Wednesday’s tragic mass shootings at Announcement Catholic Church have reignited discussions around transgender issues in America.
In 2019, Robert Westman identified as female and changed his name to Robin, with his mother, Mary Grace Weston, submitting the name change application since he was a minor at that time.
This incident marks the second violent event involving a transgender individual at a Christian school; in March 2023, Audrey Hale killed six people at Covenant School in Nashville, including three children.
Killer “Brainwashing”
When other mental health issues result in violent behavior, we usually engage in serious discussions on how to help those affected. Yet, conversations surrounding a child’s declaration of being transgender seem off-limits. It’s often overlooked that discomfort with one’s gender can be a sign of deeper mental health challenges.
The American Medical Association has increasingly adopted a political stance, advocating for a singular approach to “gender-affirming care” while warning against any perceived reduction in gender-preserving treatments, claiming they can lead to severe health consequences.
A parent featured in a 2015 CNN special posed a difficult question: “Do you want a living son or a dead daughter?” This reflects the pressure parents feel to support their child’s transition. In some regions, hormone blockers and surgeries are restricted, yet in the U.S., they can still be pursued with parental consent.
Parents face immense pressure to confirm their child’s gender identity. Choosing not to “affirm” can sometimes result in losing custody of their children, which feels utterly irrational.
It’s disconcerting to think about the type of “gender-affirming care” that Westman has received and whether any hormones or other procedures played a role in his regrets. He expressed this in a YouTube video, which raises further questions about the accountability of healthcare professionals involved.
For example, the doctor who supported Westman during his transition had a history of troubling behavior in middle school, raising concerns about their fitness to practice. It leaves us wondering—has anyone genuinely addressed the underlying mental health challenges that may have contributed?
The statistics hint at a worrying trend; from 2017 to 2021, a significant rise in children diagnosed with gender discomfort was noted, tripling in numbers. By 2024, about 3.3% of high school students identified as transgender, while another 2.2% questioned their gender identity.
With nearly 6% of children grappling with these concerns, it suggests a troubling social phenomenon rather than purely individual experiences. We don’t want to be unkind to anyone feeling this kind of distress, but simply validating potentially delusional beliefs isn’t a sustainable solution.
It’s similar to when someone suffers from a “hysterical pregnancy,” where preparations are made for a baby that isn’t present. Engaging in that false reality only feeds into the misconceptions surrounding gender identity.
People experiencing gender discomfort often don’t receive the necessary support to navigate their struggles. Instead, they are encouraged to adhere to affirming beliefs at every step, which may not serve their best interests.
Common Humanity
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey faced challenges to his position after suggesting that the shooter’s transgender identity should not be part of the discussion. He stated that those exploiting the incident to further exacerbate tensions against the trans community have lost their humanity.
Yet, he, like many others, seems to overlook a critical truth: whether we acknowledge that children can’t genuinely change their gender or confront a rising trend of trans individuals involved in violent acts. Compassion is crucial but must be grounded in reality, not in pretenses.
