Dr. Diane Ehrensaft, a California-based director of a gender clinic and a professor at the University of California-San Francisco School of Medicine, has said there are an “infinite” number of gender identities.
Dr. Diane Ehrensaft
Dr. Diane Ehrensaft is a well-known figure. She holds the position of director of mental health and chief psychologist at the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF) Benioff Children’s Hospital’s gender development center. Moreover, she’s a professor at UCSF School of Medicine.
Early Social Transitions
Ehrensaft strongly advocates for social transitions to begin during early childhood. She argues that children should be allowed to live in their affirmed gender as soon as they recognize it. Gender is not limited to binary categories but, instead, is a spectrum. There are men, women, and non-binary people – people who aren’t 100% a man or 100% a woman 100% of the time. Within the non-binary umbrella, there really could be infinite identities; gender is a social construct. As such, there are as many potential genders as there are shades of every color.
The “Controversial” Claims
Dr. Ehrensaft’s thoughts about gender have raised conservative eyebrows due to their unconventional nature. She suggested that children can be “gender hybrids” and she introduced the concept of a “gender Minotaur” – a metaphor meant to describe what it’s like to not be 100% a boy or 100% a girl.
Society’s Role in Gender Pathology
Dr. Ehrensaft also discussed the way gender dysphoria and transphobia can impact mental health. She said: “If present, individual psychological problems are often secondary to negative interpersonal and cultural reactions to a child. It is not for us to say but for the children to tell [what their genders are].”
Controversy and Criticism
Proponents of the affirming model, which encourages acceptance of diverse gender identities, argue that it is life-saving – a view that is backed up by various studies. Those who harbor anti-transgender views, on the other hand, often say that even allowing a child to socially transition is harmful – a view that contradicts all reputable research. It’s worth noting that socially transitioning includes using a new name and pronouns and does not involve hormones or surgery.
Psychiatric Medication and Gender-Affirming Care
One study has suggested that children receiving gender-affirming care often have their psychiatric medication prescriptions increased. It’s often used to criticize gender-affirming care for minors, however it’s worth noting that transgender people often struggle with their mental health because of the way society treats them. As such, it’s not abnormal for a trans person to continue to need mental health support after they start presenting as their affirmed gender and experience more transphobia.
Conservatives Are Behind
News of Dr. Ehrensaft’s claim was shared across social media and opinions were divided. “Yes, there can be an infinite number of genders. This isn’t news. Gender is a social construct. There can be as many as we like. I know conservatives are behind but I didn’t realize they’re that behind,” one person said.
Criticism From Conservatives
Conservatives were quick to criticize Dr. Ehrensaft. “Nonsense. Throw that ‘doctor’ in jail. This is child abuse and it’s happening right in front of us,” one person wrote. “How did this person even become a doctor in the first place?” another said.
Dr. Ehrensaft Makes Sense
On the other hand, people with left-leaning views said the doctor’s words made sense. “This is being reported in a way that makes her sound crazy but what she’s actually saying makes total sense. The ‘gender-Minotaur’ thing is a metaphor and social constructs are constructs so they can be whatever we want,” one person said.
It’s Not a Big Deal
Others expressed frustration with conservative responses. “Letting children express their gender is not child abuse. I’m so tired of seeing the same old narrative repeated again and again with no evidence. If a child wants to try a new name, that’s okay. If a child wants to try new pronouns, that’s okay. It’s not a big deal.”
Conservatives Didn’t Back Down
Despite the aforementioned criticism, conservatives didn’t back down. “We live in a truly terrifying time. Ehrensaft should not be allowed to work with children or in medicine at all. Harrowing,” one person wrote. “I feel sick reading this,” another added.
Accepting Trans Kids Saves Lives
Despite the stubborn nature of conservatives, left-wingers continued to fight back. One person said: “How about all you bigots just leave trans kids alone? It has literally been proven that letting kids embrace their identities literally saves their lives. Why is that so hard to understand? What are you so scared of? Just leave them alone.”
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