Thread by @catcattinson

It's obvious why it's harmful for minors to attempt to change sex, but do I think that "fully informed" adults can consent to undergoing gender affirming (i.e. sterilizing and mutilating) procedures? No. Here's a thread about why not. (1/?)

First of all, there have never been clinical trials or controlled studies on the efficacy or safety of "gender-affirming" procedures. When doctors say it is relatively safe, they are lying. They can't know this, because they are basing it on insufficient, low-quality data. (2/?)

We do not have accurate numbers about the people who regret transition, end their lives, or suffer side effects, especially in the long-term. This data is not being tracked. We're also unaware of all the possible side effects, again due to lack of quality studies. (3/?)

In other words this whole practice is one large, uncontrolled human experiment. How can patients be fully informed if their doctors aren't properly informed themselves? Many times, doctors will simply give patients the hormones they ask for out of fear of losing their jobs. (4/?)

Furthermore, people asking for these procedures are often in a state of severe mental illness and emotional distress. They are being fed the narrative that medical transition is the only solution to dysphoria, and that without it they are doomed to unalive themselves. (5/?)

There is no scientific basis for this narrative. In fact, it most closely resembles a manipulation tactic that narcissists use to force others into giving them what they want. (6/?)

If people are threatening to unalive themselves, they need proper mental health support and a higher level of care. There is no evidence that cross-sex hormones are an effective or appropriate treatment for severe depression or ideation. (7/?)

Finally, someone in such a state cannot consent to life-changing, painful, and sterilizing medical procedures. If someone believes that cutting off body parts is what will bring them true happiness, that is proof they are not mentally stable enough for such a decision. (8/8)