Supervision of gender transitions for those under 18: the highly sensitive subject divides the Senate

Senator Jacqueline Eustache-Brinio (LR). MAXPPP – Vincent Isore

The proposed law on under-18s suffering from gender dysphoria is controversial.

On Tuesday evening, the Senate began examining a bill aimed at regulating gender transitions before the age of 18.

This highly sensitive text, defended by the senatorial right, provides for the ban on hormonal treatments and surgical interventions for gender dysphoria in those under 18.

And very strict supervision of prescriptions for "puberty blockers", molecules which suspend the development of so-called secondary sexual characteristics (chest, hair, voice).

These could only take place within "multidisciplinary reference centers", after at least two years of medical follow-up.

Do not accompany certain children too early towards things that are often irreversible

"A growing number of children and adolescents are questioning their sexual identity. We need to ask ourselves the right questions, so as not to lead certain children too early into things that are often irreversible", explains, in Le Monde, Senator Jacqueline Eustache-Brinio (LR), author of the bill.

"While we are seeing a step backwards in many European countries that were pioneers in the administration of medical treatments to minors, it seems urgent to us that France adopts a precautionary principle when it comes to the physical and mental health of our youth", she affirmed during the’ opening of debates.

"A transophobic report"

"The real problems you have are that trans people exist and you can't do anything to stop it and that’ rsquo;no law can do that",replied environmentalist Mélanie Vogel, who tried, in vain, to have a motion adopted to reject the text in advance.

This approach of the senatorial right is contested, in fact, by certain elected representatives of the left and several associations who recall that these recommendations find their origin in a senatorial report deemed "transophobic".

"The worst country in Europe in terms of legislation"

"This text is based on the principle that transition is a problem, a danger, and that to dissuade people from transitioning, it is enough to prohibit everything" , denounces former minister Laurence Rossignol (PS).

The rights defender, Claire Hédon, points out provisions likely to "undermine rights and the best interests"  children, citing suicide risks.

Leaving transgender teenagers stuck in unwanted puberty for two years "would be terrible for their mental health", alert, in Le Parisien, Louve Moulin, from the Tous des femmes association.

"This law would make France the worst country in Europe in terms of legislation on the subject, at the level of the most restrictive", deplores Anaïs Perrin-Prevelle, co-president of the OUTrans association. The government says it is determined, through the voice of the minister delegated to

What do the numbers say?

The fight against discrimination, Aurore Bergé, to fight "with force" this text. According to LCP, a working group, initiated by the High Authority of Health, should then present in the coming months recommendations for the care of transgender people aged 16 and over.

According to health insurance, the number of people suffering from a long-term condition for transidentity increased almost tenfold between 2013 and 2020, for settle at 8,952 people. Among them, minors remain a minority: 294 in 2020 compared to 8 in 2013.