Actor Elliot Page Criticized for Stance on Gender Surgeries for Minors

NYU Langone Hospital recently announced it would cease providing gender-affirming care to minors, a move that actor Elliot Page publicly opposed. Page joined protesters outside the hospital, denouncing the decision as the result of "bigoted politics" and questioning the direction of the country in an Instagram video. The opinion piece argues that such a country, one that prioritizes safeguarding vulnerable children, is desirable.

The author contends that, similar to age restrictions on activities like driving or voting, society should exercise caution when minors seek irreversible medical interventions. The piece suggests that countries in Europe have taken a more reserved approach to medicalizing gender-dysphoric children, pointing to the United Kingdom's ban on puberty blockers following the Cass Review, which reportedly found that clinical guidelines were based on insufficient evidence.

The opinion asserts that the term "gender-affirming care" is a misnomer for treatments involving puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, or surgeries, citing potential complications such as sterilization and loss of sexual function. It argues that young individuals are not mature enough to consent to or fully comprehend the lifelong implications of such decisions.

While Page stated that this care is "necessary, backed by science, and supported by every major credible medical association," the piece counters that the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has recommended delaying gender-affirming surgeries for minors. It also notes a growing sentiment among healthcare professionals echoing the caution highlighted in the Cass Review, suggesting that the approach to treating adolescents with gender dysphoria was previously too permissive.

The article recounts instances where parents who questioned their children's transitions were reportedly labeled as abusive, and schools allegedly withheld information about social transitions from parents. It highlights the emergence of detransitioners, individuals who have reversed their gender transitions, sharing experiences of physical and psychological distress. The piece specifically mentions a case where a detransitioner was awarded $2 million after undergoing a double mastectomy at age 16.

Page, who came out as transgender at age 33, made his transition decisions as an adult. The opinion piece posits that this contrasts with minors who may be influenced by external pressures. It concludes by suggesting that distressed children require psychological support and time to develop their identities, rather than being steered toward potentially harmful medical interventions and surgeries.