By Raul Castillo
05 Nov 2023, 19:36 PM EST
A 23-year-old woman who underwent gender reassignment surgeries at the University of Wisconsin Hospital is suing the hospital and two surgeons, alleging the procedures were performed without her informed consent.
According to the lawsuit, reported by the Wisconsin State Journal (WSJ), Dr. Jay Lick performed a hysterectomy when the patient was 19 years old, and Dr. Katherine Gast performed a double mastectomy when she was 21 years old, as part of her transition. of genre.
The patient, who identifies as lesbian, initially explored her gender identity and identified as non-binary to overcome childhood trauma. However, after receiving post-surgical therapy, she began a process of “detransitioning” upon realizing that her mental distress was due to childhood trauma and not her gender identity.
As the media explained, the patient had a “series of traumatizing events within her childhood home, including sexual abuse.” Her family had “strong religious beliefs” and she eventually “fled her abusive family.” She was diagnosed with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Negligence Lawsuit
The lawsuit has been filed by attorneys from Eckland & Blando, a law firm based in Minneapolis. This case stands out as the first in a series of cases the firm is evaluating, all involving gender alteration procedures.
“We are not doing this as a (public relations) stunt like many of the detransition cases do,” Daniel Cragg, the lead attorney in the case, told the WSJ. “This is a personal injury (medical negligence) case.”
The lawsuit alleges medical negligence and lack of informed consent in the procedures, as well as discrimination under the Affordable Care Act.
Doctors at the University of Wisconsin “recklessly, if not intentionally, overlooked or ignored her psychological history to justify their approach to treating her, a young woman confused about her gender identity and experiencing known and current mental distress,” it says the lawsuit, according to the WSJ.
Hospital spokeswoman Sara Benzel declined to address details of the case. However, she assured the WSJ: “UW Health and its providers care deeply about the health and well-being of patients and work hard every day to ensure patients receive the best care possible.”
The “detransition”
This case comes at a time when, according to the WSJ, several states have adopted laws prohibiting gender reassignment treatments and surgeries for minors.
In Wisconsin, the Legislature passed a similar bill, which is pending a veto by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, according to the WSJ.
Detransition is an under-researched and controversial topic. Some people express regret for their gender treatments, while others do not.
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) recommends comprehensive evaluations before beginning gender-based treatments, including exclusion of other causes of distress, a thorough discussion of risks and benefits, and obtaining letters of approval from health therapists. mental.
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