Comments on: Gender Dysphoria: A Mother’s Tale

by: Jo

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:26:32 +0000

The first thing I will say is. That is a true loving mother. I wa so moved by this interview, and I’ve so much, so so much respect for Susie, and admiration for what she has done for her daughter. I agree she has saved her life. Susie basically described a lot of my childhood, I could relate to a lot of stuff, like always wanted to wear the girls stuff and being a female character etc, also the bit where she talked about how puberty is for gender dysphoric children I coudl strongly relate to. For me puberty kind of confirmed to me that I really was a girl, sadly I did not come out to my famiyl and even speak of my gender dypshoria until earlier on this year when I was 17, I’m 18 now, and of course I have been made to go through a male puberty fully, and I can totalyl relate to what Stephanie has written above. Once testosterone and a masculine puberty has done its job then, giving female hormone treatment after this , the feminising effects are pretty minimal. It cannot undo what the first puberty has done, my voice has broken, a hell of a lot, and that was the worst thing for me as I am a signer and my voice was everything to me, and now Ive just got this mans voice and its sh*t to be honest. I am totally with Susie, when she says that the way that the Tavistock and Portman will not even give FULLY REVERSIBLE hormone blockers to children until their 16. Like she said, puberty has bascially finished then, well for me it had done anyway. It IS ridiculous, I mean what harm is it going to do if its fully reversible, all its doing is delaying the age at which an irreversible puberty will occur, so if some do change their mind then it can be reversed completely. It makes me sad that my parents were not nowhere near as supportive as Susie was with young Lauren. I come from an asian background so culutural thing might have caused lack of empathy. Of course my parents loved me, but I was always forced to be a boy. My Dad actually used to get angry with me when I played with barbie dolls, at my aunts house, my aunt didnt even care thogh! She just used to let me be happy! I loved going roudn there, being able to do what I want, I mean she didnt let me wear dresses or anything, but you know I feel If she was my mother then I would have maybe told her at an earlier age and could have maybe got the help that Lauren got. My doctor is pretty useles she knows not a thinga bout this. But I want to actually work with young transgendered children when I’m older so I can help other children get the right treatment for them so they don’t have to go through what I’ve been through like many other transwomen have done. Lastly, I just want to say for Susie and Lauren that I’m sooo happy for you both and that Lauren is such a lucky girl to have such a brilliant mother like Susie, and I wish them both all the best in the future! X

by: Stephanie Butterfield

Mon, 26 May 2008 09:08:54 +0000

I cried buckets all the way through this, as I am the epitamy of what she said happens to a transsexual girl if this treatment isn’t allowed to go ahead.

I am now 44, despite now being in my16th month of HRT, the feminising effects are minimal. This has caused me to be the constant victim of hate crime and discrimination, and as I don’t have access to private funds to afford plastic surgery either, life looks bleak.

I hope the tavistock clinic changes its policy, so more kids with gender identity issues are treated with humanity and care

I hope also that Lauren has a bright future as the girl she has always identified herself as and she gets her GCSE’s.

Steph

by: Edeyn Hannah Blackeney

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:44:24 +0000

Wonderful interview. Shows a loving and supportive mother bravely doing what is best for her equally brave daughter.

by: Di

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:32:35 +0000

thanks to both of you for this very useful interview.

by: Kate

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:18:30 +0000

What a wonderful mom Susie! You have done an amazing job of sticking by your child and supporting her through a very unusual childhood.

by: Tia

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:22:35 +0000

Susie your a great person, if only there were others who were as supportive as you. All the best for you and your daughter.xx

by: Stacey

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:13:12 +0000

Very nicely done. Thank you for sharing your story!

by: Kim Pearson

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 21:15:45 +0000

Kudos to Susie for her support of her child and for educating others!

Kim Pearson Executive Director TransYouth Family Allies kimp@imatyfa.org www.imatyfa.org