Gender dysphoria: a clinical and social reality to which Chile gives a sensible and exemplary response.
No one can deny that in a small number of children, biological sex does not coincide with gender identity. This dissonance between sex and subjective gender identity produces great suffering in the individual experiencing it, classified in the DSM-5 as gender dysphoria, distinguishing between children and adolescents and adults (302.6 – F64.2) and between adolescents and adults (302.85 – F84.1).
I believe the position of the President of Chile, Miguel Juan Sebastián Piñera EcheniqueIt brings together the necessary prudence to give the best response to a problem where ideology and personal or collective beliefs clash with irrational intensity against the political will to resolve the suffering of people who suffer from the aforementioned gender dysphoria.
During the interview that we present at the end of this post, the President of Chile, Mr. Piñera, addresses the core issue of gender identity:
- Evolution of the symptoms of gender dysphoria. Mr. Piñera sensibly requests that medical (hormonal) or surgical intervention be refrained from until individuals with gender dysphoria reach the age of fourteen. He bases his position on the scientifically proven fact that, with development, the symptoms of dysphoria disappear in 70-80% of children who experienced them. Therefore, a basic principle of bioethics applies: in any intervention, "first, do no harm."
- He tells us that gender dysphoria either solidifies or disappears during adolescence. Therefore, he proposes that if it persists between the ages of 14 and 18, confirmation measures can be taken, although parental consent is required. He argues that the State cannot replace the family in the case of minors.
- From the age of 18, with the age of majority, any decision corresponds to the subject.
Why do I think the decision of the President of Chile is prudent?
Gender ideology, as conceived by LGBT groups, remains a religious belief—secular, but religious and exclusionary nonetheless. Just as religious and exclusionary as that defended by some sectors of the Catholic Church. And when governing for a pluralistic society, we cannot legislate for a select few citizens, but for everyone. We cannot exclude large social groups for the exclusive benefit of others, because in trying to eliminate one form of discrimination, we are creating another. As the philosopher said, "virtue lies in the middle ground."
Therefore, from here I extend my sincerest congratulations to the President of Chile, who has been courageous in the face of gender ideologues and certain sectors of the Church and other groups.
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