TRANSGENDER TREND

I snapped this photo (feminine hygiene products in the men’s room) on a university campus just before I gave a talk on the Christian view of gender, marriage, and sexuality - one of my academic interests. Couldn't help but both chuckle and feel sad at the irony.

During my talk, we discussed how gender is a gift from God to be received - not a creative expression of my individuality. Being male or female is part of being created in the image of God 👩🏽‍❤️‍👨🏽 (Genesis 1:26).

IDEAS HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

And bad ideas have bad consequences. After the talk, a sweet girl came forward to tell me her story…

She had a traumatic childhood and PTSD. While hurting and confused, she struggled to find resources for counseling. Secular counselors advised her to surrender to her gender confusion. Instead of therapy for her PTSD, she was given free “gender reassignment” surgery and cross-sex hormones, then lived as a boy for three years. Miraculously, God opened her eyes and she put her faith in Christ. Two years ago, she de-transitioned and now knows that she’s a woman - fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Her journey is not without some ongoing struggle. Sadly, she will deal with lifelong, unfortunate physical and emotional consequences of the medical malpractice committed against her. While affirming the self-perception of gender-confused teens feels compassionate, it leads to harm.

She's one of thousands harmed in this way who've now de-transitioned. And they're beginning to speak up. 

HERE’S SOME GOOD NEWS.

Just last week, a New York court awarded a detransitioner a $2 million medical malpractice settlement against her therapist and clinic, who rushed her into a mastectomy and hormones rather than treating her underlying mental health issues. She was 16 at the time. This is the first known malpractice verdict of its kind in America, though more than 50 additional cases are working their way through the courts. Doctors, counselors, and clinics will now think twice before pushing these procedures on vulnerable young women. Last year, the UK banned all gender transition procedures for minors after lawsuits made the government-run healthcare system liable. 

EVEN BETTER NEWS.

New survey data shows that the percentage of college students who identify as transgender has dropped by half… in just two years. From 2023-25. By half! 😮 The annual nationwide F.I.R.E. survey of 50,000 students showed a drop from 7% to 3.5%. Brown University reported a drop from 5% to 2.5%. Andover Phillips, the nation's most elite high school boarding academy, reported a massive drop from 9% to 2% - more than three out of four have detransitioned or desisted - a startling turnaround. 

While the activists deny that transgenderism is a social contagion or trend, this drop proves otherwise. The decrease coincides with the rise of detransitioned influencers telling their story on social media. Social media persuaded thousands of teen girls to deny their gender; now it's helping many accept it. Reality is beginning to expose ideology. 

SO HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS RESPOND?

Remember that Jesus came “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). So we should represent Jesus in this world with grace and truth. It's tempting to become culture warriors: truth without grace, showing disdain for confused and hurting young adults. These precious people need our kindness, patience, and friendship. Other Christians have “metastasized empathy” that prizes grace and unequivocal affirmation above telling the truth. But it's never loving to affirm a deception. 

One day, history books will look back on the transgender phenomenon with dismay. They’ll speculate about how a generation could become so hurt, broken, and confused. But Christians, our job is to oppose the ideology while loving those who’ve been misled. That is the “right side of history.” So let's respond with truth… and an extravagant amount of kindness and grace.

WANT A DEEPER DIVE? Check out my talk, "Gen Z & Biblical Sexuality: Eight Tips for Discipleship," on the CMN Podcast. Click here.