Sasha and Stella discuss the current cultural impulse that suggests affirming “trans” identity is the same as affirming gay sexual orientation in young people - are these two declarations really as parallel as the social justice narrative claims them to be? Sasha and Stella emphasize the importance of not conflating the two and explore how society's response to a child's gender identity should differ from declarations about sexual orientation. This discussion provides valuable perspectives on the nuanced relationship between gender identity, sexuality, and the importance of careful consideration when affirming a child's self-defined gender .
Stella draws from her own personal experiences with gender dysphoria while growing up, and Sasha chimes in, offering expert insights from individual therapy with gender-distressed youth. This conversation sheds light on the challenges faced by young people navigating multiple aspects of their identity development.
They stress the importance of listening deeply and compassionately to young people’s distress while carefully navigating the fine line between affirmation and genuine understanding so that children can feel truly heard and supported, rather than superficially being “agreed with.” This thought-provoking conversation highlights the nuances of gender identity and ways it may differ from sexual orientation while also considering the long-term consequences of medical interventions, challenging the affirmation-only narrative, and encouraging a more thoughtful and reflective approach to supporting trans-identified kids.
Links:
Order Our Book – When Kids Say They’re Trans: A Guide for Thoughtful Parents
https://whenkidssaytheyretrans.com/
Join Our Listener Community to Access Exclusive Bonus Content
https://www.patreon.com/WiderLensPod
Trans Kids: It's Time to Talk
http://www.stellaomalley.com/trans-kids-time-to-talk
Affirmation Therapy: Necessary, But Not Sufficient
https://youtu.be/WxRJQ_FI70c?feature=shared
Helena Part 1: Social Justice, Fandoms & FtM Gay Boys
Helena Part II: Advice for Parents from a Former Trans Kid
One Detrans Voice: A Conversation with Carol
https://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/15-one-detrans-voice-a-conversation-with-carol
Facing Futility: You Can’t Actually Change Sex, with Corinna Cohn
https://youtu.be/-nSUAqdT0fw?si=cSC0slo2-4m_PI1C
Explore Gender Identity Development Resources
Connect & Learn
https://www.genderexploratory.com/
If you liked this episode, more episodes you might find interesting:
Episode 1 - Trans: Identity vs Dysphoria
https://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/trans-identity-vs-dysphoria
Episode 4 - Why Do People Seek a New Identity?
https://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/why-do-people-seek-a-new-identity
Episode 7 - Collective Collusion
https://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/7-collective-collusion
Episode 78 — Affirming Reality for Kids with Stephanie Davies-Arai
Episode 103 — Follow the Gender-brick Road: from Bi to Pan to Trans
Episode 110 — Pathologizing Normal: The Lure of Identity Labels & Diagnoses
Please visit www.widerlenspod.com to explore more content, access additional resources, or to join our listener community.
Watch us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@widerlenspod
For more information about Sasha’s & Stella’s parent coaching membership groups:
Sasha Ayad: https://inspiredteentherapy.com/parents-start-here
Stella O’Malley: http://www.stellaomalley.com/parent-coaching
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133 - Is Trans REALLY the New Gay?