Transgenderism & Gender Dysphoria: How do we love them back into the faith?

Introduction. Gender confusion is a complex and contested dynamic. Individuals who truly experience gender dysphoria need medical and pastoral counsel. We must reach out to them and their families with dignity, as they are created by God in His image and likeness. We seek compassion for those battling spiritual warfare on identity, sexuality, fertility and family. We must proclaim truth, both with courage and love, in the face of destructive ideologies that confuse and damage future families. If Jesus were alive today, He would walk, eat with and stay in the homes of those experiencing these torments.
     The purpose of this meditation is to explore the Church's response to these challenges, grounded in love, holiness and relationship with God and neighbor. What are definitions, side effects and implications for loving interactions with suffering individuals and their families? Is this a Pro-Life issue and how did we get here?

Background. In 2013, psychiatric leaders voted to change Transgenderism to a Gender Dysphoria (GD) diagnosis in the DSM of Mental Disorders. Before 2013, parents were told to wait it out with 80% outgrowing symptoms. Post 2013, social affirmation standards changed and those outgrowing symptoms dropped to 3%. An explosion of GD diagnoses, up to 4000% via chart audits, showing pubescent, teenage girls in the majority. Diagnostic criteria is subjective, based on feelings and often inaccurate and assumed stereotypes. In reality, adolescents self-diagnose via Internet tests and quizzes, "I am trans because the quiz says so." There is no objective criteria or differential diagnoses. Meanwhile, some states mandate gender-affirming care with allowances for self-determination. Puberty blockers are introduced in 80-97% of cases. In 2018, "trans" was the 5th highest search on porn sites.

Treatments. Puberty blockers were initially developed for hormone-related cancers and hardened criminals, as in chemical castration. Therefore, safe doses for adults, side effects and statistics are known. The major side effect is bone density loss. However, there is no long-term data for dosing kids. What we do know, is adolescents' genital development is arrested and brain development is retarded. The next step is adding cross-hormones which cause blood clots, genital atrophy, sterilization and permanent gain of secondary sex characteristics. Surgeries begin at age 13. Surgical data is inaccurate since medical documentation is purposefully vague so health insurances pay for "breast augmentations" or "reductions." At age 16, genital alteration, amputation, and plastic surgery is done to mimic the other sex. Yet, each cell's DNA blueprint is not altered, as verified by cheek cell scrapings. For a few years post-op, euphoria occurs. Once the honeymoon period ends, suicide rates climb 40%. Why?--their trauma was not addressed, promises were unrealistic and stereotypical-misinformation was not corrected. For those choosing life, detransition rates are 11% for women and 4% for men. The math for suicides plus transition rates shows a regret rate of 55%. Meanwhile, the remaining 45% are held captive by the pharmaceutical industry for lifelong, high-risk hormones. Some international communities with socialized medicine are backing away from treatment extremes, due to this human devastation-based business model. As Catholics, how must we intervene? Let us review some beliefs.

Who Am I? This is the fundamental question in every person's life. Discovering the answer makes it possible to answer other key questions that arise in Christian Anthropology. Every Christian considers these questions in light of our most fundamental relationship, with God, our Creator.

• What is the purpose of my life?
• What is the meaning of suffering?
• What is good and evil?
• How shall I live?

In order to journey with those in crises, Jesus asks us to meet them where they are. What is their trauma background and stereotype perspectives? Are their stereotypes accurate? Who are their support systems and social circles? What is their Internet engagement level? In short, where are their boundaries?

What is our duty to God & Neighbor? We are persons loved by God, created in love, for love, in His image and likeness. From our first moments of existence, we are in relationship with God. We are called to be in a loving relationship with others. Created male or female, we are equal in dignity and complementary in our differences, made one for another. However, if first memories in life involve trauma or molestations from elders and authority figure(s), as is common with these children; therein lies the barrier. The idea of love from a fatherly-figure or other authority may be warped and convoluted. This explains the delusion of hiding behind another gender, which cannot deliver. Until concerns about father-figures are explored and recalibrated, the idea of surrendering to God as a "father" may be terrifying. Initially, loving thy neighbor is seldom attainable, since trust must be rebuilt. Discussing their future family is not always helpful, since procreation--as in sex--revisits their fears. In their minds, sterilization protects them from the frightening-duties of future coupling. While the law of God is written on every heart, our challenge is to unwrap, expose and heal the layers of trauma that suppress God, who is deeply buried in every soul. 

What is our identity within our moral law? Our most fundamental identity is as a son or daughter of the Lord. We bear the consequences of original sin but have been redeemed by Christ. We are called to eternal life with Him. As creatures with intellect and will, we are tasked with knowing, loving and serving God. Humbled by human frailties, we seek to live in the truth about ourselves and God. We accept the truth of the moral law as taught by the Church, finding happiness by embracing God's will for our lives. If concepts of love and safety are destroyed in early life, for them, embracing God's will and moral laws may be unfathomable. Especially if moral law was circumvented by authority figures, early on. Building trust, listening to their trauma and loving are the first steps to finding God. 

How does the Catechism define sex? As embodied persons, a unity of body and soul, our sex reveals the truth about "who we are." The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2333, states "A person is male or female and we are called to accept our sexual identity as given, a gift from God." Both males and females have a wide variety of feelings, interests, personality traits, and experiences, but these cannot change or override a person's fundamental identity as male or female. 

What is gender? The Institue of Medicine describes it as the person's whole-body organization for a reproductive role. Sex is binary, male or female, because reproduction is binary. A person's body is organized to produce either sperm or ova. A person's sex is determined at conception and is in every cell of the body. Sex cannot change; it is immutable.

What are Secularist versus Catholic self-beliefs? 

1. Catholics believe we are a body with an immortal soul. Whereas the "proven" world view is, "I am my mind in a self-defining being. I decide what it means to be me. I have no given nature that directs or limit my free choices."

2. Catholics believe our nature as a human person is the intentional gift of a good God. He has loved us into existence as the persons we are. In opposition, the world thinks we are self-determining beings who decide what it means to be "me." We have no given boundaries to direct or limit free choices.

3. Catholics believe we are part of creation. We view the natural world including ourselves, as having an order that must be respected. Conversely, the secularists see the natural world with a self-defined  and self-determined order. Humans increasingly disrespect nature and exploit scientific truths.

4. Catholics believe our bodies were designed by God in His image and likeness. We seek to understand God's plan for our lives. The secularists believe bodies are cellular machines to be used as desired. There is no plan for life other than the one they make.

5. Catholic identity is as a beloved son or daughter of God. Secularists believe in the freedom to determine identity. Receiving an identity from another is patronizing and threatens autonomy.

What are flaws in gender ideology? Without an ability to know a true Father's love, individuals may seek safety through opposing hormones and surgery.

1. Science is denied. Moreover, if science is a lie, what other school subjects and authority is misrepresented? Dubiously, the objective term hermaphrodiasis has been reinvented as "Intersex;" perhaps to dilute science and widen the nets of secular-inclusion. Again, this was subjectively voted in by psychiatric leaders. Hermaphrodiacism occurs in 0.018% of the worlds' population. In my 40-year ER nurse career, I cared for one patient with this disorder. Normal female or male physical bodies do not fall into this category.

2. Outdated and rigid stereotypes are misinterpreted. Without God, individual self-worth depends on others' validation. With bullying, social media trends and peer pressure to fit in; this is a moving target. New and opposing stereotypes are norms. Satan is the author of chaos and angels are sexless spirits. When 1/3 of the angels fell (Revelations 12:4) upon learning that Jesus would become man, they would not serve. Is satan attempting to mold man into his own image and likeness: sexless, sterile and unable to create life? Is satan attempting to ruin the family, sterilize a generation, and create despair and suicide? 

3. False promises of happiness are offered. When pills and scalpels do not deliver, mental pathologies and suicidal ideation develops. Irreversible amputations, infertility and self-denial creates lifelong drug dependence. Until their assumptions are healed, these souls have trouble functioning in society. They are forced to renounce science, past experience and ultimately, themselves.

Implications. Broken families result as members are forced to choose sides. How do we love them back into the faith?

1. Accompany, but never abandon. Use love to resist this global war on the family. People who struggle need affirmation as a beloved child of God but may not engage until love and safety needs are explored and redefined. Try to maintain relationships with families throughout this lifelong pain. Stand firm and be confident in church teaching. 

2. God is a gentleman and gifts us with free will. Ultimately, we choose to repent or sin. However, some patients are not ready to understand our faith's "loving Father" concept. Safe and loving eye contact, non-verbal behavior and listening are required.  It is OK to disagree but it must be done with love, safety and respect. Until their trauma is addressed, they remain in limbo and may appear stubborn in methods of self-preservation.

3. Mistakes are made when "identity" is confused for preference and personality. Personality traits vary by sex but cannot determine sex. Examples are young children who are curious about stereotyped toys, sensitive, empathetic males or athletic girls. In their defense, these individuals have a gift; they can experience the best of both worlds. Understanding their specific background, individuality and definitions is important. 

4. Of those who survive the gender dysphoria nightmare, what is their future: marriage, children and family? Forced infertility leaves 2 choices: adoption or IVF. IVF has become a growing monopoly with dark implications due to lack of standards, accountability and ignorance of faith. IVF is a rabbit hole for another article. 

5. For the traumatized hiding behind another gender for emotional safety, we must dig them out of their pain. Unpeeling each layer takes time. It is a journey, not a sprint. Healing doesn't mean the damage never existed, it means the damage stops controlling its victims. For those buried deep in horror and chaos, role modeling patience, kindness, safety and love may be the only way in.   

Conclusion. Transgenderism and gender dysphoria are Pro-Life issues. We are called to help each other with this suffering so all become saints. We must be patient, kind and loving; but firm in faith to save our emotionally-vulnerable children. This is a grueling familial cross to carry, yet all souls matter. Let us pray and fast for family healing. St. Joseph, pray for us. Mother Mary, pray for us. Jesus, we trust in you!

Sources

A Catholic Approach to Transgenderism. Faith and Love Conference, St Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, 2019

"Amoris Laetitia": Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on love in the family (March, 2016) | Pope Francis

Detransition Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse People—An Increasing and Increasingly Complex Phenomenon | The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | Oxford Academic

“The Dignity and Vocation of Men,” in Promise and Challenge: Catholic Women Reflect on Feminism, Complementarity, and the Church (Our Sunday Visitor: 2015)

How common is intersex? a response to Anne Fausto-Sterling - PubMed

Person & Identity Project, Theresa Farnan PhD. The Diocese of Madison's St. Therese of Lisieux Lecture Series (November, 2021)

Psychiatry.org - Gender Dysphoria Diagnosis

“Report Debunks ‘Born That Way’ Narrative and Transgender Label for Kids.” (co-author) The Federalist, August 2016

“Responding to Transgenderism,” Among the Lilies Podcast interview 2019

The Transgender Question: Theological and Legal Considerations, St Benedict Institute, Hope College, 2020.