Non-binary advocate Teddy Goetz advocating for prioritizing ‘gender affirming’ surgery over therapy, urges psychiatrists

Recently, two major developments have shaken the world of youth gender medicine.

Firstly, secret files uncovered last month revealed that members of the leading transgender health-care organization admitted in private that children and adolescents were incapable of providing informed consent for irreversible medical procedures they underwent.

Secondly, a 388-page report from the UK, led by British pediatrician Hilary Cass, criticized the lack of scientific evidence supporting hormone and surgery use for gender-questioning minors.

As a result, Britain has banned puberty blockers for those under 18.

Finally, common sense seems to be prevailing, with increasing calls to prioritize counseling as the initial step for children unsure about their gender, rather than immediate resort to medication and surgery.

 

However, a new challenge arises as the American Psychiatric Association endorses a radical new textbook in the form of “Gender-Affirming Psychiatric Care.”

This textbook is not just an ordinary reference but a dangerous handbook that could lead vulnerable children from therapy to life-altering medical procedures without proper evaluation.

With the APA’s approval, this textbook could significantly impact medical education and clinical practice, raising concerns among professionals like psychiatrist Lauren Schwartz, who question its validity and safety.

Despite a critical open letter signed by over 7,000 clinicians and researchers, the APA has chosen to ignore these concerns, jeopardizing the well-being of gender-questioning children.

 

The textbook’s central message emphasizes that psychiatrists must always affirm a patient’s self-diagnosis, linking non-affirmation to increased risk of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation.

Psychiatrists are reportedly being pressured to prescribe puberty blockers and hormones to gender-questioning children, with limited discussions about alternative treatment options.

This extremist approach to gender-affirming care is further fueled by outdated and questionable advice promoted in the textbook, disregarding scientific evidence and disregarding dissenting voices within the medical community.

Such unconventional views are manifested throughout the textbook’s content, aligning with the editor’s fringe perspectives on gender and identity, which have raised significant concerns among healthcare professionals and experts.

Despite calls for the APA to withdraw this contentious textbook, the organization’s lack of transparency and responsiveness reflects poorly on its commitment to evidence-based medical care and ethical practices.

The APA’s silence and disregard for dissenting opinions cast a shadow over its credibility and integrity, potentially compromising the well-being of vulnerable individuals seeking gender-related psychiatric care.

Gerald Posner, author of “Pharma: Greed, Lies and the Poisoning of America.”