Comments on: GID Group http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/2008/05/08/gid-group/ helen boyd's journal of gender & trans issues Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:17:33 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: kiri http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/2008/05/08/gid-group/comment-page-1/#comment-47654 kiri Fri, 09 May 2008 02:06:38 +0000 http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/?p=2048#comment-47654 I think that the written version leaves out stuff that's in the audio version, so some folks might prefer to listen. The Zucker-advocated treatment in of the child called Bradley in Wednesday's story was heartbreaking -- taking away the child's preferred clothes and toys, to the point of removing pink and lavender from the box of crayons. It sounds as if the child is learning to lie about her feelings, and to hide particular forms of self-expression. The second half of the series can be heard <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90273278" rel="nofollow">here</a>. I found the tone of the report to be frustratingly demeaning. I'm tired of being discussed like some newly-discovered species of pond scum under someone's microscope, and hearing the public being told that my identity is a disorder. Rather odd, too, coming from a reporter who wrote a rather unflattering article on the <a href="http://spiritualrecoveries.blogspot.com/2007/01/alix-spiegel-dictionary-of-disorder.html" rel="nofollow">origins of the DSM</a>. The <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90289426" rel="nofollow">letters</a> for Thursday 8 May even includes a slightly upscale version of the "God doesn't make mistakes" line. Why are ignorant people whose opinions of other people's lives given a hearing in a public forum? I think that the written version leaves out stuff that’s in the audio version, so some folks might prefer to listen.

The Zucker-advocated treatment in of the child called Bradley in Wednesday’s story was heartbreaking — taking away the child’s preferred clothes and toys, to the point of removing pink and lavender from the box of crayons. It sounds as if the child is learning to lie about her feelings, and to hide particular forms of self-expression.

The second half of the series can be heard here.

I found the tone of the report to be frustratingly demeaning. I’m tired of being discussed like some newly-discovered species of pond scum under someone’s microscope, and hearing the public being told that my identity is a disorder. Rather odd, too, coming from a reporter who wrote a rather unflattering article on the origins of the DSM.

The letters for Thursday 8 May even includes a slightly upscale version of the “God doesn’t make mistakes” line. Why are ignorant people whose opinions of other people’s lives given a hearing in a public forum?

]]> By: Emma G http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/2008/05/08/gid-group/comment-page-1/#comment-47637 Emma G Fri, 09 May 2008 00:16:51 +0000 http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/?p=2048#comment-47637 I spent much of the last several days doing whatever background research I could. Zucker has actually worked on the two previous DSM, so I'm not certain he could be removed easily. His professional affiliation with Blanchard, the fact that they both come from the same institute and are in agreement over preposterous theory is more questionable on ethic grounds. Thank you for the plea to professionals here. That's the most useful way I can think of to deal with this. I spent much of the last several days doing whatever background research I could. Zucker has actually worked on the two previous DSM, so I’m not certain he could be removed easily. His professional affiliation with Blanchard, the fact that they both come from the same institute and are in agreement over preposterous theory is more questionable on ethic grounds. Thank you for the plea to professionals here. That’s the most useful way I can think of to deal with this.

]]> By: LadyInWaiting http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/2008/05/08/gid-group/comment-page-1/#comment-47569 LadyInWaiting Thu, 08 May 2008 18:24:51 +0000 http://www.myhusbandbetty.com/?p=2048#comment-47569 Yesterday, I told my therapist about Zucker and Blanchard and the DSM. She hadn't known about it. Today, I sent her the a link to the story. It just so happens that a friend of mine sent me that NPR link yesterday, so today in my blog I posted links to both stories. My therapist thinks there is enough weight on the enlightened side to counter the influence of Zucker and Blanchard. I certainly hope she's right. I can only imagine how devastated I would feel if I sought help from a therapist who thought my life-long desire was wrong and harmful and that I needed to find a way to be happy--or at least to cope--as a male. - Veronique Yesterday, I told my therapist about Zucker and Blanchard and the DSM. She hadn’t known about it. Today, I sent her the a link to the story. It just so happens that a friend of mine sent me that NPR link yesterday, so today in my blog I posted links to both stories.

My therapist thinks there is enough weight on the enlightened side to counter the influence of Zucker and Blanchard. I certainly hope she’s right. I can only imagine how devastated I would feel if I sought help from a therapist who thought my life-long desire was wrong and harmful and that I needed to find a way to be happy–or at least to cope–as a male.

- Veronique

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