Gays Against Groomers: What You Need to Know

This Saturday October 5, the right-wing group known as Gays Against Groomers, or GAG, will hold a rally at Colorado’s state capitol. “Stop the War on Children Rally” will have a gathering of different individuals and organizations. The official press release says: “This pivotal event aims to highlight and address the ongoing conflicts surrounding women’s rights, the hijacking of gay rights, the safety of biological girls in sports, and the mutilation, indoctrination and sexualization of children happening under the guise of LGBTQIA+ rights.” This reflects the continued disinformation campaign against gender affirming care and the trans community as a whole. While there is a plethora of allegations which are rooted in transphobia, homophobia, and misogyny, we only have time to go over the most egregious lies about the trans community.

The Science

Despite what GAG says, the current medical guidance for gender affirming care for transgender youth does not promote “sex changes”. In this case, sex changes can include hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or gender affirming surgeries. However, the treatment of gender dysphoria is more than just surgeries. It includes a range of practices in order to relieve the severe distress caused by gender dysphoria.

First and foremost, we advocate for the social transition of children, meaning trans youth should be respected when it comes to their choice to use certain pronouns, change their name, or dress a certain way. This does not include hormonal therapies, surgeries, or any great cost. And, on average, transgender children who socially transition are more likely to report positive mental health outcomes.

When medical intervention is needed, there is a step-by-step approach to care. First, doctors look at hormonal treatments. The National Institutes on Health (NIH) advocates for a two pronged approach. On one hand, trans youth can be prescribed puberty blockers. This is completely reversible, and would only delay the onset of puberty. This includes the development of breast tissue, the development of the Adam’s apple, and the start of menstruation. It can also stop body and facial hair from growing thicker, which can also induce gender dysphoria, especially in transwomen.

If more intervention is needed, doctors may prescribe HRT in order to let the child develop as their identified gender. These are semi-reversible within reason, according to the NIH. Even then, the organization says that the patient, i.e. the child, must have sufficiently developed enough to give informed consent, which happens around the age 16. If HRT is administered before then, it must be because there is consistent, well documented gender dysphoria. Ergo, teens aren’t just walking into clinics to get free testosterone gel for the fun of it.

When it comes to surgeries, transgender youth cannot go under the knife for surgeries that would affect infertility. This means no bottom surgeries for trans kids. Top surgeries, whether it be the removal of breast tissue or breast augmentation, can be performed if: a) there is persistent documentation of gender dysphoria; b) have the consent of the surgeon; and c) have the consent of the parent. And trans kids aren’t the only ones who get gender affirming surgeries. Cisgender teen girls are more likely to receive breast augmentation than their trans peers.

The Rhetoric

Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that GAG would be swayed by the actual, healthcare system approved medical research. Instead, they implement harmful disinformation and slurs in order to undermine and erase the trans community.

The use of the term “Groomers” is itself a transphobic and homophobic slur. The term groomer is synonymous with predator, and it insinuates that trans adults and drag queens target children for their own sexual gratification. It goes back to the long-standing homophobic idea that conflates homosexuality with pedophilia. By perpetuating this myth, GAG is shooting itself in the foot, so to speak. While being a “gay” organization, it continues to harm members of its own community who are the most vulnerable among them.

If the goal is to protect children, as the name of the rally suggests, then denying the existence of trans youth does more harm than good. By denying trans kids their need to live authentically, it will continue to cause the adverse mental health affects associated with gender dysphoria. As stated earlier, gender affirming care can have a positive impact on trans kids. Saying no child is trans does not magically make the transgender experience go away. It just makes it harder to live happily.

We all want children to be happy. So let them.

Featured photo courtesy of Drew Angerer/Getty Images