Abigail Thorn

In 2022 I made a video about my attempt to get gender-affirming care from the NHS entitled “I Emailed My Doctor 133 Times.” I showed that Britain operates a discriminatory healthcare system in which trans people have to beg permission to transition whilst the same medicine is available to cis people much easier. This results in years-long delays that have contributed to the deaths of multiple patients. I compared my odyssey through the system to the Joseph Heller novel Catch-22.

NHS England (NHSE) is holding a public consultation on a proposal to ban puberty blockers for transgender children. The consultation is open until November 1st. This article will explain the proposal in some detail with the aim of providing guidance for respondents. It will also explain the general context of NHSE’s treatment of trans patients so allies and activists who are not up to speed on the situation in the UK can understand what is happening and what must be done.

I would prefer to centre desire and will when talking about transition. To me, transition is more than meeting a medical need, just like crossing the Rubicon was more than Caesar getting his feet wet. It’s taking your life in your hands and shaping it yourself. I think that’s beautiful. I didn’t transition to “alleviate my dysphoria,” I transitioned because I fucking wanted to. Who is the state, or a doctor, to tell me I can’t?