Just incredible the way all these organisations, even those, like the Auckland Women's Centre, with such solid feminist credentials, fell so totally for the GAC model that simply accepted a whole generation of children suddenly saying they are the other sex, or no sex, while aggressively shaming and shutting down the bravest members, like Ann, who speak up for women, children, good health practice and common sense. I'm not feeling hopeful today. Their cunning and total failure to actually care about what happens to children or women, is their strength over those that do care, and they may yet prevail against all the good will and tireless (actually quite tiring) work of the fighting women (and men). 'Falsehoods fly and the truth comes limping after it' (Swift 1760). Same as it ever was, I guess. But brava to Ann and to you for sharing her valiant fight for some of the most vulnerable children and our collective sanity and strength as a people.
Thank you. Like you, I'm aghast the the organisations that fell for this twaddle. I saw somewhere online that a new book is out called Sex Is A Spectrum by Augustin Fuentes. I read a review and it appeared the author used complicated science to make this claim. This manufactured confusion probably works on many people like me without science credentials. On the other hand I do know the basics of reproduction and for that there are only two sexes.
As the author of 'The Fatter Sex' (2024) I wholeheartedly reject Augustin's sex 'spectrum'. The sex binary is not only real, but appreciating its reality and its language is absolutely vital to our ability as feminists to understand and discuss the way the patriarchy works so to destroy it. Ultimately, this TQ movement has all been to weaken boundaries for sex, women's and girls' boundaries mostly. If only my daughter, a fierce trans ally, last we heard from her on that, which was some years ago now, knew this. She's almost 30. It's so sad that her feminism bent this way, as she was a keen young teen and early-20s feminist, joining Youth Labour and coming to meetings with me. But then I became a public Terf and she 'unfriended' me - again. Though it was not the only conflict between us, it was perhaps the final straw for her.
Nothing pains me more than reading or listening to stories of parental estrangement as a result of this buggers’ muddle. Psychic agony on so many levels. It’s beyond cruel. The most moving one was an American woman who lost two children to the cult I listened to this week. After years of campaigning and hoping, she’s now practicing radical acceptance. What else can you do? She calls it’s an ice pack for the soul. Take care.
Thank you for blowing the whistle, Ann, and for publicising this dereliction of duty, Yvonne. We are up against very strong forces bolstered by plenty of money and a righteous attitude that will not allow any dissent.
SOrry to read of this. We have daughters & I suspect they 'hush their wheest' about this to an extent, not wanting to be combative or sully our good relations.
If one of my children were gender confused, I would not know where to find a counsellor under the current climate. Unless the association is directed to change its guidelines, I don’t have any faith that my child wouldn’t be led straight towards hormones. It’s also so sad that “no debate” still holds despite many developments abroad. Our very biased media doesn’t help things.
Note that in the UK all children presenting with gender dysphoria are now automatically assessed for autism. And that, despite cross sex hormones still being available, no adolescents in the NHS have been assessed as needing them in the last 12 months.
So what we have here is a professional body that incurious as to the benefits of gender affirming care and is immune to the November 2024 advice from the Ministry of Health that the starting point for work with children and young people with gender issues is 'In their assessment, clinicians need to consider the possible presence of other associated conditions." and also that "Clinicians should take a holistic approach and undertake a comprehensive assessment in the provision of gender-affirming care." It's quite clear that the officials and facebook admins are determined not to take this guidance to heart. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2024-11/Position_Statement_on_the_Use_of_Puberty_Blockers.pdf
I find this very worrying and its very personal to me. Privileged professionals with a saviour complex playing a part in making sure that vulnerable gender non-conforming kids, proto-gay kids become permanent patients, hiding in the body of someone they are not.
As someone who worked in mental health for more then 20 years, leaving just before this nonsense kicked off, this makes me feels very sad. It is exactly what I thought was probably happening, and it does us (mental health professionals) no credit whatsoever. These people should know better, and if they don't know better, they have no business working with vulnerable people (ie their clients). It really is a damning indictment.
Many thanks for a powerful article Yvonne. I hope Anne feels a lot better knowing people have read of her courage. Ironic that pointing out the truth should require so much of it. The man on the left of Doyle in the photo is Asst Prof Clive Aspin. I wrote to him about Doyle awarding himself a PhD alongside his other interests/proclivities on his Instagram page - part of the descriptions he has since taken down. Clearly he does not have the courage of his convictions! Never did hear back from Aspin.
Bravo to Ann and her colleague indeed. What upside-down inside-out (no pun intended) world are we living in where mental health professionals immediately and unquestioningly agree with their clients that their self diagnosis and self-assessments are correct. As Dr David Bell said, your client walks in the room sits down, says “my husband’s an absolute a#hole, I’m perfect, I’m going to divorce him, what do you think?” - and the Dr. says “you know what you’re absolutely right, I support you 100% - go ahead” That’s not psychology. And thanks for another great read Yvonne 🙏
have you ever seen the excellent meme cartoon called 'my fellow liberal'? It's very accurately describes the disordering of political norms in the last 5-10 years. For example, lesbians being kicked out of Pride, and the left now calling things like parental rights, free speech, bodily autonomy and women's rights conservative positions. You can see it here: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/my-fellow-liberal
TVNZ news in depth. Here we go again. Onslow college pushing the agendahttps://www.tvnz.co.nz/news/news-clips-str-2x4v3si1qi8hfyaouw4dbf3iz71-1747261313715/learning-about-gender-is-it-appropriate-for-school-students-in-depth
Just incredible the way all these organisations, even those, like the Auckland Women's Centre, with such solid feminist credentials, fell so totally for the GAC model that simply accepted a whole generation of children suddenly saying they are the other sex, or no sex, while aggressively shaming and shutting down the bravest members, like Ann, who speak up for women, children, good health practice and common sense. I'm not feeling hopeful today. Their cunning and total failure to actually care about what happens to children or women, is their strength over those that do care, and they may yet prevail against all the good will and tireless (actually quite tiring) work of the fighting women (and men). 'Falsehoods fly and the truth comes limping after it' (Swift 1760). Same as it ever was, I guess. But brava to Ann and to you for sharing her valiant fight for some of the most vulnerable children and our collective sanity and strength as a people.
Thank you. Like you, I'm aghast the the organisations that fell for this twaddle. I saw somewhere online that a new book is out called Sex Is A Spectrum by Augustin Fuentes. I read a review and it appeared the author used complicated science to make this claim. This manufactured confusion probably works on many people like me without science credentials. On the other hand I do know the basics of reproduction and for that there are only two sexes.
As the author of 'The Fatter Sex' (2024) I wholeheartedly reject Augustin's sex 'spectrum'. The sex binary is not only real, but appreciating its reality and its language is absolutely vital to our ability as feminists to understand and discuss the way the patriarchy works so to destroy it. Ultimately, this TQ movement has all been to weaken boundaries for sex, women's and girls' boundaries mostly. If only my daughter, a fierce trans ally, last we heard from her on that, which was some years ago now, knew this. She's almost 30. It's so sad that her feminism bent this way, as she was a keen young teen and early-20s feminist, joining Youth Labour and coming to meetings with me. But then I became a public Terf and she 'unfriended' me - again. Though it was not the only conflict between us, it was perhaps the final straw for her.
Nothing pains me more than reading or listening to stories of parental estrangement as a result of this buggers’ muddle. Psychic agony on so many levels. It’s beyond cruel. The most moving one was an American woman who lost two children to the cult I listened to this week. After years of campaigning and hoping, she’s now practicing radical acceptance. What else can you do? She calls it’s an ice pack for the soul. Take care.
Thank you Yvonne. Your solidarity is much appreciated.
Take heart from the Supreme Court, Terven.
Holyrood's toilets are now single sex again - revenge is sweet
https://dustymasterson.substack.com/p/chariots-of-fire-the-courtyard-race
Dusty
Thank you for blowing the whistle, Ann, and for publicising this dereliction of duty, Yvonne. We are up against very strong forces bolstered by plenty of money and a righteous attitude that will not allow any dissent.
SOrry to read of this. We have daughters & I suspect they 'hush their wheest' about this to an extent, not wanting to be combative or sully our good relations.
If one of my children were gender confused, I would not know where to find a counsellor under the current climate. Unless the association is directed to change its guidelines, I don’t have any faith that my child wouldn’t be led straight towards hormones. It’s also so sad that “no debate” still holds despite many developments abroad. Our very biased media doesn’t help things.
Agree. The role of the media in this mess can't be over-stated enough. As a pillar of democracy, they've let us all down.
Staggering amount of ignorant behaviour from the FB moderators and members, under the guise of being righteous.
Note that in the UK all children presenting with gender dysphoria are now automatically assessed for autism. And that, despite cross sex hormones still being available, no adolescents in the NHS have been assessed as needing them in the last 12 months.
Gosh that’s an interesting fact. That’s what we need- an entire rethink on this issue.
Jan Rivers can fill you in on the details.
So what we have here is a professional body that incurious as to the benefits of gender affirming care and is immune to the November 2024 advice from the Ministry of Health that the starting point for work with children and young people with gender issues is 'In their assessment, clinicians need to consider the possible presence of other associated conditions." and also that "Clinicians should take a holistic approach and undertake a comprehensive assessment in the provision of gender-affirming care." It's quite clear that the officials and facebook admins are determined not to take this guidance to heart. https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2024-11/Position_Statement_on_the_Use_of_Puberty_Blockers.pdf
I find this very worrying and its very personal to me. Privileged professionals with a saviour complex playing a part in making sure that vulnerable gender non-conforming kids, proto-gay kids become permanent patients, hiding in the body of someone they are not.
Bloody well done for speaking out about this Ann, thank you.
As someone who worked in mental health for more then 20 years, leaving just before this nonsense kicked off, this makes me feels very sad. It is exactly what I thought was probably happening, and it does us (mental health professionals) no credit whatsoever. These people should know better, and if they don't know better, they have no business working with vulnerable people (ie their clients). It really is a damning indictment.
Many thanks for a powerful article Yvonne. I hope Anne feels a lot better knowing people have read of her courage. Ironic that pointing out the truth should require so much of it. The man on the left of Doyle in the photo is Asst Prof Clive Aspin. I wrote to him about Doyle awarding himself a PhD alongside his other interests/proclivities on his Instagram page - part of the descriptions he has since taken down. Clearly he does not have the courage of his convictions! Never did hear back from Aspin.
Bravo to Ann and her colleague indeed. What upside-down inside-out (no pun intended) world are we living in where mental health professionals immediately and unquestioningly agree with their clients that their self diagnosis and self-assessments are correct. As Dr David Bell said, your client walks in the room sits down, says “my husband’s an absolute a#hole, I’m perfect, I’m going to divorce him, what do you think?” - and the Dr. says “you know what you’re absolutely right, I support you 100% - go ahead” That’s not psychology. And thanks for another great read Yvonne 🙏
have you ever seen the excellent meme cartoon called 'my fellow liberal'? It's very accurately describes the disordering of political norms in the last 5-10 years. For example, lesbians being kicked out of Pride, and the left now calling things like parental rights, free speech, bodily autonomy and women's rights conservative positions. You can see it here: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/my-fellow-liberal
Great report, Yvonne and well done, Ann Elborn.
Have cross posted.
https://dustymasterson.substack.com/p/chariots-of-fire-the-courtyard-race
Dusty
TVNZ news in depth. Here we go again. Onslow college pushing the agendahttps://www.tvnz.co.nz/news/news-clips-str-2x4v3si1qi8hfyaouw4dbf3iz71-1747261313715/learning-about-gender-is-it-appropriate-for-school-students-in-depth