COMMENTARY
OPINION:
One would assume any structured medicalization process endlessly foisted upon children would be tried, tested and true, validated, and corroborated by extensive research categorically proving its viability and usefulness.
But as we’ve seen in recent years, assumptions are too often naive, silly — or even dangerous.
A case in point: Recent studies about gender confusion unveil the unbelievably diabolical realities surrounding the dangers of rampant emotion and activism consuming real-life medicine. These studies show most children grow out of gender confusion and that the so-called treatments being offered don’t necessarily provide promised reprieves.
Let’s explore just three recent discoveries and events that could turn the transgender movement on its head.
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While many activists have claimed that so-called cross-sex hormones and even surgeries aimed at helping ease gender confusion in those suffering from gender dysphoria are definitively effective, the earth-shattering review found the actual evidence is quite feeble. Plus, the report found medicalization simply isn’t the best path forward for these struggling young people.
These are remarkable admissions when, for years now, people raising any such query about these “treatments” have been labeled transphobic and bigoted and have been canceled and otherwise dismissed.
“This is an area of remarkably weak evidence, and yet results of studies are exaggerated or misrepresented by people on all sides of the debate to support their viewpoint,” “The Cass Review” reads in part. “The reality is that we have no good evidence on the long-term outcomes of interventions to manage gender-related distress.”
At the center of much of this debate is the endlessly stated claim that hormones, puberty blockers and other interventions save lives by preventing youth suicides. Ms. Cass’ report, though, says otherwise.
In fact, the text proclaims that “the evidence found did not support this conclusion.”
The recommendations are quite notable, including holding back on hormones before age 16 and more readily helping and supporting detransitioners — people who have lived as transgender and subsequently decided to embrace their biological gender.
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While activists are claiming a failure to embrace transgender ideology will literally kill people via suicidal ideation, this second study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior found a major decrease in “gender non-contentedness” as young people became adults.
“Gender non-contentedness, while being relatively common during early adolescence, in general decreases with age and appears to be associated with a poorer self-concept and mental health throughout development,” the paper read.
These damning results spark a plethora of questions with which we must all contend: How many lives have been destroyed because of emotionalism, ideological nonsense and rhetorical bullying against anyone asking questions? Beyond that: How many young people have been misled and irreparably harmed in the process?
And it’s hard to avoid the inevitable curiosity: Who, if anyone, will be held accountable if the claims in these studies check out?
The third and final development is the rise of detransitioners who are sharing their stories, despite many media seemingly ignoring their plights. These are people who bought into lies and, in the process, lost the ability to procreate, among other horrific effects.
The true costs associated with their experiences are just now coming to light — and the ramifications could be sweeping. As The Washington Times’ astute reporter Valerie Richardson noted in December, “the biggest threat to ‘gender-affirming care’ might come not from state bans for minors but from scarred young women.”
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It’s incredibly dangerous to allow emotion to drive the medical complex and our public policies. Making life-altering decisions for children who do not yet have the full capability to understand such choices has always been diabolical, troubling and unimaginable.
But doing so in light of the lack of research crosses a threshold into unthinkable evil. The truth shall set us free, and, in this case, we must pray it stops the madness and truly saves lives.
• The Washington Times’ Higher Ground will host a video event April 24 at 2 p.m. with detransitioners who will share their journeys with the audience. Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” He is the author of four books.