Gender Identity and Gender Expression should be removed from the NJ Conversion Therapy Law for Minors.
Children who are suffering from Gender Dysphoria cannot obtain a fair and balanced medical assessment.
On August 19, 2013 Governor Christie signed bill A3371 into law. Conversion therapy was now illegal in New Jersey (for minors).
This law was passed to stop the act of changing someones sexual orientation. Reading further into the law I noticed additional wording that should have never been included, “gender identity and gender expression“.
The law bans licensed professionals from talking to their patients about their “gender identity” or “gender expression” but if you are discussing the process of transitioning to the opposite sex then that’s acceptable.
Currently New Jersey has an affirmation only approach. Many therapist follow World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care Guidelines.
The procedures involved in transitioning children are cruel and barbaric. Children are given puberty blockers and cross sex hormones. Girls and young women are being prescribed testosterone and having mastectomies. Boys and young men are prescribed estrogen, they grow breast and have their penis inverted into a surgical womb to represent a vagina.
My thoughts and opinions:
- Gender Identity and sexual orientation are not the same.
- If someone is struggling with their gender identity they should be allowed to discuss “why” they feel uncomfortable in their bodies. Questions such as why the patient feel their lives would be better after they transition should be asked.
- There are no long term studies that show the benefits to transition, or the side effects of hormones.
- Hormone therapy is not approved by the FDA.
- Children need option not hormones and surgeries.
- Underlying issues such as autism which have been linked to children suffering from Gender Dysphoria needs to be ruled out.
- Transitioning to the opposite sex is biologically impossible. It also involves cross sex hormones and surgeries.
- Currently we have the affirmation approach in New Jersey. We are encouraging our children and young adults to transition.
- We would serve our children better by providing them with a proper mental evaluation as to why they have an anxiety in their real bodies.
- Accepting your body is not conversion therapy. Talking through your feelings is not conversion therapy.
The approach that someone is born in the wrong body needs to stop. Our children and young adults need our help. We must step in and help them from becoming a life long medical patient. Options are needed.
Go to CALL TO ACTION. Our elected officials need to hear from us.