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Oregon allowing 15-year-olds to get state-subsidized sex-change operations


Mr. Ambien

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The list of things 15-year-olds are not legally allowed to do in Oregon is long: Drive, smoke, donate blood, get a tattoo -- even go to a tanning bed.

But, under a first-in-the-nation policy quietly enacted in January that many parents are only now finding out about, 15-year-olds are now allowed to get a sex-change operation. Many residents are stunned to learn they can do it without parental notification -- and the state will even pay for it through its Medicaid program, the Oregon Health Plan.

"It is trespassing on the hearts, the minds, the bodies of our children," said Lori Porter of Parents' Rights in Education. "They're our children. And for a decision, a life-altering decision like that to be done unbeknownst to a parent or guardian, it's mindboggling."

In a statement, Oregon Health Authority spokeswoman Susan Wickstrom explained it this way: "Age of medical consent varies by state. Oregon law -- which applies to both Medicaid and non-Medicaid Oregonians -- states that the age of medical consent is 15."

While 15 is the medical age of consent in the state, the decision to cover sex-change operations specifically was made by the Health Evidence Review Commission (HERC).

Members are appointed by the governor and paid by the state of Oregon. With no public debate, HERC changed its policy to include cross-sex hormone therapy, puberty-suppressing drugs and gender-reassignment surgery as covered treatments for people with gender dysphoria, formally known as gender identity disorder.

HERC officials refused repeated requests by Fox News for an interview and even gave Fox News inaccurate information about the medical director's work schedule.

Oregon Health Authority officials directed Fox News to their website. It shows transgender policy was discussed at four meetings in 2014. It was passed without any opposition or even discussion about teenagers' new access to undergoing a sex change.

Gender dysphoria is classified by the American Psychiatric Association as a mental disorder in which a person identifies as the sex opposite of his or her birth. It is rare, affecting one out of every 20,000 males and one out of every 50,000 females.

According to a 2008 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, "most children with gender dysphoria will not remain gender dysphoric after puberty."

Dr. Paul McHugh, who led the Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Department and still practices, said Oregon's policy amounts to child abuse. "We have a very radical and even mutilating treatment being offered to children without any evidence that the long-term outcome of this would be good," McHugh said.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/07/09/oregon-allowing-15-year-olds-to-get-state-subsidized-sex-change-operations/?intcmp=latestnews

It reminds me of another article about this in Canada, but this is from 2013:

Transgender children in Canada to get more support, expert says

Clinics offer range of therapies to transgender children, youth at 5 Canadian locations

A network of support for transgender children is growing in Canada, at clinics working to help youth transition from one gender to another.​

But critics say it raises ethical questions about when children are able to make medical decisions.

In Winnipeg, the Gender Dysphoria Assessment and Action for Youth (GDAAY) clinic helps young people who feel they were born in the wrong body.

The clinic helps people such as 18-year-old Xavier Raddysh, who says he knew from a young age he was a man.

Raddysh was identified as a girl at birth and named Kenzie, but says he doesn’t remember ever feeling female.

“I've definitely always been more of a male person. When I was little, I wouldn't play with the Barbies my parents got me. People would call me by my birth name, but I never did feel female, no,” said the Winnipeg teen.

Later, those feelings intensified.

“I was very uncomfortable when I hit puberty as a female. I would feel very sad and upset when I would get my period or when I started to get a higher voice,” he said. “When I started growing breasts, I was just so upset and I didn't know why.”

Raddysh didn’t hear the term transgender until he was 15, but when he finally did, he said he instantly identified with it.

Coming out as a male presented its own set of problems, though. He suffered immense bullying, which led to depression.

Suicide rates higher among transgender youth

“I’ve tried to commit suicide at least three times. I’ve self-harmed,” said Raddysh.

His experience isn’t unique, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, which says 20 to 30 per cent of transgender youth have attempted suicide.

An Ontario study found 47 per cent of transgender youth reported seriously considering suicide.

Statistics such as those are part of what convinced psychiatrist Simon Trepel to start the GDAAY clinic in Winnipeg, to help children and young people diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

Raddysh credits the clinic with changing his life and helping him find the resources he needed.

“Once I figured out I could get more hormone replacement therapy and get surgeries to feel more like me, I changed as fast as I could,” explained Raddysh. “I would’ve been way depressed if they hadn’t helped me, and I’m very glad they have clinics like that.”

Limited access to youth and child-focused care

But access to the clinics is limited, as there are only five in Canada so far.

“This is still a fairly new issue in our world and North American society,” said Trepel. “Right now, the data shows, as a child expressing transgender identity, a majority won't go on to have transgender issues in adolescent and adult years, whereas teens presenting with transgender ideation often will.”

Trepel’s clinic currently treats children as young as four years old, and the therapies available to them depend on their age.

Currently, children as young as seven or eight years old can take hormones to block the physical changes of puberty, a therapy that is completely reversible.

By their early teens, they can opt for cross-hormone therapy, which is more difficult to reverse.

As for sex reassignment surgery, most will have to be at least 18 to obtain it.

Trepel said that options for youth are limited right now, but he expects that to change.

“It’s definitely not offered everywhere,” said Trepel. “It hasn’t attracted a lot of surgical specialists doing this kind of work, but as we’re going to see in the next five to 10 years, as this population becomes larger, there will be more options in Canada.”

Issue 'triggers powerful taboos,' says bioethicist.

University of Toronto bioethicist Kerry Bowman worries that some children are being asked to “pick a side” too early.

“I actually do think in many situations, young people have the right to make more medical choice than they’re given in society,” he said.

Bowman said he does believe children can understand and appreciate the implications of their decisions, “but it’s different in this domain. If young people are saying they want to transition, the question is, is that truly an autonomous, independent wish that’s reflective of their values, or are they internalizing a lot of very negative messages and stereotypes in society?”

Bowman added the issue has become highly charged “because it’s linked with sexuality and sex roles. It triggers powerful taboos in Western culture.”

Reassignment surgery

Plastic surgeons in most Canadian cities will perform “top body surgeries,” which include removing breasts.

As for "bottom surgeries," which involve altering the genitals, the Gender Variance Program at the Montreal Children’s Hospital refers adult patients to a gender surgery clinic that is run by Dr. Pierre Brassard — one of the only places in Canada where gender reassignment surgery occurs.

Now 18, Raddysh is hoping to have that surgery. He started testosterone treatments eight months ago and plans to have a double mastectomy next month.

“I really just want to get surgery over with, and I know I’ll feel a thousand times better after surgery,” he said.

“Younger children should know they have the option if they don’t feel like the gender they are — they can change that.”

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/transgender-children-in-canada-to-get-more-support-expert-says-1.2454481

Honestly, I think more of a concerted discussion needs to take place rather than politics driving medical policy (i.e. Oregon). I think for any semi-mature society, open discussion, even about taboo things, is ultimately more productive.

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According to a 2008 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, "most children with gender dysphoria will not remain gender dysphoric after puberty."

iirc this refers to very young individuals (think elementary school students) who express dysphoria--most often they end up being gay rather than trans. the study did not target an adolescent cohort but instead looked at a younger group and did follow-ups with their cases at later times.

here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18981931

i'm no psychologist, but i don't think this says anything for fifteen-year-olds who identify themselves as having gender discomforts

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If you are going to have a sex change it does typically go much better when you start at a younger age. Specifically before you hit puberty.

this is true of puberty blockers and hormone therapies, which are too restricted or difficult to obtain safely/legally in many places (BC even), especially for adolescents.

the surgery, which is what's being talked about, isn't necessarily on the same timer, although being on hormone therapies can affect one's lower parts in such a way that surgeries on it are less viable the longer one waits. at least that's my understanding.

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Couple things here...

Author spins this as being bad cause parents may have no knowledge. This is bull crap. The state requires 6 months of therapy before even considering hormone therapy or hormone blockers. blockers of which are what is typically prescribed to minors because they have absolutely NO permanent side effects. So if the kiddo changes their mind there is no problems... simply stop taking the blacker and everythign will catch up.

Genital surgery requires three letters of recommendation from three separate therapists as well as a notable amount of time on hormone therapy prior to being permitted to have anything done.

If parents dont notice 6+ months of therapy then hormone treatments im guessing there is tons of things their kids do that they know nothing about.

and yes, therapy and treatments work way better at a younger age.. but hormone blockers allow kids to achieve similar results in later transitions without having any permanent side effects while they figure it out.

If you guys have questions, PM me. Im open, honest and not easily offended. I feel like people have strong opinions about transsexualism but really have no idea what theyre even basing their opinions on.

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People and their own sexual orientation is nobody's business... but since they're still minors under the law, if the parents don't need to be consulted, I surely hope there's a panel of experts, doctors and psychological physicians who must green light this before it proceeds.

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I always wondered what made somebody decide to get a sex-change. Are they just born unhappy with their gender or is it a choice late in life? Why is somebody unhappy with their gender?

Still a weird thing to do in my eyes.

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I always wondered what made somebody decide to get a sex-change. Are they just born unhappy with their gender or is it a choice late in life? Why is somebody unhappy with their gender?

Still a weird thing to do in my eyes.

It comes out of a lack of identity (which explains why so many teenagers go through it) - if you don't stand for something, you might fall for anything, right? It usually enters into their system through an emotional wound.

The unfortunate part is that society tells them it's okay, and encourages them towards a decision that they should or shouldn't make, telling them they were born that way and that it's who they are with no real way out of it.

If anyone's questioning my reasoning, know because I went through this. Once I found my identity, then most of it fell away, and I realized what caused it. I still get attacked by thoughts now and again when I don't walk through life knowing who I am.

And it's weird for me, too. But hey, people are people no matter what they do or think and they still need to be shown love regardless.

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I dont mind the fat people want to change their bodies to fit into the gender they feel they are and I also don't care if they are doing it at 15.

My only concern (and we have the same problem here in BC) is that our tax dollars are going towards this. I don't feel this is something that money should be going towards.

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I dont mind the fat people want to change their bodies to fit into the gender they feel they are and I also don't care if they are doing it at 15.

My only concern (and we have the same problem here in BC) is that our tax dollars are going towards this. I don't feel this is something that money should be going towards.

I agree with this.

If the surgery isn't medically necessary to correct a medical ailment, then I would object to it being covered by a national healthcare program. Now, a sex change MAY be necessary in certain cases, but it's not universally true, and medical professionals would need to make that decision on a case by case basis.

If it's desired to improve a person's self-esteem, well-being, etc, I am all for it, but they should pay for it themselves.

Otherwise we would have obese people lining up for free stomach surgery, as it would also improve their overall wellbeing, physically and emotionally. The bill for that would be quite high.

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I agree with this.

If the surgery isn't medically necessary to correct a medical ailment, then I would object to it being covered by a national healthcare program. Now, a sex change MAY be necessary in certain cases, but it's not universally true, and medical professionals would need to make that decision on a case by case basis.

If it's desired to improve a person's self-esteem, well-being, etc, I am all for it, but they should pay for it themselves.

Otherwise we would have obese people lining up for free stomach surgery, as it would also improve their overall wellbeing, physically and emotionally. The bill for that would be quite high.

Our taxes for each province already goes to stomach surgeries.. lap band and um, that other one that I think Roseanne had (and beat :lol:) come to mind.

Edit: I think it's called gastric bypass.

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I agree with this.

If the surgery isn't medically necessary to correct a medical ailment, then I would object to it being covered by a national healthcare program. Now, a sex change MAY be necessary in certain cases, but it's not universally true, and medical professionals would need to make that decision on a case by case basis.

If it's desired to improve a person's self-esteem, well-being, etc, I am all for it, but they should pay for it themselves.

Otherwise we would have obese people lining up for free stomach surgery, as it would also improve their overall wellbeing, physically and emotionally. The bill for that would be quite high.

These surgeries are often essential and life-saving, and it would be incredibly difficult for a professional--or group of professionals--to make such a decision well enough even with a thorough reading of the person's medical and psychiatric literature imo. How would they come to it? What happens when a person does not get an affirmative assessment for the operation, is unable to fund it on their lonesome, and later offs themselves because taxpayers didn't want to expend finances to cover the procedure?

Beyond the life-saving piece, it can improve a person's day-to-day living significantly. It's a one-time expense, probably not as costly as one would expect, and helps the beneficiary for the rest of their natural life.

Obesity can be fixed by the person. All they need to do is adopt a proper diet. That is not, for most people who are obese, an unreasonable expectation; exercising isn't even necessary. One cannot invert/reconstruct their attachments with any amount of non-surgical efforts. Not to mention a majority of people who are in a position where they need to have these treatments might also be unable to pay for it themselves.

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These surgeries are often essential and life-saving, and it would be incredibly difficult for a professional--or group of professionals--to make such a decision well enough even with a thorough reading of the person's medical and psychiatric literature imo. How would they come to it? What happens when a person does not get an affirmative assessment for the operation, is unable to fund it on their lonesome, and later offs themselves because taxpayers didn't want to expend finances to cover the procedure?

Beyond the life-saving piece, it can improve a person's day-to-day living significantly. It's a one-time expense, probably not as costly as one would expect, and helps the beneficiary for the rest of their natural life.

Obesity can be fixed by the person. All they need to do is adopt a proper diet. That is not, for most people who are obese, an unreasonable expectation; exercising isn't even necessary. One cannot invert/reconstruct their attachments with any amount of non-surgical efforts. Not to mention a majority of people who are in a position where they need to have these treatments might also be unable to pay for it themselves.

Not to mention as far as I know also act as preventative care.

I read something like 75% of the people who get those stomach surgeries like lap band (which as far as I know isn't even remotely as invasive as others) wind up losing a truckload of weight in the first year, and those people who do get these surgeries are already either type 2 diabetic or high risk. This surgery basically wipes out their diabetes too, lessening the need for further treatments and complications surrounding diabetes.

Whereas in the US, iirc this surgery is considered cosmetic.

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