Hmmm... lots of thoughts. Here in Canada, it is so very different. From the youngest age--kindergarten and pre-... kids are being asked about not only their gender but their sexuality... A full set of curriculum (SOGI) has been developed... all in the hands of school teachers, who--to my mind--are not trained at all for this task. (We ask FAR too much of school teachers, in my opinion!)

We live in a world of instant "answers" and gratification. No one wants to wait for anything. And these questions take time and maturity.

I think it is note-worthy that countries that are generally vaunted for being progressive are being inexplicably ignored by Americans and Canadians as they make choices to repeal ages back up to age 18 (Sweden, for instance, had lowered the age for treatments, for several years, to age 15).

Notably, I have spoken with a lesbian friend of mine--age early 60s--who is beside herself with grief about what trans-activism (not necessarily trans-people themselves!) has done to her community and culture. in her life there are no young lesbians--they're all transitioning. And she knows far too many young people, now in their 20s, who regret--deeply--this choice.

There are MANY sides to this. Everyone either jumps to one side or the other. (Ironically... such binary thinking!) I most appreciate here how you, Walter, are slowly approaching, eyes open, with compassion foremost in your mind.

Some years ago, The Atlantic had a wonderful piece about how one family decided to take their time, and spend more time with their child. They traveled and hung out...and a few years later she thanked them for just giving her time, and not trundling her in to doctors' office and pushing in any way. There's a tendency now to move quickly.

All of us need to slow, and think. We don't do enough of slow-and-think.

Thanks for writing and posting this.