FSTDT

Dr. Miriam Grossman #fundie miriamgrossmanmd.com

Three Questions for the American Academy of Pediatrics

Regarding your June 24 policy statement on "Sexual Minority Youth":

1. You state that a teen who questions if he is male or female, or who wants his genitalia removed, is "normal, just different."

Given the physical differences between male and female are more substantial than between races, if an African American teen is convinced she is really Caucasian, is she also "normal, just different?" Should her pediatrician affirm her belief, and support her wish for facial surgery and skin bleaching?

2. If my son thinks he's a girl, you recommend I find him a therapist who will respect and affirm his belief.

But if my son is attracted to boys, and his urges feel foreign and distressing, you advise me to find a therapist who will tell him, "this is who you are, accept it."

Honestly, does that make sense?

3. You are calling on all pediatricians to fight homophobia and heterosexism. Per the FBI, the number of hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation bias is similar to those motivated by religious bias.

Will the AAP be calling on its members to fight society's irrational hatred of God-fearing people?

Dr. Miriam Grossman #fundie miriamgrossmanmd.com

[The topic is a sexual health program in some New York high schools that lets the school nurse provide emergency contraception.]

1. Sexual activity, pregnancy, and contraception are serious health matters. Parents, not schools, are responsible for decisions related to the welfare of their minor child. Schools undermine parental authority when they are complicit with a student's wishes to hide important health issues from her parents.

2. It cannot be assumed that EC [emergency contraception] decreases teen pregnancy. In fact, some studies indicate it may increase it, along with STDs, by increasing sexual activity.
It's not difficult to imagine how that could happen:

She: No, I don't want to... I could get pregnant.

He: No you won't. We have school tomorrow, and you can get one of this pills after history class.

3. The success of the program is measured by how many students use it. But the more sex students have, the more girls will need EC. This just isn't sound thinking.

4. It is highly likely that many parents never hear about the program. The girl who is most likely to need EC is also the girl who is most likely to not deliver the letter. [Parents can opt their students out of this program by sending a letter to the school.]

5. A common side effect of EC is headache. But girls who return to the nurse for Tylenol can't get it without parental consent!

Dr. Miriam Grossman #fundie miriamgrossmanmd.com

Have you guessed why I’m buying every copy of Are You My Mother? I can get my hands on?

Well, I believe it’s only a matter of time until this beloved classic is banned, because it’s based on these highly controversial ideas:

1. Everyone has a mother.

2. Everyone, especially a baby, has a unique, primal connection to his mother

3. Separation from his mother may lead to wondering where she is, and eventually to searching for her.

In case you haven't noticed, these views are under siege. Those who believe in them are called ugly names. They're considered intolerant and hateful. They're on the wrong side of "the biggest civil rights issue of our time."

[...]

So you see, this little book is heresy. Mark my words - It will disappear from libraries and bookstores. It may even go up in flames - think Fahrenheit 451.

Just a few will remain, but the book will have tremendous historical interest. (Some collectors may even value its moldy views on family, although they won't date say so.)

So there it is: low supply, high demand...and yours truly hits the jackpot.

My next money making scheme? I'm glad you asked. When I'm finished with Are You My Mother, I'll move on to buying all the copies I can find of Dr Seuss' Hop on Pop. Unless, of course, you grab them first.