The Doctor Visit
Last week I had a routine doctor appointment. The physician was courteous, professional, thorough and seemed knowledgeable. But like the narrator in The Tell-Tale Heart, I could hardly listen to what she was saying because of the pins she was wearing - one a trans flag and the other, a pink and baby blue “trans rights are human rights” pin.
After the visit, I was asked to rate the practice and the physician. I gave every facet of the practice high marks - the office space, the nurse, the appointment process, etc. I gave the physician low marks and answered that I wouldn’t recommend her or use her again myself.
My comments in the post appointment survey: “When I visit a doctor I wish to avoid being exposed to ideology. I wouldn’t want to see a “Vote Republican” pin, for example. I also expect the doctor to be science-based. So, when I see a doctor wearing pins promoting trans ideology, I am being exposed to a non science-based ideology which is harmful to women and children. I suggest acquainting your staff with the Cass Review. And, for the record, I am a liberal leaning atheist.”
Also, for the record, I agree with her that “trans rights are human rights”. I support civil rights for everyone. But those rights do not include the right to police my speech, to access single sex spaces, and to advocate for the sterilization of gay children.
Is it too much to ask not to be exposed to this at a routine doctor appointment? I don’t expect the doctors in this practice will acquaint themselves with the Cass Review. I don’t think they will suggest this physician stop with the promotion of trans-ideology. I DO expect to get a response informing me they are dropping me as a patient. I guess I should consider myself lucky if that notification doesn’t include calling me a bigot, TERF, transphobe or, the ultimate insult for a middle-aged white woman who doesn’t agree, “Karen”.
My editor, also my husband, says I shouldn’t end on a negative note. So let me wish that this doctor will google the Cass Review and it will peak her interest. She will use her free time some weekend to review it thoroughly and become horrified at what is happening to children and young adults, as many other doctor’s have. She will share her concerns with the rest of her practice and they will educate any gender dysphoric patients about the true implications of cross-sex hormones.
And they won’t wear pins anymore.
I experienced a similar event when I had to switch to a new OB/GYN after my beloved doctor --the one who delivered my kids--retired. The new doctor, a woman, was wearing the same pins you mentioned, proudly displayed on her lapel. I decided to come right out and say, "I noticed the pins you are wearing," then proceeded to tell her I have a trans identified son who dismantled his life upon embracing that identity. Before she could stop me, I quickly went on to state that the phenomenon has exploded and new research suggests that medicalizing these kids and young adults is not helpful, and is, in fact detrimental. She floundered a bit to defend her pins, and boasted that she had a trans-identified young adult niece that she supported. When I asked if her niece was thriving, she admitted that the niece was not working, had mental health issues and had become quite obese. The look on her face told me that she may not have made the connection before (and, perhaps, did not want to). The conversation ended there, however, the pins were notably absent when I returned for my annual the following year. Bravo to you for confronting your doctor. It truly is the medical establishment who needs to wake up and sound the alarm. A political shift is not enough.
> Also, for the record, I agree with her that “trans rights are human rights”. I support civil rights for everyone.
This is where you're mistaken. "Trans rights" are not, and cannot be, civil rights or human rights, because human people exist but *trans people do not.* Not in the civil rights sense. Research shows this pretty abundantly: "trans" is a condition that afflicts some people, and a very transient one, (no pun intended,) rather than an immutable facet of someone's identity the way legitimate civil rights issues are.
To say "I support trans rights" makes exactly as much sense as saying "I support Ebola rights." Trans is a harmful, contagious disease that should be eradicated. The only difference is, Ebola doesn't have people in its corner lobbying in its favor.