(Devon’s Response to Dr. McHugh’s WSJ article on Transgender surgery)
http://www.wsj.com/articles/paul-mchugh-transgender-surgery-isnt-the-solution-1402615120
In a recent article published in The Wall Street Journal, Dr. Paul McHugh (American Psychiatrist, Researcher, Educator and formerly Chair of Johns Hopkins Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences) presents his perspective on transgender surgery, arguing that it is not the solution to the challenges faced by individuals experiencing gender dysphoria. As someone who has worked directly alongside Dr. McHugh for many years, I unequivocally endorse his concerns and assumptions about the growing trend towards accepting and normalizing gender-affirming surgeries especially when hardworking taxpayers are forced to flip the bill. In this response, I aim to address some of the key points raised by Dr. McHugh and provide additional insights into the complex issues surrounding transgender identity and medical intervention.
First and foremost, it is essential to recognize Dr. McHugh’s expertise and contributions to the field of psychiatry. His logical approach and commitment to evidence-based medicine have earned him respect and admiration from colleagues and peers alike.
Dr. McHugh rightly emphasizes the distinction between fantasy and reality, asserting that healthcare providers have a moral obligation to prioritize evidence-based treatments over subjective desires. This is a fundamental principle of medical ethics, rooted in the Hippocratic Oath to do no harm. For some, it could be true that the experience of gender dysphoria is simply not a matter of whims or desires but a deeply felt sense of incongruence between one’s assigned sex at birth and one’s internal sense of gender identity but health care providers and physicians have a moral obligation to help their patients understand that we simply cannot bow to every whim and whimper of their desires i.e. meddling with their body parts, etc. The plain truth is that our biological makeup just is but sadly enough we are becoming a crazy “everything goes society” by the leftist agenda. Just because a male might feel like he wants to be in a female’s body or vice-versa a female to a male for that matter, we should not be performing surgeries that borders on moral questions or logic. Fake hair, hormonally charged breasts, vocal change, floral dresses or high heels does not make you a woman when you have a penis to prove otherwise. This author finds sex change operations particularly troubling for psychiatrists and mental health therapists who say it’s OK. If we do, we are merely adding to the maze of confusion in patients who already struggle with identity problems or emotional psychopathology. Allied health professionals agree that delusions and other types of false perceptions can be the core symptoms of men and women who end up in psychiatric emergency rooms or mental institutions and that their delusions can be fixed (very compelling to them) and not real. To say it’s Ok to change our body parts or be someone you’re clearly not because we “feel” it’s okay doesn’t make sense and the sooner we get back to practicing moral medicine it will help to set society straight and rid ourselves of today’s mad views and practices.
The case that is being made is that biological sex is immutable and that gender identity is a complex and multifaceted aspect of human experience, that research in neuroscience and psychology has demonstrated that gender identity is not solely determined by physical anatomy, but also influenced by genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors; therefore, dismissing transgender individuals’ experiences as mere delusions overlooks the lived reality of their struggles and the genuine distress caused by gender dysphoria. We could also say that contrary to popular misconceptions, transgender surgeries are not undertaken lightly or without careful consideration by healthcare professionals. This involves extensive psychological evaluations, hormone therapy, and counseling to ensure that individuals are well-informed and mentally prepared for the physical and emotional changes associated with transition even though twelve and fifteen year olds are bordering on even more serious problems. I’m pretty sure I will post a future blog on black males in particular who are feminizing their boys and then you wonder why the poor kids are confused and isolated, and why our poor black girls cannot find a REAL man to marry. Regardless of how we spin it, the issue at hand still does not make sense. You are who you are and that’s it! This writer believes that transgender identities are inherently abnormal or deviant and that there is a much deeper issue going on inside. Yes, gender diversity has been documented across cultures and throughout history, challenging the simplistic binary understanding of sex and gender but the case of Bruce Jenner (not Caitlyn – the man has children for God’s sake proving he’s a man who produced sperm) , who publicly came out as transgender and underwent gender-affirming surgery, has sparked widespread debate and scrutiny. I believe Mr. Jenner has deep-seated psychological conditions that may have been overlooked throughout the process simply to please, cave in, push the narrative, and indoctrinate our most vulnerable – our children. While Mr. Jenner’s journey may be perplexing and rather odd to some (including myself particularly after he received the courage award), it is proper to respect his autonomy and lived experience and regardless of our system of belief, culture, and worldview, we should strive to create a society that promotes understanding, acceptance and inclusion for all individuals, regardless of gender identity or expression.
In conclusion, I again laud and commend Dr. Paul McHugh’s bravery to write his op-ed in a charismatic and frank manner yet still believing it is essential to approach this incredibly complex and thought-provoking issue with compassion, empathy, and an understanding.