British-Nigerian Minister Warns of Influencing Young Gay Individuals to Identify as Transgender

 

British-Nigerian minister Kemi Badenoch has informed UK MPs that there is substantial evidence suggesting that young individuals who identify as gay are being influenced to believe they are transgender instead.

The UK Equalities Minister stated that children may exhibit gender non-conforming behavior from an early age, which could be misinterpreted as a desire to identify with the opposite sex, potentially leading to irreversible medical interventions.

In a letter addressed to the Women and Equalities Committee, Badenoch referenced various studies supporting her assertion made last year regarding gender treatment being akin to a form of conversion therapy. She highlighted the prevalence of young gay individuals being told they are transgender, describing it as an almost epidemic phenomenon.

Badenoch emphasized the link between gender non-conformity in childhood and later identification as gay, citing studies dating back to 1999. She noted that a significant proportion of gender dysphoric children eventually identified as homosexual, rather than transgender, in follow-up studies.

Furthermore, Badenoch quoted German clinicians cautioning against early hormone therapy, which they suggested could interfere with the development of a homosexual identity.

Additionally, data from the NHS's Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) indicated that a majority of older patients referred to the clinic were not heterosexual, raising concerns about the clinic's practices.

Former GIDS staff interviews also expressed apprehension about the clinic potentially engaging in conversion therapy for gay individuals and influencing them to adopt a heterosexual identity.

Badenoch highlighted a significant increase in referrals to GIDS over the years, suggesting a concerning trend in the number of individuals seeking gender-related interventions.

Her remarks serve as a response to criticism from a Labour MP on the select committee, who accused her of equating young people coming out as transgender to the spread of a disease.