’t jumped on the transgender bandwagon will likely be a hunt for a needle in a haystack. What you want is a professional who is interested in working on underlying issues that may be causing your child pain–not just someone who will fast-track your daughter or son onto the transition conveyer belt.
Be wary of any therapist who supports “informed consent” for minors. In a nutshell, this is the latest push by trans activists to shorten the “transition” process, relying mostly on the child’s avowed self identification as the one and only criterion.
Be aware that online communities on Reddit, Tumblr, and YouTube are actively inciting young, gender-questioning people to identify as transgender, and to demand immediate hormones, surgery, and other interventions. Active recruitment and coaching is a reality, including encouragement to threaten self harm. See the excellent blog, Transgender Reality for examples.
“Gender” therapist: Oh, it is VERY VERY rare for a 16-year-old who says they are transgender to really be lesbian.
Me: Hm. Oh, really? Well, she has only had relationships with girls, watches nothing but lesbian love stories on TV, and, um, just started talking about all this last week. She never talked about wanting to be a boy before that YouTube binge.
“Gender” therapist: Well, I know you’re scared and it must be so hard to accept this.
Me: No, actually, I just don’t buy it. I’m not scared. I’m angry.
“Gender” therapist (nodding sympathetically, while thinking, “what a transphobe”): Uh, huh. Well, you know, there is nothing you or I can do if she is actually transgender.
Me: So, all she has to do is SAY she is and that’s it?
“Gender” therapist: I’m sorry, we’re out of time. That will be $150.
