Readers respond to an article on the huge rise in the number of adolescent biological girls seeking referrals to gender clinics in recent years. Plus, the gender-neutral pronoun ‘per’
Thank you for investigating this aggravated debate in many of its aspects (‘An explosion’: what is behind the rise in girls questioning their gender identity?, 24 November). In the light of so much uncertainty about the origins of the rise in the number of gender-questioning girls, it is essential for vulnerable teenagers to receive prompt, qualified therapeutic help to explore their feelings.
This kind of inquiry would broaden our understanding, but has been unhelpfully labelled “conversion therapy” by groups pushing the ideological line that one’s sex can be changed if it feels uncomfortable. All children deserve clear, simple truths, not encouragement to believe that transition will allow them to escape bullying, misogyny, homophobia, sexual rejection, internet porn and gender stereotypes.
