Jump to content

Daily Texan: UHS moves to provide hormone replacement therapy, LGBTQ students keep up the pressure


Mappable

Recommended Posts

 Then it’s just simple access to care which is also a huge issue.  You can’t go to just any doctor, even though it’s simple treatment.  Many just don’t give enough of a shit to learn so having access on campus and at the health facility many students are likely to go to for any medical care is important, humane and appropriate.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Apparently this thing has got some legs (though little iddy bitty ones), UTCC felt the need to backtrack/er, clarify last night.:

UTNews 

Statement on MasculinUT

April 29, 2018

 

Statement from The University of Texas at Austin:

The MasculinUT program does not treat masculinity as a “mental health issue,” and any such statements are simply not accurate. It was established to bring more men to the table to address interpersonal violence, sexual assault and other issues.

Like other UT programs related to sexual assault and interpersonal violence, MasculinUT is housed administratively in the university’s Counseling and Mental Health Center. Its goals include helping men explore ways to reduce sexual violence, helping students take responsibility for their actions, and fostering healthier relationships on campus and beyond.

These are important goals that we strongly stand behind. It has become clear that some of the communication and discussion surrounding MasculinUT did not convey this fully or clearly and was not effective at reaching the broad audiences the program envisioned. As a result, we will be reviewing the website and other content to ensure that it serves the program’s goals and will make any appropriate changes as we receive feedback from stakeholders.

Earlier this year, The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved funding for mental health, student safety, and alcohol-related initiatives including efforts to reduce sexual assaults on campus. The new staff position that will oversee this program, and coordinate with other UT System schools, is part of those efforts funded by the Regents.

_______
So, the "Masculinity Director" is funded by Regents' funding on mental health issues, but this isn't a mental health issue.  Oh, I get it.
LOL, must be getting some pretty salty calls/emails from money people.  Just fucking own it, don't put out conflicting shit like this.

Anyway, after 24 hours, no one is going to give a flying fuck about this and certainly 99,9% of UT students will forget and/or be completely unaware that this thing exists.

 
Link to comment
Share on other sites

21 minutes ago, DaysOff said:

Dumb question amnesty, but what does queer mean?

someone that does not adhere to sexual orientation, gender and gender expression norms.  It’s a self given label, and it’s generally not okay for a non-LGBTQ person to call someone queer.  The term has basically been reclaimed by the LGBTQ community.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

32 minutes ago, futureman said:

this is a question of mental health.  what we should be doing is providing counseling and psychotherapy to these people instead of trying to turn biology on its head by throwing hormones at them.  

Wrong wrong wrong.  So wrong one wrong isn’t enough.  Difference is what makes us bad ass.  You be a masculine guy and do your thing.  Let the rest of us do our thing.  

I’ve spent damn well near a decade in therapy, I’m very clear on who I am and so are the rest of us that don’t adhere to the norms.  It actually takes a ton of courage and work and perseverance to stand up and be who you are when you aren’t like the model of what a man is supposed to be.  

You’ll get your women and I’ll get mine and if those guys want guys they’ll get theirs.  It’s really easy once your try it, let people be who they are, humanity will be so much better for it.

 

Edited by troph
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 4/28/2018 at 8:53 AM, Horny04 said:

Has shaggy  Surly become too PC for me to express my true feelings about this and say that it is bullshit?

Especially this quote 

Basic healthcare things?  GMAFB

My thoughts also.

 

I have a diabetic child.  I don't expect his college health center to meet those needs, we found him a local endocrinologist.  You know, someone that specializes in diabetic care.  Not the quack shack where you go to get a prescription for sinus medicine in allergy season.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, troph said:

Wrong wrong wrong.  So wrong one wrong isn’t enough.  Difference is what makes us bad ass.  You be a masculine guy and do your thing.  Let the rest of us do our thing.  

I’ve spent damn well near a decade in therapy, I’m very clear on who I am and so are the rest of us that don’t adhere to the norms.  It actually takes a ton of courage and work and perseverance to stand up and be who you are when you aren’t like the model of what a man is supposed to be.  

You’ll get your women and I’ll get mine and if those guys want guys they’ll get theirs.  It’s really easy once your try it, let people be who they are, humanity will be so much better for it.

 

The problem is the "difference" you speak of has turned into ideology that denies fundamental scientific realities about our existence. Radical leftists on campus aren't just working to normalize and treat the issues  trans people are facing. They're seeking to break down fundamental truths about our biology. Its dangerous and its wrong, and Im sick of our school being ground zero for this kind of pathology. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, Caddox said:

The problem is the "difference" you speak of has turned into ideology that denies fundamental scientific realities about our existence. Radical leftists on campus aren't just working to normalize and treat the issues  trans people are facing. They're seeking to break down fundamental truths about our biology. Its dangerous and its wrong, and Im sick of our school being ground zero for this kind of pathology. 

lol.

you know nothing about the shit you're talking about.  nothing.  estrogen therapy has made my life worth living.  the more normalized trans existence becomes, the easier healthcare is to access, and the more routine our care becomes, the better we are for it.  every single mainstream mental health and medical association agrees, every single one of them.  the *only* organizations that oppose trans care as it's is given today are the ideological conservative organizations that put ideology over science and patient care.

Edited by troph
Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, troph said:

lol.

you know nothing about the shit you're talking about.  nothing.  estrogen therapy has made my life worth living.  the more normalized trans existence becomes, the easier healthcare is to access, and the more routine our care becomes, the better we are for it.  every single mainstream mental health and medical association agrees, every single one of them.  the *only* organizations that oppose trans care as it's is given today are the ideological conservative organizations that put ideology over science and patient care.

Its not the treatment thats the problem. Its the conversation around trans people and the way we classify their need for treatment. If you needed estrogen to live a normal life I'm glad that you got it, and I want others to receive the same treatment as well. But anyone who needs hormone therapy in order to lead a mentally stable life has a disorder. If we would call it what it is, the proper level of empathy for those who need the treatment would be fostered just like it is for any other disorder. It's not these individuals fault, some wires got crossed in the womb and we have the science to set it right. No different than the vast list of other disorders we have learned to treat. 

As someone who has received this treatment, do you find the above offensive?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, Caddox said:

Its not the treatment thats the problem. Its the conversation around trans people and the way we classify their need for treatment. If you needed estrogen to live a normal life I'm glad that you got it, and I want others to receive the same treatment as well. But anyone who needs hormone therapy in order to lead a mentally stable life has a disorder. If we would call it what it is, the proper level of empathy for those who need the treatment would be fostered just like it is for any other disorder. It's not these individuals fault, some wires got crossed in the womb and we have the science to set it right. No different than the vast list of other disorders we have learned to treat. 

As someone who has received this treatment, do you find the above offensive?

not particularly offensive no.  I don't think the term "disorder" is appropriate though given the  discrimination we face.  and the current view among the medical and mental health professional associations is that it's not a mental illness or a disorder, per se.  semantics maybe, but it's easier to think I'm less than if you see me as having some disorder.  do I have a medical condition requiring treatment?  obviously yes.  did wires get crossed?  yeah.  is my DNA different?  yeah.  but I was effectively cured with a script for T-blockers and estrogen.  Once i finished the gatekeeper stuff, it's an easier treatment protocol than my sons treatment for ADHD.  The simplicity of my treatment protocol is ironic given the conversation around it and the treatment of us in broader society.

 

and for the record, if empathy is what I get as opposed to hate, then fantastic.  but I don't need or want anyone to feel sorry for me.  I love my life and even sometimes think being trans is akin to having super powers.  If anything I kinda feel sorry for cisgender folk who can't see both sides of the gender divide from a visceral level like I can.

but what do you mean by this:

"Its the conversation around trans people and the way we classify their need for treatment. "

Edited by troph
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, troph said:

I don't think the term "disorder" is appropriate given the  discrimination we face.  and the current view among the medical and mental health professional associations is that it's not a mental illness or a disorder, per se.  semantics maybe, but it's easier to think I'm less than if you see me as having some disorder.  do I have a medical condition requiring treatment?  obviously yes.  did wires get crossed?  yeah.  is my DNA different?  yeah.  but I was effectively cured with a script for T-blockers and estrogen.  it's an easier treatment all told than my sons treatment for ADHD.  The simplicity of my treatment protocol is ironic given the conversation around it and the treatment of us in broader society.

See I think your first sentence is the problem. By its most basic definition its a disorder of some kind. While it might not originate in the brain it certainly affects it, to the point that suicide is a real concern. To me that means the stakes are pretty high and we should be very precise in the language we use to talk about whats going on inside the body. Its very similar to disorders that are classified as mental, in that the conversation needs to be much more honest and open. Depression is a huge issue, and yet the average person doesn't even know what it is and how it can be treated with medicine to improve actual physical interactions in the brain. 

When I hear about someone like yourself I think to myself, man that sucks for that person. When I realize its very treatable I think to myself thats great I hope treatment goes well and they can get back on track. When I see the identity politics crowd use someone with this condition to bolster their own narrative, red flags go up quickly. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

well, I don't think there is anything wrong with me.  I really don't.  there was, but there isn't now.   and medical treatment is only the basic start, the rest is from being fortunate enough to live in a society and in my own community where I'm treated as an equal.  if the term "disorder" prevents that equality, then yeah the term is a problem.  if it doesn't prevent equal treatment, then I guess I really don't care.  outcomes matter, not labels.  but know that "gender identity disorder" is no longer in the DSM, it's now referred to simply as "gender dysphoria" and much like homosexuality, the medical and mental health professional associations believe it is in the best interest of the individual to de-pathologize the existence of trans folk.  as for identity politics, I don't really know what you are getting at.  it's the conservatives that politicize my existence more than anyone. 

Edited by troph
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kids don't just ask for HRT and receive it. There are a LOT of hoops to jump through. In many areas and with many cases, the delay for patients to receive treatment causes harm in itself. Even with my relatively limited clinical knowledge on the subject, I know that much. Further more, I think it does transgender people a great disservice to classify them alongside alcoholics, porn addicts, cutters (which include some transgender people), and other negative "life styles." Like, please. It wasn't that long ago that the first three letters in LGBT were considered "disordered."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Caddox said:

See I think your first sentence is the problem. By its most basic definition its a disorder of some kind. While it might not originate in the brain it certainly affects it, to the point that suicide is a real concern. To me that means the stakes are pretty high and we should be very precise in the language we use to talk about whats going on inside the body. Its very similar to disorders that are classified as mental, in that the conversation needs to be much more honest and open. Depression is a huge issue, and yet the average person doesn't even know what it is and how it can be treated with medicine to improve actual physical interactions in the brain. 

When I hear about someone like yourself I think to myself, man that sucks for that person. When I realize its very treatable I think to myself thats great I hope treatment goes well and they can get back on track. When I see the identity politics crowd use someone with this condition to bolster their own narrative, red flags go up quickly. 

So here’s the problem with your argument. You start talking about identity politics as if it’s out to get you and that raises my red flags. It tells me you aren’t interested in Tropheus getting any kind of treatment to make her whole. You want her to be broken so you can say you stood up to those identity politics bullies. I want Tropheus to live her life to the fullest, free from stigma. I want all of her trans brothers and sisters to be treated the same way. I want all of her gay brothers and sisters to be treated the same way. I want all of her straight brothers and sisters to be treated the same way. If that means I’m playing identity politics then I’m playing identity politics. But medical care should not be a political issue. If you have figured out how to make it political, you are doing it wrong. 

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

26 minutes ago, OatmealRaisinCookie said:

Yea, I mean, if it's a medical condition isn't that a disorder? If you need to pills and therapy and things to "heal" you, then ya, you have a disorder. Alcoholics have a disorder, they have treatment, they live full great lives and are grateful to be alcoholics just like it sounds like Troph is living a full, great life now that she is in treatment of herhis disorder, right?

in case you're new here...  fify

Link to comment
Share on other sites

57 minutes ago, OatmealRaisinCookie said:

An honest and maybe unpopular take is that I'm conflicted about this and here is why.

I didn't like the idea of paying for this when it was floated by the military, because you aren't entitled to join the military and disabilities and disorders and syndromes of all walks can disqualify you. I think I would be okay with this as a parent (of a tuition paying student) and tax payer. Here is why:

I do believe that there is a class of people with the dysmorphia disorder like our resident troph here that suffer with a biological and congenital syndrome, but also believe a class of these people need empathy and support and love from past sexual trauma that informs a type of mental illness. I'd rather not create the moral hazard or agency cost of having impressionable, mentally ill kids 18-21 be allowed to harm themselves by indulging in playing around with their chemistry, but at the same time is the benefit for those like troph who have had their life saved (sometimes literally with suicide, but always figuratively) worth the cost of those who pursue a mental illness?

If the mental illness is relatively harmless, meaning there isn't a direct cost to society or others (sociologists probably would have compelling arguments of more nuanced long term issues, depending on your values), then perhaps it's not different than allowing others to pursue their legal mental illness like alcoholic (nobody on this site would know anything about that, right?) or porn addicts or cutters or obesity and other things that manifests itself in fetishes and sub-cultures. That's the beauty of freedom, after all.

re: military:  the military has done it's cost benefit analysis and it's worth it to the military to pay for it.  just like the military pays for viagra for its cisgender male members.  I do agree though that the military shouldn't be a beaker for social experimentation.  win wars, that's it.  but apparently in modern war, trans folk can be an asset, so here we are.

re sexual assault as causation: you mention sexual assault as a basis for trans identity but yet you don't provide any basis for that connection.  it's similar to the "she must be a lesbian because her dad molested her when she was young" or some other argument - as though being gay or being trans is caused by external trauma.  no one touched me as a child, I was not abused, neglected or molested.  I'm trans.  have been since I was a child, always will be.

re: cost to society: I don't really get what you are trying to say.  taking cross sex hormones is the recommended treatment protocol for being trans.  it's not like an alcoholic taking another drink.  and frankly, drug abuse and alcoholism, cutting and any other negative behaviors like that should not be compared to an existence that "just is".  I didn't do anything to be trans, and in fact the only thing I've actively done is seek proper treatment.

Edited by troph
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, OatmealRaisinCookie said:

I just think it's because words mean things and specific words convey ideas. Using different words changes the message. The message I was trying to convey is that gender dysphoria is a tragic congenital condition that is born from some sort of pathology or mutation and causes suffering and looking at it from that prism should help inform things regarding healthcare policy (in this OP for example), etc.  Also this keeps it in a more objective realm of facts rather than wade into the murky subjective territories of morality and values, of which valid opinions vary and are found on both sides.

that's okay until I get treated differently or your empathy leads you to look down on me.  if it does neither, then you are fine.  though I still don't think the term "disorder" is necessary or appropriate as it does cause quite a bit of discrimination.  we had a long, long discussion about this on the other board and it centered around "mentally ill" which is a terrible term used to discount the lived experience of those with the condition.  I think disorder has a similar negative risk.  I think condition/medical condition is much less likely to cause harm, and that's what we are trying to prevent right?  that's what the professional associations have decided when they purposefully reclassified it as "not a disorder" any more, and instead call it Gender Dysphoria. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, NameAlreadyInUse said:

So here’s the problem with your argument. You start talking about identity politics as if it’s out to get you and that raises my red flags. It tells me you aren’t interested in Tropheus getting any kind of treatment to make her whole. You want her to be broken so you can say you stood up to those identity politics bullies. I want Tropheus to live her life to the fullest, free from stigma. I want all of her trans brothers and sisters to be treated the same way. I want all of her gay brothers and sisters to be treated the same way. I want all of her straight brothers and sisters to be treated the same way. If that means I’m playing identity politics then I’m playing identity politics. But medical care should not be a political issue. If you have figured out how to make it political, you are doing it wrong. 

You clearly didnt read a single thing I wrote bc I clearly said I want these people to get the treatment they need and I want them to be treated with the same dignity we all receive when receiving treatment for our health issues. And I didn't figure out how to make it political, the entire issue is incredibly politically charged. Pretending like its not at this point is silly. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 minutes ago, Caddox said:

You clearly didnt read a single thing I wrote bc I clearly said I want these people to get the treatment they need and I want them to be treated with the same dignity we all receive when receiving treatment for our health issues. And I didn't figure out how to make it political, the entire issue is incredibly politically charged. Pretending like its not at this point is silly. 

It’s politically charged because conservatives decided that they don’t need science to decide how we should live our lives. They did it with the gays and they are doing it with trans people. They also complain about identity politics while they are deriding those of us that are different and giving us a single option. Turn straight, or to your birth gender, or receive our scorn. So when you complain about identity politics you are just carrying on in the conservative tradition we have grown to appreciate as a barricade to our mental health. I don’t trust that you meant the rest of what you said because of the loaded terms you used up front. Those terms speak to politicization of medical treatment, and that is the absolute wrong way to look at this. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 minutes ago, NameAlreadyInUse said:

It’s politically charged because conservatives decided that they don’t need science to decide how we should live our lives. They did it with the gays and they are doing it with trans people. They also complain about identity politics while they are deriding those of us that are different and giving us a single option. Turn straight, or to your birth gender, or receive our scorn. So when you complain about identity politics you are just carrying on in the conservative tradition we have grown to appreciate as a barricade to our mental health. I don’t trust that you meant the rest of what you said because of the loaded terms you used up front. Those terms speak to politicization of medical treatment, and that is the absolute wrong way to look at this. 

So you're going with "I don't believe you." Good talk. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, troph said:

Thankfully your views are archaic and already in the minority.

If you put public funding of tranny conversion and hormone therapies to a popular vote, there is zero chance it would prevail.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, NameAlreadyInUse said:

It’s politically charged because conservatives decided that they don’t need science to decide how we should live our lives. They did it with the gays and they are doing it with trans people. They also complain about identity politics while they are deriding those of us that are different and giving us a single option. Turn straight, or to your birth gender, or receive our scorn. So when you complain about identity politics you are just carrying on in the conservative tradition we have grown to appreciate as a barricade to our mental health. I don’t trust that you meant the rest of what you said because of the loaded terms you used up front. Those terms speak to politicization of medical treatment, and that is the absolute wrong way to look at this. 

Not true.

 

The dispute is what I should be on the hook for financially.

 

IDGAF about what you or anyone else wants to call themselves.  Do it on your own fucking dime.

 

Just like everything else right now, this is not about freedom.  It's about extracting some sick sense of "retribution" against people who might disagree.  

 

Do whatever the fuck you want.  Don't tell me to pay for it.

Edited by slorch
Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 minutes ago, slorch said:

Not true.

 

The dispute is what I should be on the hook for financially.

 

IDGAF about what you or anyone else wants to call themselves.  Do it on your own fucking dime.

 

Just like everything else right now, this is not about freedom.  It's about extracting some sick sense of "retribution" against people who might disagree.  

 

Do whatever the fuck you want.  Don't tell me to pay for it.

Man, you really don't want to know what your health insurance premiums are paying for.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, David Dennison said:

Man, you really don't want to know what your health insurance premiums are paying for.

My health insurance is a group policy, not administered or funded  by the state.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, David Dennison said:

Which is exactly why we don't put issues that affect minority groups up to a popular vote.

I wasn't suggesting a vote. either.

 

Troph said my views are outdated and dwindling.  'tis false.

 

Edited by slorch
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...