Whistleblower vindicated after claiming transgender clinic hastily prescribed hormone drugs to kids

a reply to: quintessentone

well, it would only make sense that an internal investigation wouldn't find any wrong doing, it would save them lots of legal hassle and be easier to clean house without public scrutiny.

However, the article published by Assigned media uses this information from the Missouri Independent as its source, which when read can be seen to have been taken slightly out of context.
Washington University inquiry found allegations against Transgender Center ‘unsubstantiated’
While the source information does make the same claims, it also goes on to detail that

A spokeswoman for the attorney general said Washington University’s assertions “don’t line up with what we’ve uncovered so far in our investigation.”
The attorney general has thus far not released any details from his inquiry of the transgender center.

This just happens to be the same AG that helped pass a bill that would prevent "patient harm"

The article goes on to state

A key part of an affidavit Reed gave to the Missouri Attorney General is the mental health of patients. Reed alleges the center did not treat mental health and prescribed puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to patients with ongoing mental illness.

Hmmmm, I wonder where I've heard that before?

Looks like your last link was 404'd
regardless of the whistleblowers position in the organization, the claims are serious, I am glad the AG is not relying on an "internal investigation" to reveal the truth.

originally posted by: quintessentone
a reply to: AlienBorg


From your source: there were mitigating circumstances and priorities the clinic adhered to. Can't leave out important details like that.

In a statement, the university insisted the center prioritized mental health care and that “patients have ongoing relationships with mental health providers.”

Another point of view.

Among the outlets who credulously repeated Reed’s claims are NPR and New York Magazine. The inability of mainstream reporters to contextualize the flimsy, unsubstantiated allegations exposed the lack of deep knowledge of transgender medical care, and the damage their confusion and lack of professionalism could cause. Despite mountains of evidence supporting the conclusion that gender-affirming care is necessary and lifesaving, that it has been used sparingly and with tremendous restraint, and that an astonishingly low number of patients express regret, reporters seem unwilling or unable to contextualize right wing attacks.

www.assignedmedia.org...

And yet more opinions from actual parents of patients, the ones that really matter:

Almost two dozen parents of children seen at the clinic, which opened in 2017, say their experiences sharply contradict the examples supplied by Jamie Reed, a case manager who left the WU center after being employed there for more than four years. Reed outlined her concerns in an article published online Feb. 9; her sworn affidavit, which included additional allegations, was released that day by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who is leading a state investigation.

But parents interviewed by the Post-Dispatch cast doubt on Reed’s ability to know what happened inside exam rooms as an employee who did not have a medical or managerial role, and whom they rarely saw. The case manager’s job duties, as described in a Washington U. posting, comprise patient intake, scheduling appointments and providing information about community resources to families.

Rather than the “rapid medicalization” and “poor assessment of mental health concerns” that Reed cited in a complaint sent to Bailey in January, parents reported a well-defined, step-by-step approach that could be halted at any time.

www.stltoday.com... b0c7-9fefb9e8e9f4.html

Looks like the whistleblower was just a scheduling clerk.

I see you came to offer the usual defending for the trans lobby but it's too late I am afraid. She has exposed the trans agenda beyond repair and Missouri has banned 'gender affirming care' for minors. It's now illegal in the state of Missouri thanks to people like her and many others.

Btw your link doesn't work and even if it did there is nothing valuable there.

Your attempt has failed as always.

originally posted by: datguy
a reply to: quintessentone

well, it would only make sense that an internal investigation wouldn't find any wrong doing, it would save them lots of legal hassle and be easier to clean house without public scrutiny.

However, the article published by Assigned media uses this information from the Missouri Independent as its source, which when read can be seen to have been taken slightly out of context.
Washington University inquiry found allegations against Transgender Center ‘unsubstantiated’
While the source information does make the same claims, it also goes on to detail that

A spokeswoman for the attorney general said Washington University’s assertions “don’t line up with what we’ve uncovered so far in our investigation.”
The attorney general has thus far not released any details from his inquiry of the transgender center.

This just happens to be the same AG that helped pass a bill that would prevent "patient harm"

The article goes on to state

A key part of an affidavit Reed gave to the Missouri Attorney General is the mental health of patients. Reed alleges the center did not treat mental health and prescribed puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to patients with ongoing mental illness.

Hmmmm, I wonder where I've heard that before?

Looks like your last link was 404'd
regardless of the whistleblowers position in the organization, the claims are serious, I am glad the AG is not relying on an "internal investigation" to reveal the truth.

Based ^

As well as reminding the member Missouri has banned 'gender affirming care' for minors. It's now illegal thanks to people like her and many others.

originally posted by: quintessentone
a reply to: AlienBorg


From your source: there were mitigating circumstances and priorities the clinic adhered to. Can't leave out important details like that.

In a statement, the university insisted the center prioritized mental health care and that “patients have ongoing relationships with mental health providers.”

Another point of view.

Among the outlets who credulously repeated Reed’s claims are NPR and New York Magazine. The inability of mainstream reporters to contextualize the flimsy, unsubstantiated allegations exposed the lack of deep knowledge of transgender medical care, and the damage their confusion and lack of professionalism could cause. Despite mountains of evidence supporting the conclusion that gender-affirming care is necessary and lifesaving, that it has been used sparingly and with tremendous restraint, and that an astonishingly low number of patients express regret, reporters seem unwilling or unable to contextualize right wing attacks.

www.assignedmedia.org...

And yet more opinions from actual parents of patients, the ones that really matter:

Almost two dozen parents of children seen at the clinic, which opened in 2017, say their experiences sharply contradict the examples supplied by Jamie Reed, a case manager who left the WU center after being employed there for more than four years. Reed outlined her concerns in an article published online Feb. 9; her sworn affidavit, which included additional allegations, was released that day by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who is leading a state investigation.

But parents interviewed by the Post-Dispatch cast doubt on Reed’s ability to know what happened inside exam rooms as an employee who did not have a medical or managerial role, and whom they rarely saw. The case manager’s job duties, as described in a Washington U. posting, comprise patient intake, scheduling appointments and providing information about community resources to families.

Rather than the “rapid medicalization” and “poor assessment of mental health concerns” that Reed cited in a complaint sent to Bailey in January, parents reported a well-defined, step-by-step approach that could be halted at any time.

www.stltoday.com... b0c7-9fefb9e8e9f4.html

Looks like the whistleblower was just a scheduling clerk.

According to an internal investigation by Washington University, the Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital followed appropriate standards of care, and allegations to the contrary by former clinic worker Jamie Reed were not substantiated. The results of the investigation were released Friday, according to stories in the Missouri Independent and other mainstream news

That's according to the internal investigations...but who is going to trust or rely on internal investigations to find the truth?

Is this your evidence or counterpoint?? All internal investigations are bounded to find no errors of judgment, no wrongdoings, no malpractices, nothing wrong.

The fact you choose to present it as evidence shows you don't really understand what you link when you don't like this 404 pages...

originally posted by: quintessentone
a reply to: AlienBorg

Looks like the whistleblower was just a scheduling clerk.

Hmmm, I think not.

I am a 42-year-old St. Louis native, a queer woman, and politically to the left of Bernie Sanders. My worldview has deeply shaped my career. I have spent my professional life providing counseling to vulnerable populations: children in foster care, sexual minorities, the poor.

For almost four years, I worked at The Washington University School of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases with teens and young adults who were HIV positive. Many of them were trans or otherwise gender nonconforming, and I could relate: Through childhood and adolescence, I did a lot of gender questioning myself. I’m now married to a transman, and together we are raising my two biological children from a previous marriage and three foster children we hope to adopt.

All that led me to a job in 2018 as a case manager at The Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital, which had been established a year earlier.

www.thefp.com...

CASE MANAGER manages cases. They also do a lot of reviewing of cases! Shocked face. That means a ton of reading and analyzing situation to MANAGE them. It's not something parents would necessarily be aware of. A case manager:

Accomplishes clients' care by assessing treatment needs; developing, monitoring, and evaluating treatment plans and progress; facilitating interdisciplinary approaches; monitoring staff performance.

I'm a dolt. Probably the lowest on the ladder of intelligence here on ATS. Please quit trying to vie for my position here on ATS. Thank you very much.

This is a serious issue with horrendous consequences should a mentally fragile person make a decision about while their brains are in a confused state.

originally posted by: StoutBroux

originally posted by: quintessentone
a reply to: AlienBorg

Looks like the whistleblower was just a scheduling clerk.

Hmmm, I think not.

I am a 42-year-old St. Louis native, a queer woman, and politically to the left of Bernie Sanders. My worldview has deeply shaped my career. I have spent my professional life providing counseling to vulnerable populations: children in foster care, sexual minorities, the poor.

For almost four years, I worked at The Washington University School of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases with teens and young adults who were HIV positive. Many of them were trans or otherwise gender nonconforming, and I could relate: Through childhood and adolescence, I did a lot of gender questioning myself. I’m now married to a transman, and together we are raising my two biological children from a previous marriage and three foster children we hope to adopt.

All that led me to a job in 2018 as a case manager at The Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital, which had been established a year earlier.

www.thefp.com...

CASE MANAGER manages cases. They also do a lot of reviewing of cases! Shocked face. That means a ton of reading and analyzing situation to MANAGE them. It's not something parents would necessarily be aware of. A case manager:

Accomplishes clients' care by assessing treatment needs; developing, monitoring, and evaluating treatment plans and progress; facilitating interdisciplinary approaches; monitoring staff performance.

I'm a dolt. Probably the lowest on the ladder of intelligence here on ATS. Please quit trying to vie for my position here on ATS. Thank you very much.

This is a serious issue with horrendous consequences should a mentally fragile person make a decision about while their brains are in a confused state.

a reply to: StoutBroux

Here are the family's experiences and some had bad experiences with this whistleblower: Intent, people, intent...

I'll go with what parents of patients had to say not the whistleblower who obviously had no relevant experience in how the process worked:

At the time, several families of patients lashed out saying Reed’s allegations didn’t align with their experiences.

“The idea that nobody got information, that everybody was pushed toward treatment, is just not true. It’s devastating,” Kim Hutton, whose son was a patient at the center, told the St. Louis Dispatch. “I’m baffled by it.”

Another opinion, this time from other co-workers of hers:

The picture painted by whistleblower Jamie Reed of how patients were treated at the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital doesn’t match Jess Jones’ experience.

Jones worked alongside Reed for two years as the center’s educational coordinator before resigning in 2020. The allegations of misconduct laid out by Reed — both on a national news website called The Free Press and in an affidavit with the Missouri attorney general’s office — simply don’t match the reality during the time they worked together, Jones said.

“I feel like I could go line by line to her affidavit,” Jones said, “and debunk it all.”

And Jones is not alone.

The Independent spoke with numerous former patients of the Transgender Center, as well as parents of former patients. Some were eager to share their story, inspired by the onslaught of attention the center has received since Reed’s affidavit caused three state agencies to launch an investigation into its practices.

“Everything took a really really long time to get going,” he said.

The Transgender Center’s endocrinologist didn’t think he was ready for hormones after his first appointment because he wasn’t “out” yet at school, he said.

“Everything was so slow,” he said, later adding:. “Everything is so restricted and difficult for any kind of trans health care, particularly if you’re a minor.”

He opted to get “top surgery,” which removes breast tissue, a few weeks after he turned 18.

Reed’s affidavit to Attorney General Andrew Bailey alleges the Transgender Center quickly gave children hormones. The center “gave children puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones after just two one-hour visits (one with a therapist and one with a doctor at the Center),” she wrote in the affidavit.

Parents and former patients told The Independent it took months and multiple appointments before their transgender children received a puberty blocker or hormone treatment.

Rene and Kyle Freels called the Transgender Center in June of 2021 for their daughter. Reed answered the phone.

“What do you want from us?” Kyle Freels recalls Reed asking.

“I thought she had some sort of an agenda. Like the first time we called, she answered the phone. She was the opposite of helpful,” he said.

“We did give out the information of surgeons,” Jones said, “but we never referred for surgery.”

Jones said the center had one in-house psychiatrist but referred patients to other providers in the area and within St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

“It is true that many patients came in anxious and depressed, whether that was a diagnosis or just symptoms, but from my experience, that was alleviated with the start of gender affirming hormones,” Jones said.

The families noticed a positive difference after their child received gender-affirming care.

Maclean has been given handouts with testosterone side effects listed and warnings about things Reed alleges goes unaddressed by the Transgender Center, like vaginal atrophy.

“​​I think these little bits have been cherry picked from people who maybe didn’t pay attention,” Maclean said.

“We were not rushed into it,” Danielle said. “We were not uninformed. Everything that I’ve read in the affidavit, the opposite is true for us.”

Jones said the center did not coerce consent.

“We were very adamant in my time working there that all guardians had to consent, and they needed to be present and receive informed consent around treatment,” Jones said.

Jones said physicians presented research that showed a lower rate of suicide with gender-affirming care as they explained the benefits and side-effects of hormones.

missouriindependent.com...#:~:text=The%20picture%20painted%20by%20whistleblower,t%20match%20Jess%2 0Jones'%20experience.

We all have to look at both sides now.

I am all for whistleblowing to force entities to be investigated and that is what was done here and that's good as the clinic made some administrative changes but absolutely no changes were made to the WPATH treatment process, which this employee obviously was not in any important position of authority with the psychiatric and endocrinology aspect of it.

originally posted by: quintessentone
a reply to: StoutBroux

Here are the family's experiences and some had bad experiences with this whistleblower: Intent, people, intent...

I'll go with what parents of patients had to say not the whistleblower who obviously had no relevant experience in how the process worked:

At the time, several families of patients lashed out saying Reed’s allegations didn’t align with their experiences.

“The idea that nobody got information, that everybody was pushed toward treatment, is just not true. It’s devastating,” Kim Hutton, whose son was a patient at the center, told the St. Louis Dispatch. “I’m baffled by it.”

Another opinion, this time from other co-workers of hers:

The picture painted by whistleblower Jamie Reed of how patients were treated at the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital doesn’t match Jess Jones’ experience.

Jones worked alongside Reed for two years as the center’s educational coordinator before resigning in 2020. The allegations of misconduct laid out by Reed — both on a national news website called The Free Press and in an affidavit with the Missouri attorney general’s office — simply don’t match the reality during the time they worked together, Jones said.

“I feel like I could go line by line to her affidavit,” Jones said, “and debunk it all.”

And Jones is not alone.

The Independent spoke with numerous former patients of the Transgender Center, as well as parents of former patients. Some were eager to share their story, inspired by the onslaught of attention the center has received since Reed’s affidavit caused three state agencies to launch an investigation into its practices.

“Everything took a really really long time to get going,” he said.

The Transgender Center’s endocrinologist didn’t think he was ready for hormones after his first appointment because he wasn’t “out” yet at school, he said.

“Everything was so slow,” he said, later adding:. “Everything is so restricted and difficult for any kind of trans health care, particularly if you’re a minor.”

He opted to get “top surgery,” which removes breast tissue, a few weeks after he turned 18.

Reed’s affidavit to Attorney General Andrew Bailey alleges the Transgender Center quickly gave children hormones. The center “gave children puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones after just two one-hour visits (one with a therapist and one with a doctor at the Center),” she wrote in the affidavit.

Parents and former patients told The Independent it took months and multiple appointments before their transgender children received a puberty blocker or hormone treatment.

Rene and Kyle Freels called the Transgender Center in June of 2021 for their daughter. Reed answered the phone.

“What do you want from us?” Kyle Freels recalls Reed asking.

“I thought she had some sort of an agenda. Like the first time we called, she answered the phone. She was the opposite of helpful,” he said.

“We did give out the information of surgeons,” Jones said, “but we never referred for surgery.”

Jones said the center had one in-house psychiatrist but referred patients to other providers in the area and within St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

“It is true that many patients came in anxious and depressed, whether that was a diagnosis or just symptoms, but from my experience, that was alleviated with the start of gender affirming hormones,” Jones said.

The families noticed a positive difference after their child received gender-affirming care.

Maclean has been given handouts with testosterone side effects listed and warnings about things Reed alleges goes unaddressed by the Transgender Center, like vaginal atrophy.

“​​I think these little bits have been cherry picked from people who maybe didn’t pay attention,” Maclean said.

“We were not rushed into it,” Danielle said. “We were not uninformed. Everything that I’ve read in the affidavit, the opposite is true for us.”

Jones said the center did not coerce consent.

“We were very adamant in my time working there that all guardians had to consent, and they needed to be present and receive informed consent around treatment,” Jones said.

Jones said physicians presented research that showed a lower rate of suicide with gender-affirming care as they explained the benefits and side-effects of hormones.

missouriindependent.com...#:~:text=The%20picture%20painted%20by%20whistleblower,t%20match%20Jess%2 0Jones'%20experience.

We all have to look at both sides now.

I am all for whistleblowing to force entities to be investigated and that is what was done here and that's good as the clinic made some administrative changes but absolutely no changes were made to the WPATH treatment process, which this employee obviously was not in any important position of authority with the psychiatric and endocrinology aspect of it.

Not everyone has had the same experiences. Not a great argument.

In the meantime the New York Times was able to verify much of what she said and on the top of this Missouri banned 'gender affirming care' for minors. It's now illegal because of the very damning cases and serious concerns over this type of 'care'.

I know that denialism and whataboutism as well as deception are key elements of the trans lobby but fortunately it doesn't have an impact on how the rest think of these affirming nonsense.

a reply to: AlienBorg

It’s illegal because of moral panic and ignorant political legislating of something “they” know nothing about — and chosen blindness to a real “condition”.

a reply to: quintessentone

More anecdotal cherry picking. Is it at all possible that while some doctors choose to play safe and were actually good for parents and children, that others rushed the process and were a danger to other families?
Oh they must have been extremist and transphobic that's why, right?
From the same article, there are testimonies of co workers and patients alike who support Reed.

“I do not believe it can continue to function,” said Reed, who is married to a transgender man.

“You want it closed down,” Yoffe inquired.

“I believe it’s the only way to stop hurting more kids,” Reed said.

Reed’s attorney, Vernadette Broyles, said Wednesday that it is not surprising that the only patients speaking up are those who have had good experiences.

Broyles said those unhappy with their transition often feel pressure to stay quiet. She said she’s heard from many former patients nationwide who have come to regret their treatment.

“After trying to make changes happen internally, [the center directors] were just not going to honor her concerns. She appropriately made a complaint to the right governing official, and under Missouri law that’s the attorney general,” Broyles said.

She said Reed sought sanctuary under the state’s Whistleblower’s Protection Act, which states workplaces can’t fire an employee that reports an “unlawful act” committed by the employer.

The majority of the quotes you presented dont even come from that source

originally posted by: AlienBorg

originally posted by: quintessentone
a reply to: StoutBroux

Here are the family's experiences and some had bad experiences with this whistleblower: Intent, people, intent...

I'll go with what parents of patients had to say not the whistleblower who obviously had no relevant experience in how the process worked:

At the time, several families of patients lashed out saying Reed’s allegations didn’t align with their experiences.

“The idea that nobody got information, that everybody was pushed toward treatment, is just not true. It’s devastating,” Kim Hutton, whose son was a patient at the center, told the St. Louis Dispatch. “I’m baffled by it.”

Another opinion, this time from other co-workers of hers:

The picture painted by whistleblower Jamie Reed of how patients were treated at the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital doesn’t match Jess Jones’ experience.

Jones worked alongside Reed for two years as the center’s educational coordinator before resigning in 2020. The allegations of misconduct laid out by Reed — both on a national news website called The Free Press and in an affidavit with the Missouri attorney general’s office — simply don’t match the reality during the time they worked together, Jones said.

“I feel like I could go line by line to her affidavit,” Jones said, “and debunk it all.”

And Jones is not alone.

The Independent spoke with numerous former patients of the Transgender Center, as well as parents of former patients. Some were eager to share their story, inspired by the onslaught of attention the center has received since Reed’s affidavit caused three state agencies to launch an investigation into its practices.

“Everything took a really really long time to get going,” he said.

The Transgender Center’s endocrinologist didn’t think he was ready for hormones after his first appointment because he wasn’t “out” yet at school, he said.

“Everything was so slow,” he said, later adding:. “Everything is so restricted and difficult for any kind of trans health care, particularly if you’re a minor.”

He opted to get “top surgery,” which removes breast tissue, a few weeks after he turned 18.

Reed’s affidavit to Attorney General Andrew Bailey alleges the Transgender Center quickly gave children hormones. The center “gave children puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones after just two one-hour visits (one with a therapist and one with a doctor at the Center),” she wrote in the affidavit.

Parents and former patients told The Independent it took months and multiple appointments before their transgender children received a puberty blocker or hormone treatment.

Rene and Kyle Freels called the Transgender Center in June of 2021 for their daughter. Reed answered the phone.

“What do you want from us?” Kyle Freels recalls Reed asking.

“I thought she had some sort of an agenda. Like the first time we called, she answered the phone. She was the opposite of helpful,” he said.

“We did give out the information of surgeons,” Jones said, “but we never referred for surgery.”

Jones said the center had one in-house psychiatrist but referred patients to other providers in the area and within St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

“It is true that many patients came in anxious and depressed, whether that was a diagnosis or just symptoms, but from my experience, that was alleviated with the start of gender affirming hormones,” Jones said.

The families noticed a positive difference after their child received gender-affirming care.

Maclean has been given handouts with testosterone side effects listed and warnings about things Reed alleges goes unaddressed by the Transgender Center, like vaginal atrophy.

“​​I think these little bits have been cherry picked from people who maybe didn’t pay attention,” Maclean said.

“We were not rushed into it,” Danielle said. “We were not uninformed. Everything that I’ve read in the affidavit, the opposite is true for us.”

Jones said the center did not coerce consent.

“We were very adamant in my time working there that all guardians had to consent, and they needed to be present and receive informed consent around treatment,” Jones said.

Jones said physicians presented research that showed a lower rate of suicide with gender-affirming care as they explained the benefits and side-effects of hormones.

missouriindependent.com...#:~:text=The%20picture%20painted%20by%20whistleblower,t%20match%20Jess%2 0Jones'%20experience.

We all have to look at both sides now.

I am all for whistleblowing to force entities to be investigated and that is what was done here and that's good as the clinic made some administrative changes but absolutely no changes were made to the WPATH treatment process, which this employee obviously was not in any important position of authority with the psychiatric and endocrinology aspect of it.

Not everyone has had the same experiences. Not a great argument.

In the meantime the New York Times was able to verify much of what she said and on the top of this Missouri banned 'gender affirming care' for minors. It's now illegal because of the very damning cases and serious concerns over this type of 'care'.

I know that denialism and whataboutism as well as deception are key elements of the trans lobby but fortunately it doesn't have an impact on how the rest think of these affirming nonsense.

It does not matter what the NYT verified because the clinic only changed some administrative policies none of the transgender treatment processes were changed because they follow WPATH standards of care. And Missouri's law is next on the federal court dockets list...to be struck down or parts thereof because why? because unconstitutional.

originally posted by: quintessentone

originally posted by: AlienBorg

originally posted by: quintessentone
a reply to: StoutBroux

Here are the family's experiences and some had bad experiences with this whistleblower: Intent, people, intent...

I'll go with what parents of patients had to say not the whistleblower who obviously had no relevant experience in how the process worked:

At the time, several families of patients lashed out saying Reed’s allegations didn’t align with their experiences.

“The idea that nobody got information, that everybody was pushed toward treatment, is just not true. It’s devastating,” Kim Hutton, whose son was a patient at the center, told the St. Louis Dispatch. “I’m baffled by it.”

Another opinion, this time from other co-workers of hers:

The picture painted by whistleblower Jamie Reed of how patients were treated at the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital doesn’t match Jess Jones’ experience.

Jones worked alongside Reed for two years as the center’s educational coordinator before resigning in 2020. The allegations of misconduct laid out by Reed — both on a national news website called The Free Press and in an affidavit with the Missouri attorney general’s office — simply don’t match the reality during the time they worked together, Jones said.

“I feel like I could go line by line to her affidavit,” Jones said, “and debunk it all.”

And Jones is not alone.

The Independent spoke with numerous former patients of the Transgender Center, as well as parents of former patients. Some were eager to share their story, inspired by the onslaught of attention the center has received since Reed’s affidavit caused three state agencies to launch an investigation into its practices.

“Everything took a really really long time to get going,” he said.

The Transgender Center’s endocrinologist didn’t think he was ready for hormones after his first appointment because he wasn’t “out” yet at school, he said.

“Everything was so slow,” he said, later adding:. “Everything is so restricted and difficult for any kind of trans health care, particularly if you’re a minor.”

He opted to get “top surgery,” which removes breast tissue, a few weeks after he turned 18.

Reed’s affidavit to Attorney General Andrew Bailey alleges the Transgender Center quickly gave children hormones. The center “gave children puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones after just two one-hour visits (one with a therapist and one with a doctor at the Center),” she wrote in the affidavit.

Parents and former patients told The Independent it took months and multiple appointments before their transgender children received a puberty blocker or hormone treatment.

Rene and Kyle Freels called the Transgender Center in June of 2021 for their daughter. Reed answered the phone.

“What do you want from us?” Kyle Freels recalls Reed asking.

“I thought she had some sort of an agenda. Like the first time we called, she answered the phone. She was the opposite of helpful,” he said.

“We did give out the information of surgeons,” Jones said, “but we never referred for surgery.”

Jones said the center had one in-house psychiatrist but referred patients to other providers in the area and within St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

“It is true that many patients came in anxious and depressed, whether that was a diagnosis or just symptoms, but from my experience, that was alleviated with the start of gender affirming hormones,” Jones said.

The families noticed a positive difference after their child received gender-affirming care.

Maclean has been given handouts with testosterone side effects listed and warnings about things Reed alleges goes unaddressed by the Transgender Center, like vaginal atrophy.

“​​I think these little bits have been cherry picked from people who maybe didn’t pay attention,” Maclean said.

“We were not rushed into it,” Danielle said. “We were not uninformed. Everything that I’ve read in the affidavit, the opposite is true for us.”

Jones said the center did not coerce consent.

“We were very adamant in my time working there that all guardians had to consent, and they needed to be present and receive informed consent around treatment,” Jones said.

Jones said physicians presented research that showed a lower rate of suicide with gender-affirming care as they explained the benefits and side-effects of hormones.

missouriindependent.com...#:~:text=The%20picture%20painted%20by%20whistleblower,t%20match%20Jess%2 0Jones'%20experience.

We all have to look at both sides now.

I am all for whistleblowing to force entities to be investigated and that is what was done here and that's good as the clinic made some administrative changes but absolutely no changes were made to the WPATH treatment process, which this employee obviously was not in any important position of authority with the psychiatric and endocrinology aspect of it.

Not everyone has had the same experiences. Not a great argument.

In the meantime the New York Times was able to verify much of what she said and on the top of this Missouri banned 'gender affirming care' for minors. It's now illegal because of the very damning cases and serious concerns over this type of 'care'.

I know that denialism and whataboutism as well as deception are key elements of the trans lobby but fortunately it doesn't have an impact on how the rest think of these affirming nonsense.

It does not matter what the NYT verified because the clinic only changed some administrative policies none of the transgender treatment processes were changed because they follow WPATH standards of care. And Missouri's law is next on the federal court dockets list...to be struck down or parts thereof because why? because unconstitutional.

It does.
It is now clear the whistleblower had been vindicated and her accounts were true.

The internal investigations you have linked are worthless as every internal investigation will eventually dismiss whistleblower claims.

There are several states that have banned 'gender affirming care' for minors. Not a single one has reversed it and it's so unlikely they will do in the future.

Your denialism is noted though.

You need to come to terms with reality. 'Gender affirming care' is illegal in Missouri thanks to prole like this whistleblower and others.

originally posted by: Annee
a reply to: AlienBorg

It’s illegal because of moral panic and ignorant political legislating of something “they” know nothing about — and chosen blindness to a real “condition”.

Not at all.
Hormones-drugs, 'puberty blockers', and body part mutilations are the main reasons. They're really harmful for kids.

originally posted by: datguy
a reply to: quintessentone

More anecdotal cherry picking. Is it at all possible that while some doctors choose to play safe and were actually good for parents and children, that others rushed the process and were a danger to other families?
Oh they must have been extremist and transphobic that's why, right?
From the same article, there are testimonies of co workers and patients alike who support Reed.

“I do not believe it can continue to function,” said Reed, who is married to a transgender man.

“You want it closed down,” Yoffe inquired.

“I believe it’s the only way to stop hurting more kids,” Reed said.

Reed’s attorney, Vernadette Broyles, said Wednesday that it is not surprising that the only patients speaking up are those who have had good experiences.

Broyles said those unhappy with their transition often feel pressure to stay quiet. She said she’s heard from many former patients nationwide who have come to regret their treatment.

“After trying to make changes happen internally, [the center directors] were just not going to honor her concerns. She appropriately made a complaint to the right governing official, and under Missouri law that’s the attorney general,” Broyles said.

She said Reed sought sanctuary under the state’s Whistleblower’s Protection Act, which states workplaces can’t fire an employee that reports an “unlawful act” committed by the employer.

The majority of the quotes you presented dont even come from that source

They don't even realise 'gender affirming care' is now illegal in Missouri. They're in complete denial.

originally posted by: AlienBorg

originally posted by: quintessentone

originally posted by: AlienBorg

originally posted by: quintessentone
a reply to: StoutBroux

Here are the family's experiences and some had bad experiences with this whistleblower: Intent, people, intent...

I'll go with what parents of patients had to say not the whistleblower who obviously had no relevant experience in how the process worked:

At the time, several families of patients lashed out saying Reed’s allegations didn’t align with their experiences.

“The idea that nobody got information, that everybody was pushed toward treatment, is just not true. It’s devastating,” Kim Hutton, whose son was a patient at the center, told the St. Louis Dispatch. “I’m baffled by it.”

Another opinion, this time from other co-workers of hers:

The picture painted by whistleblower Jamie Reed of how patients were treated at the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital doesn’t match Jess Jones’ experience.

Jones worked alongside Reed for two years as the center’s educational coordinator before resigning in 2020. The allegations of misconduct laid out by Reed — both on a national news website called The Free Press and in an affidavit with the Missouri attorney general’s office — simply don’t match the reality during the time they worked together, Jones said.

“I feel like I could go line by line to her affidavit,” Jones said, “and debunk it all.”

And Jones is not alone.

The Independent spoke with numerous former patients of the Transgender Center, as well as parents of former patients. Some were eager to share their story, inspired by the onslaught of attention the center has received since Reed’s affidavit caused three state agencies to launch an investigation into its practices.

“Everything took a really really long time to get going,” he said.

The Transgender Center’s endocrinologist didn’t think he was ready for hormones after his first appointment because he wasn’t “out” yet at school, he said.

“Everything was so slow,” he said, later adding:. “Everything is so restricted and difficult for any kind of trans health care, particularly if you’re a minor.”

He opted to get “top surgery,” which removes breast tissue, a few weeks after he turned 18.

Reed’s affidavit to Attorney General Andrew Bailey alleges the Transgender Center quickly gave children hormones. The center “gave children puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones after just two one-hour visits (one with a therapist and one with a doctor at the Center),” she wrote in the affidavit.

Parents and former patients told The Independent it took months and multiple appointments before their transgender children received a puberty blocker or hormone treatment.

Rene and Kyle Freels called the Transgender Center in June of 2021 for their daughter. Reed answered the phone.

“What do you want from us?” Kyle Freels recalls Reed asking.

“I thought she had some sort of an agenda. Like the first time we called, she answered the phone. She was the opposite of helpful,” he said.

“We did give out the information of surgeons,” Jones said, “but we never referred for surgery.”

Jones said the center had one in-house psychiatrist but referred patients to other providers in the area and within St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

“It is true that many patients came in anxious and depressed, whether that was a diagnosis or just symptoms, but from my experience, that was alleviated with the start of gender affirming hormones,” Jones said.

The families noticed a positive difference after their child received gender-affirming care.

Maclean has been given handouts with testosterone side effects listed and warnings about things Reed alleges goes unaddressed by the Transgender Center, like vaginal atrophy.

“​​I think these little bits have been cherry picked from people who maybe didn’t pay attention,” Maclean said.

“We were not rushed into it,” Danielle said. “We were not uninformed. Everything that I’ve read in the affidavit, the opposite is true for us.”

Jones said the center did not coerce consent.

“We were very adamant in my time working there that all guardians had to consent, and they needed to be present and receive informed consent around treatment,” Jones said.

Jones said physicians presented research that showed a lower rate of suicide with gender-affirming care as they explained the benefits and side-effects of hormones.

missouriindependent.com...#:~:text=The%20picture%20painted%20by%20whistleblower,t%20match%20Jess%2 0Jones'%20experience.

We all have to look at both sides now.

I am all for whistleblowing to force entities to be investigated and that is what was done here and that's good as the clinic made some administrative changes but absolutely no changes were made to the WPATH treatment process, which this employee obviously was not in any important position of authority with the psychiatric and endocrinology aspect of it.

Not everyone has had the same experiences. Not a great argument.

In the meantime the New York Times was able to verify much of what she said and on the top of this Missouri banned 'gender affirming care' for minors. It's now illegal because of the very damning cases and serious concerns over this type of 'care'.

I know that denialism and whataboutism as well as deception are key elements of the trans lobby but fortunately it doesn't have an impact on how the rest think of these affirming nonsense.

It does not matter what the NYT verified because the clinic only changed some administrative policies none of the transgender treatment processes were changed because they follow WPATH standards of care. And Missouri's law is next on the federal court dockets list...to be struck down or parts thereof because why? because unconstitutional.

It does.
It is now clear the whistleblower had been vindicated and her accounts were true.

The internal investigations you have linked are worthless as every internal investigation will eventually dismiss whistleblower claims.

There are several states that have banned 'gender affirming care' for minors. Not a single one has reversed it and it's so unlikely they will do in the future.

Your denialism is noted though.

You need to come to terms with reality. 'Gender affirming care' is illegal in Missouri thanks to prole like this whistleblower and others.

The NYT focused on the bad experiences from patients and I posted an article which focused on the good experiences from patients, and bad experiences from this employee's co-workers.

The reality is that gender affirming care is not going away no matter how hard you wish upon a star.

originally posted by: datguy
a reply to: quintessentone

Is it at all possible that while some doctors choose to play safe and were actually good for parents and children, that others rushed the process and were a danger to other families?

In ALL things.

No one denies along with the good there is some bad.

Using that as an excuse to deny ALL — is wrong.

originally posted by: AlienBorg

originally posted by: Annee
a reply to: AlienBorg

It’s illegal because of moral panic and ignorant political legislating of something “they” know nothing about — and chosen blindness to a real “condition”.

Not at all.
Hormones-drugs, 'puberty blockers', and body part mutilations are the main reasons. They're really harmful for kids.

They may be harmful to some kids, just as any drug would be, while life saving for others, you would know that if you bothered to research the science end of it, but mostly believe in parents' and their kids' actual successful and positive experiences in these treatments.

originally posted by: Annee

originally posted by: datguy
a reply to: quintessentone

Is it at all possible that while some doctors choose to play safe and were actually good for parents and children, that others rushed the process and were a danger to other families?

In ALL things.

No one denies along with the good there is some bad.

Using that as an excuse to deny ALL — is wrong.

I just offered up actual family's statements of how very long it took to get treatment, so this rushing the process is a lie.

originally posted by: quintessentone

originally posted by: Annee

originally posted by: datguy
a reply to: quintessentone

Is it at all possible that while some doctors choose to play safe and were actually good for parents and children, that others rushed the process and were a danger to other families?

In ALL things.

No one denies along with the good there is some bad.

Using that as an excuse to deny ALL — is wrong.

I just offered up actual family's statements of how very long it took to get treatment, so this rushing the process is a lie.

I know.

“They” just refuse to look at the whole picture.

Again — it’s a specialized field.

Again — each child and their care is individual.

Care starts with specialized counseling.

Self esteem, accepting yourself is ALWAYS — #1