For the last two years, Koen has routinely self-administered weekly testosterone injections without a second thought.
During that time, the trans 17-year-old said his self-image and school and family life has drastically improved. His fear of needles, too, has faded.
“[Transitioning] made me look forward to things more because now I can start paying attention to the better version of myself,” said Koen, who asked to be identified by his first name because of fears for his safety. “It’s something I feel like I’ve needed for a while. I’m able to express myself more fluidly and feel comfortable doing that, which I think is a very big step for me right now.”
At the start of the year, though, a greater worry emerged.
A new law banning gender-affirming care for minors in Louisiana took effect on Jan. 1 prohibiting puberty blockers, hormone treatment, and gender-reaffirming surgery. Now, Koen isn’t sure he could continue his hormone treatment.
Louisiana is one of 22 other states that have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for minors, disrupting health care needs for trans and nonbinary people.
Anything that messes with your hormones absolutely has the chance of causing harm. Whether that is birth control, or even giving test to a guy with low levels.
Go on then in good faith. How does it cause zero harm? Zero has been emphasised. I want to know it doesn’t cause more or less height, more or less hair growth. No pain. No anxiety. No worries. Nothing for anyone. Remember it has to be ZERO harm. Not only mild or only small harm, not occasional harm. It has to be 0. ZERO harm. Can you show me a source for that please?
Government of the world are educated on this matter and they are changing there minds on it. I’m not an expert so I’m not the one that needs convincing they do.
Zero harm in the context of being used for folks concerned with their gender identity. If we’re considering height discrepancies to be “serious harm”, then we’re not really having a good faith discussion at all. You CLEARLY don’t need convincing, seeing as any effort spent will be wasted. You’re a brick wall asking me to walk through you.
Like I said. I don’t need convincing it’s the trained experts in multiple countries having looked at the evidence are deciding to change things stop puberty blockers because of worries of harm.