Last week, a children’s book reading commemorating the Transgender Day of Remembrance in a Denton, Texas, library was canceled due to safety concerns following public backlash. In response, the mother of a trans-identified child organized a “transgender story time” at a new location, with hundreds of people reportedly in attendance.
While seeming benign due to their celebratory nature, these types of “inclusive” events are not innocuous. All of the research literature shows that the majority of gender dysphoric children will outgrow their dysphoria by puberty. Because gender has become a fashionable accessory, children quickly learn that deciding to identify as anything but their birth sex will increase their popularity and foster adults’ attention and adulation.
I do believe adults with gender dysphoria should be supported in transitioning, because they possess the cognitive maturity to make life-altering decisions. Children who are struggling with their gender identity similarly deserve love and support. They should be allowed to dress how they’d like and play with their preferred toys; however, this doesn’t necessitate a social transition, or embracing a political agenda that has no interest in their well-being.
Many well-meaning parents erroneously believe that celebrating the so-called transgender child is the kind and ethical thing to do. Activists, many of whom are not transgender, have cleverly tricked parents into doing the heavy lifting for them. It is akin to the way suicide statistics have been used to manipulate caregivers into allowing a child to transition, when these numbers pertain to adults experiencing gender dysphoria, and have little relevance to children.
There will surely be more gender identity-themed events in the future, and as satisfying as dissenters may find it to shut these events down successfully, I would argue that doing so is counterproductive.
As is commonly seen when opinions are censored and speakers are deplatformed, the Streisand effect brings about greater interest, support, and sympathy. In the case of gender activism, an additional, unpleasant side effect is that individuals feel even more self-righteous and justified in persisting with this nonsense.
A more effective approach would be to speak openly about why these beliefs are harmful so that more parents become aware that these nice-sounding ideas lack any basis in science or reality. Actively challenge the folks you know who senselessly repeat talking points such as “trans kids know their authentic selves” so that they are unable to defend their vacant sense of moral superiority.
Dr. Debra Soh is a sex neuroscientist, the host of The Dr. Debra Soh Podcast, and the author of The End of Gender: Debunking the Myths About Sex and Identity in Our Society.
