You Must Be Some Kind of Therapist

“Intersex” is often considered part of the “LGBTQIA+” community. But how do people with this condition feel about their inclusion that category?

The more accurate and respectful term, “disorders of sexual development,” encompasses more than 40 different medical diagnoses. Today’s guest, James Linehan, has one such DSD. Undiagnosed until age 16, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism prevented James from experiencing normal puberty. James had to undergo extensive treatment, and will forever remain a lifelong medical patient, causing a cascade of impacts on his mind, body, and relationships.

James’ lived experiences give him a unique perspective on today’s fraught gender wars. After decades of living with his condition, James learned that his unique form of suffering is now being needlessly inflicted on vulnerable, otherwise physically healthy youth. Puberty blockers (GnRH agonists, such as Lupron), which are now commonly prescribed off-label to gender-questioning youth, induce conditions like James’, raising major ethical concerns.

Today we break down myths vs facts of DSDs and address what happens when identity politics and culture wars seek to appropriate real medical conditions faced by truly disadvantaged minorities. James expresses his frustration with the politicization of these conditions and the misrepresentation of the experiences of individuals with disorders of sexual development. We discuss the impact of his condition on fertility, relationships, and mental health.

Throughout the episode, James challenges misconceptions and encourages listeners to approach these topics with empathy and a willingness to learn. James's story sheds light on the complexities of living with a disorder of sexual development and the resilience required to navigate the medical and emotional challenges associated with it.

James Linehan is an IT and AI consulting professional with a background as an instructional resource specialist and an adjunct lecturer in sociology. He has a disorder of sexual development called hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, which he has been managing, medically, and learning about for over 40 years. James is passionate about raising awareness and understanding of diverse disorders of sexual development beyond the limited representation commonly discussed. He emphasizes the exploitation of individuals with DSDs and advocates for informed consent and ethical medical practices. He criticizes the politicization of intersex conditions and the distortion of narratives by trans activism. He wishes to share this long-term study about his condition, emphasizing that it is important to understand that Lupron causes iatrogenic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4380912/

Episode mentioned:

00:00 Start

00:04 Medicalization and human rights

04:28 Being politicized as a medical condition

09:03 Learning disabilities and neurologic problems

15:06 The good old days

19:09 Medically induced puberty

24:06 Infertility and treatment drawbacks

26:09 Painful and messy pellet injections

30:41 Puberty blockers and inadequate penile tissue

38:05 Emotions during puberty

41:15 Missed adolescent development

43:39 Infertility and relationships

49:57 Misinformation about transgender and hormones

52:39 Developmental disorders in gender dysphoria

56:43 Hormones and child development

01:02:07 Replicating Mother Nature's cocktail

01:07:23 XX males and biological sex

01:10:27 Trauma of medicalization and fertility

01:15:17 Ambitious doctors and unethical practices

01:21:10 Endocrinologists and growth hormones

01:24:38 Attempt to convert gay males

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Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.

Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.

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