(DailyChive.com) – The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations health agency, has drawn intense criticism for the makeup of its panel tasked with drafting healthcare policies for transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Concerns swirl around potential bias and a lack of diverse perspectives, particularly given the heavy representation of transgender activists among the 21-member committee.
The composition raises eyebrows for several reasons. Eleven members, over half the panel, lack formal medical training, and ten have a medical background, while a significant seven members identify as transgender. This imbalance fuels anxieties about the panel’s ability to navigate the complex medical and ethical considerations inherent in transgender healthcare.
Further fueling concerns is the inclusion of figures with controversial stances. One member, a Canadian trans activist influential on TikTok, advocates for prescribing puberty blockers to all children regardless of gender identity, essentially granting them the power to “choose” their gender rather than accepting societal norms. This approach, perceived by some as overly simplistic, ignores the potential medical risks and psychological implications of such interventions.
Another committee member claims transitioning poses no health problems and boasts about “trans joy” as the sole “actual side effect” of gender reassignment. Such pronouncements, devoid of nuance, downplay the potential challenges associated with transitioning, raising questions about the member’s objectivity.
The remaining panel members comprise activists, social justice advocates, and human rights lawyers, fueling concerns about the lack of medical and mental health professionals with diverse viewpoints. Additionally, one member, identified as Ashley, has a tattoo advocating for criminal activity, raising questions about their suitability for a role in setting healthcare guidelines.
Despite assurances from WHO spokesperson Tarik Jašarević that the guidelines will focus solely on adults and not involve children’s access to hormones, suppressants, or surgeries, some members openly advocate for enabling such procedures for children as young as 13. This stance clashes with the cautious approaches adopted by European public health authorities like England, Sweden, and Finland, emphasizing evidence-based practices.
Reem Alsalem, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on violence against women, criticizes the panel’s “one-sided” nature and potential conflicts of interest, echoing the concerns of many experts. She points out the absence of stakeholders with opposing views, including those advocating for conventional psychotherapy in addressing gender dysphoria.
Stella O’Malley, psychotherapist and executive director of Genspect, further fuels the controversy by highlighting the panel’s apparent bias towards a solely “gender affirmative” approach. She emphasizes the need for a more balanced approach that incorporates diverse perspectives and prioritizes the well-being of all individuals, regardless of gender identity.
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