Laura Edwards-Lieper

In 2021, they published an essay in the Washington Post called The Mental Health Establishment is Failing Trans Kids. And in it, they said that providers were increasingly engaging in, quote, sloppy, dangerous care. They called out doctors by name, including Joe, who they noted prescribed hormones to children as young as 12.

In 2021, they published an essay in the Washington Post called The Mental Health Establishment is Failing Trans Kids. And in it, they said that providers were increasingly engaging in, quote, sloppy, dangerous care. They called out doctors by name, including Joe, who they noted prescribed hormones to children as young as 12.

They said that in advocating for a model that followed the child's lead and that believed if a child said they were trans, they were, some doctors had, quote, confessed to ignoring the standards of care. They said, quote, none of this means that we shouldn't be listening to the views of gender diverse teens. It only means that we should listen in the fullest and most probing way possible.

They said that in advocating for a model that followed the child's lead and that believed if a child said they were trans, they were, some doctors had, quote, confessed to ignoring the standards of care. They said, quote, none of this means that we shouldn't be listening to the views of gender diverse teens. It only means that we should listen in the fullest and most probing way possible.

And they ended by calling out advocacy organizations and medical providers for what they said was silencing people who expressed regret about transitioning and sabotaging open dialogue in the field. In the aftermath of the Post essay, the American branch of WPATH issued a temporary moratorium on its members speaking to the press. And Erica resigned from her position as the head of the group.

And they ended by calling out advocacy organizations and medical providers for what they said was silencing people who expressed regret about transitioning and sabotaging open dialogue in the field. In the aftermath of the Post essay, the American branch of WPATH issued a temporary moratorium on its members speaking to the press. And Erica resigned from her position as the head of the group.

Laura said she had received emails from many health care providers privately telling her that they agreed with her.

Laura said she had received emails from many health care providers privately telling her that they agreed with her.

but they were afraid to speak publicly about their concerns.

but they were afraid to speak publicly about their concerns.

Laura thinks while some of the reluctance to speak up was because of the pressure from groups like WPATH, she also thinks some of it was self-censorship because something else was happening around this time.

Laura thinks while some of the reluctance to speak up was because of the pressure from groups like WPATH, she also thinks some of it was self-censorship because something else was happening around this time.

This was when political opposition was intensifying in red states around the country. In the months before Lara published her essay, there was growing momentum for restricting or banning this care for kids. And state lawmakers were citing sloppy care and kids regretting their transitions as part of their justification.

This was when political opposition was intensifying in red states around the country. In the months before Lara published her essay, there was growing momentum for restricting or banning this care for kids. And state lawmakers were citing sloppy care and kids regretting their transitions as part of their justification.

So fear was growing in the medical community about the consequences of voicing any questions or concerns.

So fear was growing in the medical community about the consequences of voicing any questions or concerns.

In 2022, more bills targeting gender-affirming care for young people were introduced in state houses across the country. And then, in 2023, there was a legislative onslaught. Over 100 bills were introduced. And right as legislative sessions were getting underway, another person from the medical world did speak out. Somebody who had similar concerns to Laura about the way care was being provided.

In 2022, more bills targeting gender-affirming care for young people were introduced in state houses across the country. And then, in 2023, there was a legislative onslaught. Over 100 bills were introduced. And right as legislative sessions were getting underway, another person from the medical world did speak out. Somebody who had similar concerns to Laura about the way care was being provided.

Reid said the center pushed children into puberty blockers and hormone therapies without proper mental health assessment. But who did not share her belief that the government should stay out of it.

Reid said the center pushed children into puberty blockers and hormone therapies without proper mental health assessment. But who did not share her belief that the government should stay out of it.