Clementine Breen was 12, with a history of abuse and family violence, feeling depressed, seeking counseling. Saying she might be trans — or maybe lesbian or bi — “like I wasn’t really sure about my identity at all.”
That was enough for her seizure into the jaws of the trans-industrial complex. That is, the Center for Transyouth Health and Development at LA’s Children’s Hospital, run by Johanna Olson-Kennedy, a leader in the field.
Clementine’s resulting treatment included puberty blockers at 12, testosterone starting at 13, and — at 14 — a double mastectomy.
Her parents, expressing reservations, were told she’d otherwise kill herself. Falsely, it appears, based on Dr. Olson-Kennedy’s clinical notes, which also show scant consideration that Clementine might not really have gender dysphoria.
That’s the biological mismatch between brain and anatomy, making people feel they’re in the wrong body.* It tends to manifest quite early and strongly. Very different from teens just confused about their burgeoning sexuality — far more common. That should inspire caution in medical professionals before pushing irreversible gender change treatment. A model is a 2012 protocol published by Dutch clinicians stressing the importance of first conducting a careful in-depth assessment.
That clearly didn’t happen in Clementine’s case. Indeed, according to The Economist’s report on it, Dutch-like caution is not the American norm. Where instead, due to politicization, woe betide anyone daring to probe deeper any youngster’s suggestion of trans identity. The gender clinic in which Clementine found herself saw her as a hammer sees a nail. Complexities be damned.
Her treatment didn’t help her mental state, and she eventually called a halt. She’s finally feeling better. Though of course her body’s been irrevocably altered (maybe infertile due to the hormones). Now 20, she’s suing for medical malpractice.
Trans activists insist such cases of transitioning regret are rare. But the fact is we don’t really know, because they’re not tracked. Lawsuits like Clementine’s are indeed rare, because they themselves add to one’s trauma, and are often barred by statutes of limitation. Clementine managed to see her situation clearly and early enough to get her lawsuit in under the wire.
Double mastectomy at 14! As if a self-professedly confused girl at such an age can make a sound decision.
Scandalous enough. But also tragically playing into the hands of Republicans cynically scaremongering the whole issue. Like with the recent ridiculous Congressional bathroom blow-up. And disgracefully telling people their child may come home from school one day a different gender. Clementine’s unfortunate story gives them ammunition to ramp up their demonization of the whole transgender phenomenon.
Trans people are human beings whose situation is not a choice, but difficult, deserving of sympathy and support. The hostility they often get instead compounds their trauma. Worse yet when their own advocates behave in ways sure to backfire. Demonization going both ways.
Gender dysphoria is a real thing, not people perversely or on whim suddenly deciding they’re a different sex. True gender dysphoria cases need medical help, which Republicans are trying to deny across the board. It doesn’t help when overzealous treatment is meted out to people like Clementine for whom it is a curse rather than a blessing.
Double mastectomy at 14!
That same issue of The Economist had a letter to the editor about their review of a Jordan Peterson book. A wickedly delicious review. It noted a move to revoke Peterson’s university tenure “in part because he objected to being required by law to use gender neutral pronouns.” Yet, the letter maintains, the issue isn’t pronouns per se but, rather, should people’s grammar be regulated by official edict?
The pronoun fetishization is part of an effort to impose an ideology, and shut down dissent, debate, or discussion. This too reflects trans activist extremism, antagonizing normal people. They’re their own worst enemies.
* Strangely, a similar past blog assertion of mine provoked a flood of nastiness from trans activists denying such biological determinism. As if trans-haters are actually right to see just some psychological weirdness.
