The proposed legislation to ban conversion therapy includes gender identity. It shouldn't. Bill C-8 proposes to ban conversion therapy. Of course that's a good thing. Historically, this sort of harmful, coercive therapy was meant to "convert" a person from homosexual to heterosexual orientation.
However, Bill C-8 has added "gender identity" to the ban -- and that's not a good thing.
Because adding gender identity to the Bill would criminalize all conversations between gender-questioning children and their parents, medical professionals and therapists that don't adhere to the "affirmative model" (the practice of immediately affirming a young person's self-image as the opposite sex.)
But no child is ever "born in the wrong body." New evidence is emerging that gender confusion can often be a complication of other issues such as autism, trauma, abuse, mood disorders or even simply distress brought about by puberty. Many young detransitioners are now coming forward to speak about their experiences, including Keira Bell in the UK who is suing the Tavistock's Gender Identity Development Service for not helping her be at ease in her sex.
Many clinicians are now concerned that the proposed legislation will prevent them from properly exploring gender issues in their clients for fear of being accused of a hate crime.
A ban on conversion therapy for gender identity, therefore, is ill-conceived because it shouldn't be a crime to help children and youth accept their natural bodies.
We urge Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sign the Parliamentary e-petition and tell Ottawa that Bill C-8 must be revised to allow parents, medical professionals and therapists to properly explore the underlying reasons for children's gender identity issues.
No one is born in the wrong body.
there doesn't seem to be anything here