I know it's hard to keep the flame
But tomorrow's ours to claim
Sometimes a battlecry
Sounds like a lullaby
Tonight I think we need them both the same
To everyone who's scared of what they see
Every time they turn on their TV
To everyone who's listening to me
To every single kid I used to be
You build a wall
We'll build a ladder
You're falling leaves
Dead from the branch
You'll see how much
A snowflake matters
When we become
An avalanche
You build a wall
We'll just get higher
You don't learn to fight
From privilege
Hide in the dark
We'll light a fire
You build a wall
We'll build a bridge
We'll build a bridge
Up in your palaces of gold
Your day's already growing old
For all the ways you tried
To conquer and divide
Your ruin will be all the lies you told
Compassion lives in every single land
We're made of something you don't understand
Stronger than the weapons in your hand
Bigger than the armies you command
Since 2017, during a moral panic, too many UK Trans youth have died waiting for Gender Services or CAMHS. For many, state failures were a factor in their deaths. It is vital we learn from, & discuss their deaths responsibly. This thread is my attempt to do so CW: Death Suicide 1/
Before discussing individual cases it is important to know that there is rarely one cause for suicide. All deaths by suicide are avoidable & there is always help available if you need it.
Samaritans - 116 123
Papyrus - 0800 068 41 41 (Text 07786 209697) Childline - 0800 1111 2/
In writing this thread I have referred to Samaritans media guidelines on reporting suicide & for reporting Inquests, & to Papyrus guidelines for journalists. I encourage anyone discussing suicide to familiarise themselves with these valuable guides 3/papyrus-uk.org/guidelines-for…
Today the Government has published a "Review of suicides and gender dysphoria at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust: independent report" by @ProfLAppleby. It is published in the context of a public discussion on suicide in relation to access to puberty blockers. 1/
This review is based upon two data sources: 1) Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust audit. 2) National Child Mortality Database (NCMD). It would be helpful for these sources to be published alongside the report in order that it be "open to independent scrutiny" 2/
The stated aim of the review is to "examine evidence for a large rise in suicides claimed by campaigners", & 5 summary conclusions are given. [In Screenshot with AltText].
In broad summary I do not disagree with the main message of points 1. 2. 3. and 5. 3/
Some important questions from @CatSmithMP here to the Department of Health. I look forward to @wesstreeting's responses. On Q262 (comparative assessment against other European countries) I can imagine he will refer to the Cass/ York's Systematic Review. However... 1/
As demonstrated by Yale Law School "Evidence-Based Critique of “The Cass Review” this failed to adhere to key components of a SR - "standardized and rigorous process that assesses quality of the entire body of evidence". York's paper on Clincal Guidelines is particulalry poor 2/
Yale correctly points out many faults by York's review on Guidelines, including that of 23 documents for analysis "8 were not guidelines at all. These documents were position papers & affirmative statements that explicitly deferred to actual guidelines" 3/adc.bmj.com/content/early/…
1. Puberty blockers have been used in Trans health since the 1980s the same as for precocious puberty. There is 40+ years evidence that this treatment is effective. With no recorded instances of serious harm. 2. Cass Review did not compare use of blockers in PP and Trans health.
The Cass Review provides no strong evidence that puberty blockers impact phychological and brain development. This is hypothesis and conjecture from a cis-supremacist position. Being Trans is not a bad outcome.
The NHS did not take a decision to ban puberty blockers. They were instructed to do so by Hilary Cass, who was in turn ordered to write a report by a government intent on removing Trans adolescent healthcare. There is no clinical Trial now. Lack of Trans healthcare is unsafe now!
In 1981 Stephen, a 14 yr old Trans boy in Pittsburg found a psychiatrist who would listen & asked for a 'sex change'. The psychiatrist spent 5 months analysing Stephen, & decided rather than provide hormone treatment he would prescribe anti depressents.. CW next tweet suicide 1/
Therapy' & antidepressents made things worse. Stephen had a number of suicide attempts immediately before or during menstruation. The psych to his credit, realised his treatment wasn't working & contacted an endocrinologist with experience working with 'Transsexuals' 2/
The Paediatric Endocrinologist, Dr Peter A Lee, prescribed medroxyprogesterone acetate, as a puberty blocker (now not used as less effective than GNrH agonists with a lot of side effects). Stephen had another period & took an overdose of amphetemines requiring intensive care 3/
Trans people have been using hormones for healthcare for around 100 years. There is 100 years of experience of Trans people helping each other source medication & use it as safely as possible working with health providers where possible in a 'least harm' approach. 1/
Under the current UK Government & NHS there is no access to adolescent healthcare. I believe there is a moral duty to help Trans youth who are accessing medication to do so as easily & as safely as possible. To highlight & mitigate the risks, & provide trusted information 2/
Further,, to enable Trans adolescents who may want access to Trans healthcare, to do so in line with International best practice & long established harm reduction guidelines. I will work with anyone with these aims & can provide resources, knowledge, platform & networks 3/