To the handful of DUers who haven't figured this out yet:

[Joe Nation]

160. Dude, I have three family members that are trans and you are vastly oversimplifying the issue.

The internet is one of the worst sources of information and it is especially bad for the younger trans community. Have you even looked at the rates of autism that are statically elevated in the trans community? I think that you would be shocked to know how prevalent autism is and how it affects the behavior of trans kids. Here is a few highlights from one study:

Highlights

•Results suggest substantial overlap between autism and transgender identity.

•Overlap may be greater in trans men than trans women.

•Depression and anxiety were highest in autistic-trans individuals.

Kids on the spectrum already feel alone and vulnerable and once they wonder into a trans online community, they suddenly feel accepted and while they may or may not be trans, they have an entire community telling them what they can do to get what they want even telling their parents that if they don't pay for surgery, they will kill themselves. Advice like this is dangerous.

I love and support each of my transgendered relative unlike some of the people in their families. They are struggling and need guidance and sometimes that guidance is either denied or goes overboard. I have a 26-year old nephew/niece that has been trans for over ten years and has come to the realization that they were guided by online communities of trans supporters and in fact, never were trans to begin with. Mind you, there have already been a few surgeries at this point. This young person is extremely autistic and was bullied as a child. They are currently transitioning back to a male.

This is just far more complicated than your tirade has indicated. You should not shut down people when they have genuine questions.