In my last role as a school nurse there was a girl who, at the age of 11 told her parents she wanted to be a boy. So,, the parents did what they could and got help from various doctors and experts, and over the course of the next 3 years I got to know this student well, and regardless of what I thought on the matter, was able to support this student. The student knew I had a different perspective but we had a good working relationship and this student appreciated a different perspective eg I disagreed with the hormone blockers, chest compression brace and eventual male hormones.
Anyway, during this student's time here, 2 close female friends of the student decided they were trans as well. The thing is, I believed they were not trans. I knew both of them had serious family issues, including a family divorce, and had also gone through the gambit of self harm - from cutting, eating disorders etc. But the rest of the group of girls all agreed they were trans, and encouraged this.
At about the same time this was happening, Brown university came out with a study looking into ROGD (rapid onset gender dysphoria) which showed that the vast majority of the teens and young adults coming out as trans, were not actually trans. They cited various issues, including media pressure as well as underlying, unresolved psychological issues. Unfortunately, because this study was not 'affirming' of their transition, the study was withdrawn due to media pressure.
Anyway, regardless of my thoughts, these students were sent to the pediatric psychologist, who promptly refused to see them. I knew the psychologist very and and she confided in me that it's far too dangerous a minefield and she could easily lose her licence. She said that basically, any opinion that did not affirm someone as trans risked it all. A second pediatric psychologist I knew also refused to see them.
Anyway, the school decided to go along with one of the girl's requests to be called a boy. I was not happy to do this, but did ask my manager if the girl's parents were aware we were calling their daughter a boy. My manager said 'Yes' the parents were aware.
I was not convinced I was being told the truth, and about one week after being told the parents were aware, the headmaster had a talk with us in the health center, and told us that if we have any communication with the parents, not to call their daughter a boy or use her boy name ie we were told to lie to the parents.
I was not happy to do this, and quit. And now I'm in the middle of the Australian desert having new adventures.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
17 minutes ago, nursingaround1 said:
To say gender identity and sexual orientation are completely different is utterly wrong. How the hell can you say something so utterly wrong. For the entirety of human history people have not needed a DSM or psychiatrists to show this.
The gender a person identifies as has nothing to do with whom they're attracted to. Gender identity and sexual orientation are not the same thing. An AMAB woman could be attracted to men, or attracted to women, or bisexual, or pansexual. To whom they're attracted has nothing to do with their transexual-ness.
I think statistics on sexual abuse and other childhood traumas among people who later identify as transgender are shocking and very sad. Based on the abuse statistics, my belief is that transgenderism is, largely, a response to untreated trauma, and these people are not mentally well. I could also agree with the argument made in this thread that increasing transgenderism might be the result of hormonal imbalances tied to the products we consume and environmental factors. I could also agree with the idea that some very confused teens, struggling to find their place and social identity, end up claiming to be transgender just in an effort belong to some group because the lgbtq movement is trendy/politicized; teen years are rough. It's possible none of these statements are accurate. Even so, I don't think someone who is mentally well can legitimately believe they are inside the wrong body.
But really, no matter which of those factors is accurate/inaccurate, it still doesn't hurt me to show kindness and use someone's preferred name.
You are out of line, and it is not your place to "decide" for another person what their gender identity is. Furthermore, that study you referenced was not revised due to not being "affirming." Due to "questions raised about research design and data collection related to Lisa Littman’s study on “rapid-onset gender dysphoria,” Brown determined that removing the article from news distribution is the most responsible course of action."
And in today’s episode of “What Inanimate Object Are Women Being Compared To Now”.
Curious1197, please stop. You’re being gross, bordering on offensive.
I like that Curious1197?✋.Don't expect funny from you but very good.
You are very impulsive, aren't you? Argumentative sort? Huge chip on the shoulder, sort of person?
My take on the whole discussion is that it's about gender which to me is about sex. The purpose of life, since I am an animal, is reproduction. Pass my genes on.
All the subsequent posts from the OP onwards became emotional and interlectual, with no one addressing the elephant. What is the purpose of gender?
Even hermaphrodites choose that condition for a reason. Can anyone explain or point to a study that educationally explains why the emotional condition supersedes the biological choice, taking into account the animal kingdom and provide examples of the same occurring?
Yes there are many examples of apparent homosexuality in the animal kingdom, but is that our own imposed suppositions to explain a phenomena from our perspectives? Or, does the animal kingdom suffer from the same confusion re identity?
I'm a logical person, evidence based, no matter the emotional reverberations. I understand that in our species that we have these differences of gender choices or concerns etc. But, since BIOLOGICALLY we adhere to natural selection, what's the rationale for the gender fluidity? How does it fit into the natural selection progression?
If any answer includes God then that response kills the discussion immediately. Bible stuff etc? I don't understand LGBT, but I respect it because it's someone's choice. So, biological answers, please!
Unless posters are unable to provide a logical explanation! Is gender in humans, outside of the norm of biology or a natural progression and why? Is the parameters no longer biological and why?
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
8 minutes ago, Curious1997 said:
I like that Curious1197?✋.Don't expect funny from you but very good.
You are very impulsive, aren't you? Argumentative sort? Huge chip on the shoulder, sort of person?
Nope, not at all. I just dislike being compared to a car, and I think the idea that you find lesbians some kind of challenge to conquer to be gross and offensive. On behalf of lesbians everywhere, please stop.
Nope, not at all. I just dislike being compared to cars, and I think the idea that you find lesbians some kind of challenge to conquer to be gross and offensive. On behalf of lesbians everywhere, please stop.
Did someone elect you champion of the lesbians? Just because you don't like something, doesn't mean it applies to everyone! You would succumb to my patter anyway because I am very charming with a pleasant, likeable exterior ????.
Now substantiate your arguments re biology and natural selection and stop cherry picking phrases to fuel your angst!
You are out of line, and it is not your place to "decide" for another person what their gender identity is. Furthermore, that study you referenced was not revised due to not being "affirming." Due to "questions raised about research design and data collection related to Lisa Littman’s study on “rapid-onset gender dysphoria,” Brown determined that removing the article from news distribution is the most responsible course of action."
This is not true. The person doing the study was clear about its limitations but did give valuable data for further study. It even cited one case of a PE teacher coming out as trans, and half a dozen of his students (female) deciding to do the same.
The study was shut down because it did not produce results the leftist ideologues wanted.
To say gender identity and sexual orientation are completely different is utterly wrong. How the hell can you say something so utterly wrong. For the entirety of human history people have not needed a DSM or psychiatrists to show this.
It really wasn’t that hard to say... ? I’m not sure why you think I’m wrong. Gender identity and sexual orientation aren’t the same thing.
I’m biologically female and I identify as female. Are you telling me that’s sufficient information for you to deduce who I’m sexually attracted to?
I would have thought that it’s quite obvious that gender identity and sexual orientation are two different things.
Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.
Trans people have been around forever. It's not a new, liberal construct. There is documentation of trans people in ancient civilizations, Native American tribes, and many other cultures. It wasn't something people got up in arms about back then because they had more pressing matters to worry about, like food and shelter. Not saying I want to go back to those days, but I do want people to mind their own business. I'm sure you have better things to do than worry about someone else's gender identity and get rejected by lesbians!
And there is no research showing the majority of trans people to have abusive upbringings. Trans people come from all kinds of racial, psychosocial, and economic backgrounds. Most trans mental health issues stem from not being accepted in society and being actively targeted and harmed. Black trans women have the highest murder rate in the US. Maybe focus you energy on helping the most vulnerable.
Btw I am a lesbian and while I don't care when straight men flirt with me (and buy me free drinks!), it's a surefire way to get a drink dumped on your head one day. LOL good luck
PsychNurse24, BSN, RN
143 Posts
Look up Gender Incongruence in the DSM-5. Still a DSM-5 diagnosis. Nothing wrong with having a mental health diagnosis.