Chris and Jonathan talk to Michelle Cohen, MD, CCFP, FCFP, an assistant professor at Queen University’s Department of Family Medicine and a staff physician at Lakeview Family Health Team. Dr. Cohen provides gender-affirming care and is here to dispel myths surrounding trans people, especially the panic around the mistaken idea that children are being rushed to transition. If you have a child who is questioning their gender identity, make sure to listen to this episode before reading what the media typically reports on trans issues.

Of note, the “1 Million March for Children” is scheduled to take place on September 20th across Canada. It is part of our current anti-trans panic, with the organizers claiming to “peacefully protest against the push for LGBT ideology in schools.”

(2:10) What is gender-affirming care and how easy is it to access?

(8:39) Gender vs. sex

(13:44) Estrogen is not just for women

(19:08) Children are not being rushed through trans medical care

(23:15) Puberty blockers are not just for trans teens

(28:27) Transition surgeries are not happening for teens under the age of legal majority

(31:31) Is “trans” the new “emo?”

(35:30) Intersex people and non-consensual surgeries

(37:24) The media fuels the trans panic, which has ties to the anti-vaccine movement

(42:46) Canadian transphobia: imported or homegrown?

(45:28) Your kid is questioning their gender. Now what?

* Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl.

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Links:

1) The anonymous National Post editorial: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/np-view-canada-must-slow-down-and-reform-transgender-treatments-for-minors

2) The San Francisco Chronicle article by Soleil Ho: https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/article/new-york-times-trans-18214925.php

3) Michelle Cohen on X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/DocMCohen

4) Michelle Cohen on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/docmcohen.bsky.social

5) Michelle Cohen on Informed Opinions: https://informedopinions.org/view-expert-profile/?expert-id=45189