Why We Need to Be Aware of Detransition
It's science, stupid!
Today is Detransition Awareness Day, during which those involved in youth gender medicine in any way should pay attention to the stories of those hurt by psychological and medical interventions for gender issues. And yet, well, few acknowledge the reality of detransitioners, as is clear in the WPATH Files video. In it, gender docs insist a case of regret and “I was actually just gay and shouldn’t have transitioned” is but another gender journey with a happy ending.
We’ve seen progress. Detransition covered in The Atlantic, Reuters, and The New York Times. But those are exceptions. And without long-term follow up and high quality research, we still don’t know how to measure the number or percentage of detransitioners—or even if that’s a good measure of the efficacy of these interventions. I know people who regret transitioning but haven’t tried to go back, in part because they will never “pass” as their actual sex. Remember that the point of the Dutch protocol—blockers, hormones, surgery—was to help kids pass as the opposite sex, in theory so they’d be happier as adults. Now some can’t pass as their own sex and have to figure out how to be happy anyway! Seems like something those facilitating transition should, you know, think about.
I’ve interviewed three detransitioners in the past few weeks, and their stories broke my heart. They were each in the middle of severe mental health crises when they sought surgery—and were approved. One was high on crack during the appointment with the therapist. These stories must make it not only to mainstream media, but to the medical associations creating guidelines and policy statements. Awareness is key.
Please share stories of detransition with friends, family, school personnel, people in medicine. These young people deserve to have their voices heard.
Here are some past pieces on detransition. I tried for three years to get their stories into mainstream media. And then I wrote about why the media must cover them.
— The Urgency of Detransition Care
— The Cooptation of Detransition
— The Mainstream Media Needs to Talk About Detransitioners
Hi Lisa,
We are often told that talking about detransition somehow takes away from so many people who are happy with their transition. What do you think of this argument?
Weren’t you asking to speak to happy transitioned people for your book not long ago? I’m curious about how this part of your research went.
I have come to know some trans people over the last few years. Most transitioned many years ago. Even the happy ones say candidly that there is a physical toll from hormones and surgery, and that given what they know today, if they could go back in time they maybe wouldn’t do it again.
Lisa, thank you for continuing to beat the drum on this, so important. And, indeed, I will never forget when you wrote that the media should talk to detransitioners “lots of them.” On another note, I want to applaud your interview with PBS Books about your new book, Housewife. You were terrific—clear, informed, and charming (and I think your backdrop would deserve a room rater of 10/10, for sure). I was very touched by how much your book resonated with the interviewer, a young mom with three children, as I recall. You have definitely touched a chord here—as also exemplified by Amazon ranking it as #1 nonfiction, if I saw that correctly. Congratulations, and well done!