Psychologist Dr. Harriet Wims tells attendees at a 2022 medical training summit that parents who don't affirm their child's gender identity are “mentally ill,” according to audio obtained exclusively by the Daily Caller News Foundation. He reportedly said that he was suffering from.

This discussion took place at the 27th Annual Training Symposium of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), held on September 17, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. Wims, clinical director of the Village Family Support Center in Baltimore, suggested in a talk on WPATH: They claim that parents who don't approve of their child's decisions about autism are “transphobic” and have a “mental illness.” audio Obtained through public records request. (Related: Exclusive: Renowned psychologist talks nonstop about 3-year-old undergoing gender transition during medical training course)

According to the audio, Dr. Wims, along with several other doctors, were discussing a case involving a young man known as “Sylvian.” The young woman, who identifies as biologically male, is dependent on her parents, who also have autism and do not accept Sylvian's gender identity. .

“Sylvian is a 22-year-old young man who uses his pronouns,” the commission explained. “In terms of gender history, Sylvian was identified as female at birth and first identified as male at the age of 19. During her time in college and high school, she realized that she felt uncomfortable living as a woman. “But I didn't say anything about it,'' because he didn't know exactly what was happening to him. ”

According to the audio, the committee also said that Sylvian's parents were upset to learn of his gender change, but “they thought it was a gradual process.” But Wims had other ideas about his parents' beliefs.

“Here in the United States, Janet Helms is a researcher who has studied racism for years, and she believes that racism and other isms… [a] There is mental illness and it needs to be addressed,” Wims said. “And if I were working with this client, I'd say, 'Okay, your parents, unfortunately, they're transphobic, so I'm sorry, but let's figure out a way to address their mental illness.' I think you might say.”

Wims added that this may require a “family life” as well as a “social life” where patients can be themselves.

Other medical professionals at the WPATH summit also discussed working with parents who are reluctant to affirm their children's transgender identities, and a video obtained exclusively by DCNF shows that said that it all boils down to the “message''.

Dr. Scott Liebowitz Psychiatrist Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio and member WPATH answered a question from the audience about how to deal with parents who object to menstrual suppression. medicine This can be used to stop the onset of periods in girls who identify as male.

“So, from my perspective, when you put it alongside hormones, they're usually like, 'Okay, let's do menstrual suppression,'” he explained, and the audience laughed. “It’s all about the delivery and the message.”

a study A paper published in Obstetrics & Gynecology in March 2023 found that there is little data on “the outcomes of different menstrual management methods in gender-diverse patients, including retention rates, bleeding patterns, and side effects.” It pointed out. Although this study found positive results for transgender patients using menstrual suppressants, more research is needed to determine the impact on “gender dysphoria and mental health effects.” argued that it was necessary.

Dr. Wallace Wong psychologist Mr. Leibovitz, who works with transgender children as young as 2 years old, also participated in a panel discussion with Mr. Leibovitz, reminding hesitant parents that “inaction can sometimes be just as harmful as making the wrong decision.” “This is a reminder that there may be cases,” he said.

“I think it's important to let kids know what the impact is on their mental health if we don't do anything,” Wong said. How can we make it worse?” he asked.

“In some cases, their support may change on this matter,” he added.

clock:

In a previous DCNF investigation, Wong listed In another training session, he, co-director of WPATH's GEI Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement Committee, told medical professionals that when parents claim their child is transgender, they are thinking “irrationally.” She explained that she often feels that way, and that she tells her parents that only the child knows the truth about her. myself. He also encouraged parents to talk to their children as young as 3 about sex and gender identity.

Later in the panel discussion, participants asked how they should talk to parents who claim their children did not suffer from feelings of gender dysphoria at an early age.

Wong said young children know they have these feelings. But while she lacks the “language” to express it, Leibovitz asks whether she has sidelined her parents and reinforced gender stereotypes about her children. He said he likes it.

“I'm always alone with my parents. [and] Never, in front of an adolescent child, ask if my parenting has reinforced stereotypes, then I list what those stereotypes are and ask parents if their parenting or their child is Understand how they think about the environment they are in. ” Leibovitz said.

Leibovitz also said in a separate talk on WPATH that parents often think their child may have autism rather than gender dysphoria, according to a video obtained by DCNF. He said if parents see a doctor who “first addresses other concerns” such as autism concerns, they are much more likely to have a child whose “gender-specific care needs are met” later on. Says.

A spokesperson for Nationwide Children's Hospital told DCNF that Leibovitz was “not available” for comment.

WPATH 8 standards of care Doctors encourage parents to be affirmative of their child's decisions, but also acknowledge that parents may be “too dismissive” of their child's needs as “part of the clinical evaluation process.”

“However, in some cases, parents/caregivers may be too dismissive of their adolescent child and the child's gender should be included as part of the clinical evaluation process. In these situations , youth may require greater advocacy and support system involvement to advance the support and care they need,” the standard reads.

Mr. Wong, Mr. Wims and WPATH did not respond to requests for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.

All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or our partnership, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.