A Genspect parent speaks out in the UK’s Daily Telegraph

By Angus Fox

Our first article to appear in the UK mainstream media!

“CBBC’s trans messaging is damaging children, says mother”

By Hayley Dixon

In the piece, a mother who has been working with Genspect reveals how she believes her gay teenage son has been pushed in medicalization:

She believes her son is gay, but said the focus on trans issues in schools, online and on TV combined with bullying over his sexuality had persuaded him to go down a potentially irreversible medical route. The mother, who cannot be named, spoke to the Telegraph to mark the launch of Genspect, a support group for parents who are concerned about the treatment that their children are receiving.

Many parents will also be familiar with the scripted language her son came out with when first talking about transition. Far from being his own authentic voice, the words he used seemed to be sourced from large organizations:

She noticed that when he told her he was trans he used “the stock phrases” and she believes he was “groomed at school”, where they used guidance from Stonewall, the LGBT charity. The mother said: “The influences are everywhere. Who knew that you had to protect your children from CBBC or Childline?”

Also grindingly familiar to parents with gender-questioning kids will be the failure of the healthcare system to provide adequate therapy. An all-too-common misperception is that hormones are only provided after intensive therapeutic investigation. Not so, according to this parent:

The mother thought he had decided against transitioning medically until she saw that he had a GP referral letter to an NHS gender identity clinic late last year. Within weeks, he had received Finasteride – a hair-loss drug being used experimentally on those wishing to transition – and other hormones. “He can’t have even have had counselling, and the problem is professionals take an affirmative approach without question,” she said.

Hats off to Hayley Dixon. This Telegraph article takes the time to ask a parent for her perspective on her child’s healthcare, rather than assuming affirmation. Hopefully, it will be the first of many!