I agree that there is a great concern about an impulsive, youthful decisions with long-term impact. I do agree, also, with Emily that having a “standing” is going to be an important factor in the conversation. Perhaps, “Opposed” could research and find some facts about individuals that have regretted making these decisions.

Excelllent points about preferred name, pronouns, and relationship words!

LGBTQ youth often face bullying, threats of injury, and sexual violence. The following data on LGBTQ teenagers comes from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey:

10 percent were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property
34 percent were bullied on school property
28 percent experienced cyberbullying
23 percent who had dated someone during the 12 months before the survey had experienced sexual dating violence
18 percent students had experienced physical dating violence
Another 18 percent had been forced to have sexual intercourse at some point in their lives.

This kind of surgery isn’t whimsical. It is life-saving.

This is about having crucial conversations, not about forcing your opinions on someone else. Perhaps you should take the class and learn about this.

You do realize the topic isn’t the point, right? The point is HOW to have difficult/crucial conversations.

So many incorrect assumptions and statements here. It is a life-saving procedure for the patients. They’re simply trying to make their outside body look like their inside mind.

I agree whole-heartedly.

Let’s say you’re a person with female genitalia. And I tell you your entire life that you are a man and have to act and look like one. Or the opposite. How do you feel? Wouldn’t you think I’m nuts and it’s none of my business? Someone else’s gender is none of your business.

It’s clear the commenters picked up on some phrases that they cherry picked to support their point of view, not taking in the entirety of what Ms. Gregory’s advice was.