A judge from the London High Court has prohibited the parents of a teenager who is experiencing gender confusion from seeking a psychiatric evaluation for their kid before she undergoes a mastectomy.
Justice Alistair MacDonald labeled the parents of 17-year-old “EE” as “homophobic” in response to their request for an injunction to halt their child’s breast removal operation. EE, who identifies as “non-binary,” accused her parents of allegedly making derogatory remarks about those who are questioning their gender, which her parents have disputed. This comment is classified as hate speech in the UK, and anyone who make such statements can face a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a fine.
“I was being emotionally abused by my parents constantly because they would almost make comments to me about how identifying as transgender means I am mentally ill and they would constantly make homophobic/transphobic comments towards me and say things such as the reason LGBTQ+ is normal in the UK is because they are trying to reduce the population,” the girl told the judge, as reported by The Telegraph.
EE’s parents, who came to the UK along with EE, presented a statement from a psychiatrist in their home country. The letter confirmed that the girl had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had experienced a previous psychotic episode and catatonia. The parents requested a court injunction due to a documented history of mental illness in the family. They wanted to analyze EE’s mental state to determine if she is capable of making a significant decision that might greatly impact her life.
However, EE’s legal representatives argued that this request was “oppressive” and presented testimonies from social workers who described the teenager as a bright and determined individual, performing well academically, having strong friendships, and holding a significant role in the community.
Justice MacDonald asserted it would be “wholly disproportionate to permit an expert to examine” EE and said that given the girl’s imminent 18th birthday, there is no justification for granting an injunction. In the court’s perspective, the parents were stated to have made “homophobic comments,” while EE’s utilization of body piercings and chest binders was considered a manifestation of self-harm due to her perceived inability to “begin a genuine life.”
The judge further asserted that there is no substantiated evidence of EE’s mental illness. Additionally, the court noted that the parents’ previous demand on therapy for EE had some characteristics associated with “conversion therapy,” a practice that is shortly to be prohibited in the UK.
