The Roundup: Transgenderism, an agenda, and Are they coming for the kids?

The Roundup is a feature series of posts here on Notes from the Trail that focuses on news, insights, and content that are noteworthy.

Before you shake your head aghast at the suggestion of this post’s title, perhaps you should watch the following video from the San Francisco Gay Men’s Choir:

After posting the video in 2021, the SFGMC pulled it after backlash.^[1]San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus faces backlash for ‘we’re coming for your children’ video – Sam Dorman, Fox News, July 10, 2021

They said, “After decades of children being indoctrinated and taught intolerance for anyone who is ‘other,’ from using the Bible as a weapon to reparative therapy, it’s our turn. We have dedicated ourselves to being role models, teaching, spreading the message of love, tolerance and celebration through our music.”

Mamabear Apologetics has an excellent article responding to whether this is a harmless, tongue-in-cheek attempt to dialogue with love, tolerance and celebration or whether it may reveal a more agenda-based worldview. (I highly recommend you bookmark it and read through it.^[2]“We’re Coming for your Children”– Five Ways the San Francisco Gay Men’s Choir Video Wasn’t Satire – Amy Davison

What does this have to do with transgenderism?

In the April 23, 2022 issue of World Magazine, Mary Jackson has an eye-opening article entitled Laura to Jake and back again.

It’s worth quoting from at length:

Today, a growing number of individuals who have experienced Laura’s haunting realization are breaking their silence and telling heartbreaking stories of detransitioning online. Detransitioning refers to those who medically “transitioned” to the opposite sex but came to regret their decision and realigned with their biological sex. A Reddit thread for detransitioners that started in 2017 now has nearly 28,000 followers…

A handful of detransitioners shared deeply personal reasons why they transitioned—from online and social influences to autism, mental health issues, childhood trauma, sexual abuse, misogyny, and homophobia. Some expressed anger over doctors, therapists, and other adults who encouraged them to transition, including hormonal and surgical interventions with lasting effects. But when they began experiencing doubt or regret, or realized their underlying problems had not gone away, those same people turned their backs on them…

Despite their increasing visibility, detransitioners are dismissed and undermined amid widespread acceptance of the “affirmative model,” which pushes vulnerable youth into puberty-­blocking drugs, cross-sex hormones, and invasive surgeries that permanently alter their lives.^[3]Laura to Jake and back again – Mary Jackson, World Magazine, April 23, 2022

The Laura in the story was convinced and affirmed that changing her sexual identity, using drugs that were readily prescribed by doctors, and having surgery to bring physical changes was the right path. She later deeply regretted it.

You may not realize it (because MSM certainly won’t cover it), but there is a growing movement of detransitioners. 60 Minutes had the courage to air a segment on it from the perspective of health care in May 2021.^[4]You can watch the segment if you have Paramount+. (Link) 

You can imagine the conflict that their segment generated.

The LGBT advocacy group GLAAD slammed the CBS news program for airing the episode, calling it “shameful” and “fearmongering.” Chase Strangio of the American Civil Liberties Union labeled it “part of the anti-trans playbook.”^[5]Laura to Jake and back again, World Magazine.

It required Lesley Stahl to update her report and issue a disclaimer in a “60 Minutes: Overtime:”

Mary Jackson of World Magazine followed up with a story in the May 7, 2022 issue that focused on the role of social media and peer contagion that leads teenage girls to pursue transgenderism.^[6]Web of deception: The “fake reality” and peer contagion of the internet are leading many teen girls into transgenderism – Mary Jackson, World Magazine, May 7, 2022

(It’s also a powerful piece I recommend you read.)

“…detransitioners see a need for more caution among parents and professionals to take seriously the threats posed by online influences. Their stories add to a growing chorus among researchers and parents addressing the role social media is playing in introducing teens to gender ideology and propelling the transgender phenomenon…

Transgenderism doesn’t occur in a vacuum. A study shows that there are LGBTQ evangelists (and peers) on social media and the internet eager to invite young teens into considering sexual identity alternatives.

In 2018, physician and scientist Lisa Littman coined the term rapid-onset gender dysphoria (ROGD) after studying the spike in the number of teenage girls identifying as transgender who showed no previous signs of gender dysphoria…Littman’s study found that more than 65 percent of the teens increased their social media usage and time spent online immediately prior to announcing their transgender identity. .. Nearly 70 percent of the teens belonged to a peer group in which at least one friend had come out as transgender.

It’s not just about transgenderism

Back in July 2021, I wrote a piece with a segment called “Standing against transgenderism.”^[7]Nuff Said: Is “peer review” peerless / standing against transgenderism / Harry Potter in comics / a 2014 VT flyover / and Adam Ford – July 3, 2021

In it, I said:

I want to go on record in the strongest possible opposition to transgenderism as I can. Particularly when involving children or minors, it is brutal, deluded, abusive, evil and morally wrong. From a biblical perspective, it is horribly sinful. Those who encourage or even remain indifferent to it are like those Jesus described as deserving a millstone hung on their neck and tossed into the sea. (Luke 17:1-2)

I stand by that a year later, only with more urgency. I didn’t know that last July the San Francisco Gay Men’s Choir would come out with a “tongue-in-cheek” song about converting our children.

I highly recommend a podcast by Allie Beth Stuckey.^[8]The Untold Stories of Gender Transition | Guest: Brandon Showalter by Allie Beth Stuckey

There have been other fantastic resources produced, but this is the one that gripped me deeply that summer.

It’s not just about transgenderism. It’s about who we are as humans created in the image of God. It’s about design, emotions, peer pressure and mental health. Ultimately, it’s about our souls.

Are we as humans most healthy when we follow our feelings or when we live within boundaries?

It’s about relationships. We live in a world where it’s easy to yell at and blame others. How can we demonstrate love and understanding, empathy and truth in the middle of deeply hard topics with intensely felt beliefs?

There are no easy, pat answers. However, we must and should start somewhere. Otherwise, the choir’s song will become your reality.