I'm going to post a series of reports about the recent WPATH conference that I was fortunate to attend. It was in Bangkok Feb 14-18 and had over 600 delegates worldwide.
I'm posting in the transgender open area as I feel the topics are of wide interest.
I'm a little wary as the conference was a place for experts in their fields to present, my caution is that not all people who access boards such as Susan's regard experts as relevant; particularly if the experts opinion differ from their own.
I'm a professional scientist, as are others here, and feel very comfortable in listening to experts and am capable of making informed decision. I do not mean that rudely to anyone.
Gender Incongruent children are not a new phenomena. Hell I was one. The treatment was beat the crap out of me and make me a man. It failed. My parents loved me but they did not know what to do.
What are the problems?
'Psychosexual Development of Gender Variant Children'
There were several symposia on treating children that I will try to summarise. This is a big problem area. Why?
No one wants to hurt children and we need to identify those who are going to need intervention and those who do not. Sounds easy? It ain't.
One concept I liked was the persister and desister model. Most of the work was on young children (5-7yrs old presenting), the families were often supporting but very confused and the GV child was often very disruptive in the family situation, leading to family breakdown and behavioural problems for the child. Bullying and lack of acceptance at school and socially was a problem for the child. This was magnified by family disruption.
Pesisters were kids who continually presented as their none natal gender, but desisters changed their orientation at about 9-11 years of age, at puberty onset. How do you tell the difference and why is it important?
The importance is that we will give GnRha to kids who will suffer physical effects of going through natal gender puberty. But if you give these to kids who change their minds you restrict their social group growth. It has to be a balance. How do you make the decision? It is a big problem.
Gender fluid kids are increasing in presentation, as are all GV people. How do you treat them?
There are no easy answers.
If a child is 'truly' GV when do you give HRT? He/She may be well socialized as their preferred gender. If you delay HRT they will not physically develop as their peers do at their age. This leads to further problems. If you mess it up you have ruined their adult expectation of life.
How do you treat GV kids?
