The story drew much criticism on the X social media platform. The original post was full of comments saying Mary is too young for gender-affirmation, with some positing Mary may be a boy who likes feminine things rather than a transgender girl.
Mary’s Story
The foundation’s account of Mary’s experience starts by saying the child loves to dance, and magenta is Mary’s favourite colour. Mary started to feel like a girl at the age of seven. “Femininity—dresses, rainbows, and girl roles in games and on screen in Disney movies—felt like the only areas that truly aligned with her identity,” it says.It quotes the child: “I just wanted my name to be female and I still want my body parts to be female.”
The child’s parents are called “heroes” for supporting Mary in changing genders, including helping Mary choose a new name. They told the foundation they saw signs of Mary being a girl at the age of five.
“Mary has some big concerns about her life ahead as a transgender female,” it continues. Those concerns include not being able to have a baby and how to tell future boyfriends about the gender change.
It seems from the post that the child is not yet receiving any physical treatments, aside from perhaps being encouraged to engage in the practice of “penis-tucking.”
The post says Mary is “eagerly anticipating the day her doctors allow her to take hormones that will aid her transition.” It suggests binding as a way to “alleviate the discomfort of being in the wrong body.”
The post also suggests guidance in social transitioning, and having a speech pathologist help change the sound of the child’s voice to that of the desired gender.
The post heavily cites research and advice from “Dr. Bhatla, a pediatric resident at HSC Children’s Hospital.” The Epoch Times could not find any information about a Dr. Bhatla at the hospital.
Dr. Bhatla’s research, it says, shows health-care systems have a “structural transphobia.” This is evident, it says, in gender-transitioning children being called by their old pronouns. It also says gender-affirming treatments are not accessible enough; for example, a child may spend two years on a waiting list.
The doctor “advocates for a healthcare system that is not just supportive but actively seeks to empower.”
The post places an emphasis on Mary being “healthiest” when living as a girl and that her parents are “focused on her being happy and healthy.”
It says pediatricians and the Gender Diversity Affirmation and Action for Youth (GDAAY) program at the hospital have worked with Mary.
Adverse Effects
The extent to which children can receive gender-changing surgeries and treatments has been much-debated internationally. Some U.S. states have passed laws prohibiting sex-change surgeries for minors.At the national Conservative Party convention in September, delegates voted to adopt a policy proposal banning sex-change procedures for minors.
The policy says that a future Conservative government would “protect children by prohibiting life altering medicinal or surgical interventions on minors under 18 to treat gender confusion or dysphoria, and encourage positive mental and physical health support for all Canadians suffering from gender dysphoria and related mental health challenges.”
The policy is non-binding and it will be up to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre whether it is adopted.
