It is possible for more than one thing to be true.

Just playing devil’s advocate here; do you think an architect should not be able to own the blueprints they’ve produced?

To a slightly broader point, do you not agree with the notion that technical solutions can have creative implementations, and that that can be a form of artistry?

That is tragically hilarious. 😭

I’m glad pretty much every other comment interpreted CRT the way I did. Getting one of those from trick or treating would be the ultimate haul.

As a (recent) Brit I can’t argue with this.

Thanks, I was trying to figure out what the hell I was looking at.

I think there is some nuance to that, and IMHO it largely depends on the model of healthcare we are talking about.

In the case of paying out of pocket for treatment, all that's needed is informed consent. E.g. you see an endo, they inform you of the process and all effects, desirable or otherwise. They cannot bar you from treatment, nor are they responsible if the treatment turns out not to be right for you. Once consent is provided, they are responsible for monitoring your hormone levels and adjusting the dosing if needed.

When it comes to socialised medicine, gatekeeping is inevitable. This is for the same reason that someone whose teeth are ever so slightly crooked, to an extent that is only noticeable under close inspection and has no oral/jaw problems, would not be entitled to braces/invisalign. It isn't a medical need, and that person is free to pursue that privately. Attitudes towards gender and transitioning have changed over the years, and there are people these days for whom HRT is an aesthetic choice/body mod (and is partly why I distinguish by describing myself as 'transsexual'). Power to them, but I would not claim that cases like this are the best use of tax revenue. This is where the tattoo analogy has a bit of weight to it.

tl;dr medically necessary for some, and just a form of self-expression for others. That difference can matter to the taxpayer.

It absolutely is medical care. Here for the 'other story'. What are the counterarguments?

(Context: am transsexual, HRT did for me what 7 years of antidepressants could only dream of and quite literally saved my life.)

Huh? Why does supporting this kid’s actions necessarily imply one would do the same? Why are you so bitter?

What a disappointing and totally uncalled for response from Green, lmao.

Nothing factually wrong with what he said; it’s just insufferable in the context of that conversation. Oozes that “me, an intellectual:” energy.

Aside from the lack of veggies, I fail to see the issue here.

I understand your position, and even and agree with what you are trying to say about a level of virtue signalling so intense and removed from reality that it is disingenuous and toxic. I see it in many of the 'chronically online' types, particularly those who need to look after themselves a bit better. However, none of that is relevant to anything prior in this comment thread. I do think you may have categorised me as being in a certain 'camp' and then run off with it a bit, if I am honest.