I care because I saw a person with severe learning disability develop mental health problems after one of their live-in carers transitioned MtF (male to female), and not being able to discuss it because “be kind”.
I work with people with learning disability. I was working with a man with severe learning disability who was suddenly suffering from anxiety. Met with staff team (24 hour support) – one of them was clearly a late-transitioning TIM (trans-identifying male) – had previously worked there as “Charles”, now referring to himself as “Charlotte”. I was discouraged from mentioning this as part of the psychological formulation.
I also work with women and girls with learning disabilities, and elderly people with dementia, who are reliant on personal support with hygiene etc – always have same sex support. I am horrified at implications of it becoming same gender under self id.
I’ve been to Women’s Place meetings, posted on Twitter, tried to start conversations at work, but fear professional consequences. I have successfully had conversations with family and friends where I can be more explicit.
I have had death threats on social media, and the usual abuse, in horrible sexual language.
S, Supporting People with LD and Autism
The Gender Dissidents Survey 