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Your regular reminder that UK media is incapable of high quality reporting on the topic of trans kids, and in ten years time we'll look back at even this less transphobic reporting and ask why the UK media failed trans kids so badly in 2019. 1/
Four themes on show, that are always weaponised against trans children & supportive parents.
Firstly, the focus on stereotypes throughout, with identity & expression conflated. Research shows trans kids are more likely to fight against stereotypes 2/ onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.111…
Firstly, the focus on stereotypes throughout, with identity & expression conflated. Research shows trans kids are more likely to fight against stereotypes 2/ onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.111…
Of course some trans girls love dolls. Mine doesn't. This girl's story, her interests etc, are absolutely valid. But when the media only showcases trans girls who love dolls and trans boys who hate dolls, it feeds into a misleading & harmful discourse. 3/ growinguptransgender.com/2018/02/06/on-…
Secondly, the positioning of the affirmative mum, plus Mermaids, in opposition to the caution of all the experts. Here we have NHS GIDS advising against social transition, with no mention that this is at odds with paediatric organisations in USA, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, Oz 4/
The article adds in the views of two other cautious 'experts', neither of whom have any experience at all of trans kids. One's a psychologist with publications on such relevant topics as 'room layout in Japan'. Any Dr or psych opposed to trans kids will do in a UK news article 5/
Thirdly the emphasis on this being the 'Youngest' trans child. This is not the youngest trans child. It is common for some trans children to insist their identity at age three. Transitioning at age 5 is not an extreme event - extreme would have been to reject a child longer 6/
Fourthly the emphasis on it being a 'choice' & on the role of the mum. Those who deny the existence of trans kids like to attack supportive mums, blaming mums for either forcing their child to be trans or allowing their child an inappropriate 'choice'. 7/
The history of pathologisation of trans children is closely wrapped up in misogyny towards any supportive mums stepping out of line of what white male cis psychologists thought was best. There's a dark history of blaming mums for gender diversity. 8/
I can't tell you how many times I've been accused of munchausen by proxy - accused of child abuse. Supportive dads don't get this so much. Attacking supportive mums is deeply unfeminist, deeply ,misogynist. 9/
If a young child is trans there is no choice to be made in terms of their gender. The only choice to be made is whether you reject them or show them love. The only choice is whether you want them to be happy or miserable. No loving parent chooses to reject their child. 10/
I'm grateful to the family for speaking out. We need more voices out there to raise understanding of our kids. I also see the way the article subtly reinforces mis-perceptions, subtly (and un-subtly) positions a mum loving her child as somehow open for debate or judgement 11/
This positioning, even within less transphobic articles, makes life harder for families with young trans kids. Makes our communities think they have a right to withhold support for our kids. Makes other parent think giving less than full acceptance might be the best option 12/
Trans children exist. Trans children are not stereotypes. Trans children are as diverse as any other children. All parents should love & support their children. There is no minimum age on your child deserving love, safety & respect 13/
I hope other families will read this story & reach out to @Mermaids_Gender. Supporting a young trans child in the UK isn't an easy thing to do. My hat off to the mum in this story for loving her child & being brave enough to speak publicly. I'm sure it will help other families 14
