Discussion"60 Minutes" episode on detransitioners - backlash from "LGBTQ+" lobbying organizations and publications

submitted by reluctant_commenter from self.LGBDropTheT

60 Minutes, a show on CBS news, included in their episode last week a 15-minute segment on "transgender healthcare," which included interviews of about 30 detransitioners who said they regretted transition. Link here: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/60minutes-2021-05-23/

As you would expect, TQ-dominated "LGBTQ+" lobbying groups and related publications were upset by this program, e.g.

I noticed in the program that there was virtually no mention of LGB detransitioners, and one of the transgender advocates even attempted to frame the experience of the detransitioners that were interviewed as simply, "They didn't receive good enough transgender healthcare, therefore we need to expand transgender healthcare."

I am a little worried that conversations about detransitioning, at least in the US, may continue to lack discussion about homophobia. In particular, coverage on detransitioners neglects to mention that homophobia is one of the pressures that drives LGB teens, adults, and even children to transition in the first place, thereby escaping it. (It seems like the UK at least is a little better about this; Dr. David Bell from the Tavistock came right out and called the process "conversion therapy" on TV, for example.)

General thoughts on this issue (or the segment in general)?

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[–][deleted] [score hidden] stickied comment (2 children)

I removed a thread maybe a week ago discussing this segment. Nothing in the shared article/video mentioned LGB or the impact on us. While we empathize with and support detransitioners, and even have some among our group, we're an LGB sub, not s/detrans.

This post is staying up, however. The difference between this post and the one I removed is OP is specifically calling out the impact on us, and the LGB erasure occurring, even though the original article/video didn't. OP is stating the facts (and lack-of) regarding LGB, and asking for discussion about it.

That's what makes it relevant for us, and it needs to be stated. We run a safe space for LGB users in this sub, but we are not yet in a position to assume the public understands our views or focus.

[–][deleted] 21 insightful - 1 fun21 insightful - 0 fun22 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I've seen the episode. I've also been lurking on threads of LGB detransitioners on twitter to get their opinions.

Honestly, I think the consensus is that the segment on detrans didn't go far enough, but it's a start nonetheless. This is the first time detrans has been given attention in the public eye on a trusted news program like 60 minutes, and interviewed by a well-recognized journalist too. The segment didn't go into the homophobia or misogyny involved in the current trans healthcare framework but it's the tip of the iceberg. I feel like we gotta start somewhere, and this serves as a somewhere, at least.

[–]reluctant_commenter[S] 10 insightful - 1 fun10 insightful - 0 fun11 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

This is the first time detrans has been given attention in the public eye on a trusted news program like 60 minutes, and interviewed by a well-recognized journalist too.

I feel like we gotta start somewhere, and this serves as a somewhere, at least.

That's very true. I think this is some of the first major news coverage of detrans-anything in the US (apart from one biased New Yorker opinion article a few months ago that I've seen). I guess I just worry about the framing because I think it might be harder to start bringing LGB issues into the detrans conversation much later down the road, if the beginning is dominated by "women vs. trans" concerns. Some people on the right will be happy to lump in "those degenerate gays" or whatever with the harms caused by the transgender movement, and if it's not emphasized early on how gender identity ideology is harming us as well as other vulnerable demographics (e.g. women, people on the spectrum, kids), we might end up the scapegoat. All speculation of course, it's too early to say.

[–]ThiccDropkickGay 20 insightful - 1 fun20 insightful - 0 fun21 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

The articles are particularly revealing about trans activist groups. They see detransitioners as a threat, they don’t want their stories heard. Any treatment that doesn’t involve transitioning is “anti-trans”.

None of this is for the benefit of actual dysphoric people.

[–]RippoffOfLoveSStraight | Overuses quotation marks 17 insightful - 1 fun17 insightful - 0 fun18 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

"How dare you highlight the fact that some clinics are not following our own guidelines!"

Who is this helping, exactly?

60 Minutes [...] fell for the same disinformation, platforming members of [the anti-trans evangelical right] coalition without proper identification or scrutiny.

You mean like how these clinics treated these patients without proper scrutiny? Surely I'm not the only one to see the irony in that. And what the hell are "anti-trans detransitioners"? If they were anti trans, explain to me why they would ever get the care they received? Irreversible care, in some cases? This is exactly the cult-like behavior Dr Steven Hassan warned about. And in fact, Steven Hassan tweeted about this special when it came out.

60 Minutes brought up some valid concerns. They're upset because these concerns oppose their stance. Any dissent must by shut down without reasoning with it.

[–]RedEyedWarriorGay | Male | 🇮🇪 Irish 🇮🇪 | Antineoliberal | Cocks are Compulsory 13 insightful - 1 fun13 insightful - 0 fun14 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

The fact that 60 Minutes agreed to make this is a start. It’s baby steps, but there is a chance LGB detransitioners will share their stories on mainstream American media eventually.

CBS did have the documentary up on YouTube before they took it down. I you can see it on BitChute.