Thread by @JuliaMasonMD1

11 days ago I submitted a Letter to the Editor of the New York Times, in response to an opinion piece by that prolific psychiatric resident who can not be @'d because he has blocked me.

It was titled "What South Dakota Doesn't Get About Transgender Children."

(thread: 1/8)

(2/8) It's safe to say at this point that I'm not getting my concerns aired on the august pages of the gray lady. I was told I'd hear back in a week; I've waited that plus 4.

So, I will share my letter with all of you!

To the Editor:

I've been around long enough to see . . .

(3/8)...medical fashions come and go: antipsychotics for "oppositional" children, opioids for chronic pain - both seemed like good ideas at the time. I'm skeptical that almost 2% of teens are transgender, even if they say so in a survey.

(4/8) Given that most pediatric cases of gender dysphoria occur in homosexual kids, I see pediatric transition medicine as a new form of gay conversion therapy.

There are more than a few detransitioners and many are expressing regret . . .

(5/8) . . . about permanent changes they made to their bodies when they were too young to give truly informed consent. My first transgender patient, who started testosterone at 16, is having urine leakage and is frustrated that they'll never be a "real man."

(6/8)

The truth is that nobody can really change their sex.

(7/8)

I'm concerned that gender non-conforming young children, instead of being encouraged to do and wear what they wish, are being told that if they don't fit the stereotypes for boy or girl it might mean they are "born in the wrong body."

(8/8) In the past the majority of gender dysphoric children desisted during puberty.

I worry that affirmative care is creating a cohort of lifelong medical/surgical patients.

(that's it - that's my letter)