Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) is under fire for offering “gender-affirming hysterectomy” and other surgeries for trans youth.
A hysterectomy is an invasive surgery that involves the removal of the uterus, cervix, and fallopian tubes. In most cases, a hysterectomy is performed to treat a serious condition like cancer or uterine fibroids. In this case, the hysterectomy is being performed to eliminate the chance of pregnancy and prevent menstruation, which plays a key role in puberty.
BCH also offers metoidioplasty, which refers to the creation of a non-functioning “penis” using skin taken from the thigh or forearm. The surgery, which requires hospitalization for a week or more, sometimes involves the insertion of a silicone-encased steel rod to make the “penis” maneuverable.
“A child will often know that they are transgender from the moment that they have any ability to express themselves,” said Dr. Jeremi Carswell, director of Gender Multispecialty Service at BCH, in a YouTube video that has since been deleted. Carswell continues by describing young trans individuals as a “growing population that we are seeing and that’s being recognized as trans and able to be treated.”
Carswell’s program, known as GeMS, is the nation’s first pediatric and adolescent transgender health program
Also featured in the video was Dr. Frances Grimstad, a BCH employee who describes herself as a health advocate for queer and trans individuals (see image above). The video earned so much backlash from the public that her bio was removed from the BCH website. In another YouTube video, Dr. Kerry McGregor – a psychologist who works in Carswell’s department – claims most trans kids “know as early as from the womb” that they are trans and confirmed the hospital treats children as young as age 2.
According to Carswell, early signs your child may be trans include:
- Refusing to stand while urinating (boys)
- Trying to stand while urinating (girls)
- Playing with toys designed for the opposite gender
- Trying on siblings’ clothing
As a tomboy growing up with a younger brother, I’ll admit I preferred Ninja Turtles to Barbies and may have tried to pee while standing – but this never meant that I was assigned the wrong gender at birth. In my experience, most kids enjoy trying on different types of clothing and will play with any toy they can get their hands on. Kids are naturally curious, and the fact that such traditional behaviors are leading to surgery is downright sickening.
BCH recently updated its age requirement for gender-affirming surgery from 17 to 18, but at least one doctor mentioned the policy was “flexible.” That same doctor argued in favor of genital surgery for girls because it can be inconvenient to use women’s restrooms in dorms if they still have male genitalia.
In addition to the surgeries noted above, BCH also offers chest reconstruction, breast augmentation, facial harmonization, and help with young trans individuals seeking to alter their clothing and use different pronouns.
Editor’s note: We are shocked and dismayed at the notion that professionals like this would be willing mutilate someone underage with these kinds of procedures.
Sources:
Boston Children’s Hospital Now Offers “Gender Affirming Hysterectomy” Treatments
Boston Children’s Hospital Updates Standards After Offering Sex Change Surgeries To Teens