Matters of Life and Death Gender dysphoria and trans children
Oct 29, 2025
Julie Maxwell, a community paediatrician and deputy director at Lovewise, shares her expertise on gender dysphoria in children. She discusses the rising cases and the impact of social media on youth identity. Julie critiques the weak evidence for puberty blockers and the complexities surrounding detransitioners. She emphasizes the importance of compassionate engagement from a Christian perspective, urging listeners to support vulnerable children while addressing the challenges within parental and school dynamics.
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How Julie Became Involved
- Julie Maxwell trained at the Tavistock and then became the departmental contact on gender issues.
- She later supported multiple families, especially Christian parents, facing children's gender distress.
What Gender Dysphoria Means
- Gender dysphoria describes intense unease from a mismatch between biological sex and gender identity.
- Julie Maxwell warns this distress can lead to depression and anxiety if unaddressed.
Gender Is Often The Tip Of The Iceberg
- Referred children often present with multiple, complex needs beyond gender concerns.
- Julie Maxwell says focusing only on gender creates diagnostic overshadowing and ignores other problems.
