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| Are You a Boy, or Are You a Girl? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 25 2008, 12:29 PM (201 Views) | |
| George K | May 25 2008, 12:29 PM Post #1 |
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Finally
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Sex Swap Approved for Girl, 12. A JUDGE has allowed a 12-year-old Victorian girl to start a taxpayer-funded sex swap, despite objections from the child's father. The girl has begun court-approved hormone treatment in the first step toward a complete gender switch. The Family Court orders also permit the girl, who cannot be named, to apply for a new birth certificate, passport and Medicare card in a boy's name. The application to allow the hormone treatment was lodged by the girl's mother. A state government observer, an endocrinologist, a psychiatrist, a family counsellor and a lawyer acting on the child's behalf all supported the plan. Only her father, who lives interstate, opposed the proposed sex change, though he did not attend the final court hearing and could not afford to send a lawyer on his behalf. The court was told he could not accept that his daughter had always seen herself as a boy and considered her too young to make such a decision. The mother expressed sadness and deep concern for her daughter, but said she would stand by the girl. The child's lawyer told the court she considered the girl capable of making an informed decision. The girl is one of the youngest patients in Australia granted permission to begin a sex swap. The court was told early intervention was needed because the child was stressed and anxious at the prospect of starting her period and had threatened self-harm. Hormones implanted under her skin every three months will stop her menstruating and prevent her hips and breasts growing. The court heard the hormone therapy was reversible and would give the family "breathing time". A further court application must be lodged in coming years for testosterone treatment to deepen her voice and promote growth of facial hair and muscles. Surgery to remove her womb or ovaries, or build an artificial penis must wait until she is at least 18. Details of the case came to light in a Family Court judgment issued this month. The hearing was held in December, behind closed doors. The case was heard over two days. The next day the judge issued orders approving the treatment. "The expert evidence made it clear that if I determined to make an order for the treatment, I should do so with expedition," the newly released judgment said. News of the judge's decision yesterday ignited debate among medical ethicists and child-health experts. Medical ethicist Dr Nicholas Tonti-Filippini said the decision was astounding. "I fail to see how it can be in the interests of a young girl to undergo treatment that will change her for the rest of her life," he said. "Twelve is a time of great uncertainty for a young person . . . I would question whether the medical evidence supports treating (her) in this way." Australian Childhood Foundation chief executive Dr Joe Tucci, a psychologist, said the issue was complex. "But I would have thought that waiting until the child is older is a more prudent course of action," he said. "Kids can change their minds. Things that seem set in stone when they are 12 will seem very different when they are 18 or 1 |
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A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
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| The 89th Key | May 25 2008, 01:30 PM Post #2 |
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First of all, it looks like Kenny wrote this (sentence per line). Secondly...unless I am mistaken, she'll always be a female no matter how much she tries to become male. She might have the parts, the look, and hormones of a male after much effort...but she'll still have the genetics of being female, correct? (Unless there is an androgynous set up without any clear genetic gender identity) Finally, regardless...it seems 12 years old is far too young to make a decision like this, but whatever...the world is full of odd and/or unfortunate situations. Might as well not worry about them. |
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| Bernard | May 25 2008, 04:23 PM Post #3 |
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Senior Carp
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It seems shocking because it's so unheard of at that age. I can only think it best that these decisions be made by the people at hand. Too complex to think that we, half way around the world from her, would be able to guess what's best. The title of this thread reminds me of David Bowie. Great song.... Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo Doo doo doo-doo doo doo doo doo Youve got your mother in a whirl Shes not sure if youre a boy or a girl Hey babe, your hairs alright Hey babe, lets go out tonight You like me, and I like it all We like dancing and we look divine You love bands when they're playing hard You want more and you want it fast They put you down, they say I'm wrong You tacky thing, you put them on Rebel rebel, you've torn your dress Rebel rebel, your face is a mess Rebel rebel, how could they know? Hot tramp, I love you so! |
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11:30 AM Jul 11