THE BODY POLITIC

Spiralling growth in the number of children identifying as transgender is sparking heated international debate: does it simply reflect increased societal acceptance of diversity – “they were always there” – or is it perhaps linked to the rise of social media and the gender-affirming policies adopted in many countries to respect the wishes of the child?

Accompanying the trend, many countries have begun prescribing puberty blockers to under-16s, which are intended to delay the onset of puberty and give children and their parents time to decide whether – or not – to move on to cross-sex hormones, and more irreversible step towards gender change.

Now, a UK court decision has thrown doubt over the use of puberty blockers in adolescence, with advocates unable to satisfy judges over their safety and efficacy and the ability of children under 16 to give informed consent to their use.

We start with a New Zealand mother’s experience on the transgender path.

hen my daughter was four, a children’s talent agent came running across the park and handed me his card. “She’s so gorgeous, you have to put her on screen.” With her big blue, and she told her friends she was a princess.