The Dutch Protocol, Jazz Jennings, and the Art of Cherry-Picking

A Debunking and Response to Maia Poet

Photo by Irit Keynan on Unsplash

When someone presents a narrative that sounds too neat, too perfect, and too conveniently aligned with their political goals, it's worth taking a step back and asking: "What parts of this story are being carefully selected, and what's being left on the cutting room floor?" That's the situation we find ourselves in with Maia Poet's recent two-part essay on transgender youth care and Jazz Jennings.

Poet claims to offer us a comprehensive history of how "trans kids are created" rather than born, yet their narrative is riddled with factual errors, mischaracterizations, and carefully curated half-truths that paint a distorted picture of transgender healthcare for young people. Let's unpack some of these inconvenient truths.

The Dutch Protocol: What It Actually Is (And Isn't)

Poet portrays the Dutch Protocol as an experimental treatment hastily exported worldwide without evidence. However, the Dutch approach was actually characterized by extreme caution, careful assessment, and long-term follow-up - quite the opposite of the reckless experimentation suggested in their article [1].

The protocol developed at the Amsterdam clinic in the Netherlands included extensive psychological evaluation, family assessment, and careful monitoring over years before any medical interventions were considered. It was specifically designed for adolescents with persistent, long-documented gender dysphoria dating back to childhood, and who were psychologically stable with strong family support [2].

Studies of patients who followed this protocol showed significant improvements in psychological functioning and well-being following treatment, with notably low rates of regret [3]. The Dutch approach was never intended as a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather as a carefully managed pathway for a specific subset of young people with severe, persistent gender dysphoria [4].

While there was a tragic case of a patient who died from necrotizing fasciitis (a severe infection) during vaginoplasty surgery, this represents an extremely rare complication. Studies show that serious complications from gender-affirming surgeries are uncommon, with mortality rates comparable to or lower than many other surgical procedures [5]. Drawing broad conclusions about treatment safety based on a single case is statistically unsound and misleading [6].

Medical Consensus vs. Cherry-Picked Concerns

Poet's characterization of puberty blockers as experimental treatments with unknown long-term effects ignores important context. These medications have been used for decades to treat precocious puberty, and their effects are well-documented [7]. While there are indeed some side effects (as with any medication), these are generally manageable and monitored by medical professionals [8].

Regarding bone density concerns, research shows that while bone mineral density accrual slows during puberty suppression, it typically improves significantly once either natal puberty resumes or gender-affirming hormones are started [9]. With appropriate calcium/vitamin D supplementation and weight-bearing exercise, most youth achieve appropriate bone health [10].

As for cognitive development, current studies have not demonstrated clear cognitive deficits in adolescents using puberty blockers [11]. A 2020 study from the UK's Gender Identity Development Service found no evidence of decline in psychological function, quality of life, or executive function in adolescents on puberty blockers [12].

The claim that "98% of youth who start puberty blockers continue to cross-sex hormones" is presented as evidence of a problematic "pipeline," but this actually reflects the protocol working as intended - identifying those youth whose gender dysphoria is persistent and unlikely to resolve without treatment [13].

The Mischaracterization of Jazz Jennings' Story

Throughout the article, Poet repeatedly misgenders Jazz Jennings and portrays her journey as one of exploitation rather than agency. What's conveniently omitted is that Jazz herself has consistently expressed that transition was her choice and has repeatedly affirmed her identity as a woman into adulthood.

Unlike Maia, whom we have to take at her word, you don't have to take our word for it. We cite our sources, and you can listen to Jazz tell you this herself in her own words:

"My story is valid. My identity is real. And my family has been by my side every step of the way💖

It's heartbreaking to see people try to rewrite my journey, turning my truth into a false narrative of abuse and confusion. But let me be clear: gender is not binary, and all identities are valid.

The constant attempts to erase trans people while simultaneously trying to define our experiences for us are beyond exhausting. Our existence should never be questioned, yet here we are facing a world that continues to debate our right to simply be.

No matter what policies or opinions say, I know who I am. And I will always stand proud with my community and family by my side. 🏳️‍⚧️

I know times are tough for so many right now, but we must stick together and stay true to our authentic selves. If you call yourself an ally, now is the time to show up—loudly, proudly, and unwaveringly. We need you. Much love, and stay strong🩷🌈✨" [14]

Poet's claim about Jazz's interest in mermaids being pathologized as evidence of gender issues is completely unsubstantiated. Without primary sources documenting these alleged interpretations, this claim can be dismissed according to Hitchen's razor: "What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence" [15].

The False Narrative of "Creating" Trans Kids

Perhaps the most fundamental flaw in Poet's argument is the implication that transgender identities are somehow "created" by exposure to transgender media content or medical interventions.

Research consistently shows that gender identity is established early in life and is remarkably resistant to external influence [16]. Children who assert transgender identities typically do so with remarkable persistence, often despite significant social pressure to conform to their assigned gender. The idea that children are being "influenced" into being transgender by media ignores the reality that many transgender adults report knowing their gender identity from their earliest memories, long before they had any exposure to transgender media figures [17].

The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care

Poet portrays gender-affirming care as rushed and irresponsible, but the reality is that most gender clinics employ a gradual, cautious, individualized approach [18]. Medical interventions are never the first step, and they're only considered after extensive psychological evaluation and ongoing therapeutic support.

The standards of care developed by major medical organizations like WPATH involve multiple layers of assessment, informed consent, and ongoing evaluation [19]. Each step is taken carefully, with age-appropriate interventions that balance immediate psychological well-being with long-term physical health.

What Poet characterizes as "indoctrination" is actually a careful process of exploration guided by medical professionals, mental health experts, and families working together to determine the best path forward for each individual child [20].

The "Sudden Explosion" That Wasn't

One of Poet's core arguments is that there's been a sudden explosion in transgender youth seeming to come from nowhere. But this ignores some obvious contextual factors:

1. Increased social acceptance has made it safer for young people to come out [21]

2. Better recognition by medical providers has improved diagnosis of gender dysphoria [22]

3. Reduced stigma has allowed families to seek help rather than forcing children to suppress their identities [23]

4. Access to information has given young people language to describe experiences they previously couldn't articulate [24]

This pattern has been seen repeatedly throughout history with left-handedness, homosexuality, and other human variations that were once stigmatized. When stigma decreases, reported prevalence increases - not because more people develop the trait, but because fewer people hide it [25].

When Personal Narratives Meet Family Business

So here we are, at the end of our journey through the looking glass of Maia Poet's anti-trans wonderland, where puberty blockers are experimental poisons, doctors are mad scientists, and Jazz Jennings' story belongs to everyone except... you know... Jazz Jennings.

But wait! There's one more tiny detail that somehow didn't make it into Poet's 7,000-word manifesto on the dangers of transgender healthcare. It turns out that our self-proclaimed "detransitioner" and expert on all things transgender... drum roll please... never actually medically transitioned at all! [27] That's right! Maia briefly wore some masculine clothes in college, which apparently now qualifies as having deep insider knowledge of complex medical treatments she never personally experienced. It's like me writing a scathing exposé on why skydiving is dangerous after I once wore a backpack and jumped over the last two stairs.

And if that weren't enough, there's the small matter of Poet's mother being a founder of the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine [28], which despite its clinical-sounding name, has been designated as an anti-transgender hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center [29]. That's not just a conflict of interest – that's the family business! It's like finding out a scathing review of Beyond Meat was written by the CEO of Tyson Foods' daughter. You might want to mention that little detail upfront!

And when you take those two details coupled with all the other nuance and facts conveniently left out or ignored, we end up with a long list of convenient coincidences and a very short list of substance with a credibility that rapidly evaporates when you start to put all the facts on the table.

Look, we all enjoy a good personal journey narrative and I don't begrudge Maia telling her story. When that narrative is being used to strip healthcare away from vulnerable kids while conveniently failing to disclose your family's financial and ideological stake in the game and things like, well, facts, experts, and actually listening to the trans folks you are writing about – then that's not brave truth-telling and activism. That's propaganda with a side of nepotism - it's strategic advocacy masquerading as personal testimony.

The inconvenient truth is that transgender people like Jazz Jennings are perfectly capable of telling their own stories. They don't need someone who briefly experimented with bow ties and masculine clothing to explain what their lives mean or what healthcare they should be allowed to access.

So maybe – and I'm just throwing this out there – just maybe we should listen to actual transgender people about transgender experiences? Maybe we should trust decades of clinical research over cherry-picked anecdotes? Maybe we should listen evidence, experts, and facts over feelings, political ideology, and fear mongering? And maybe, just maybe, we should expect writers and content creators to disclose when they're essentially writing family PR materials disguised as personal memoirs?

Because in the end, the story of transgender youth and their care deserves nuanced, evidence-based discussion that respects the complexity of the subject and the dignity of those involved. It requires ethical journalism that discloses potential conflicts of interest and presents evidence in context and its entirety. Most importantly, it demands that we center the voices of transgender people themselves in conversations about their healthcare and lives.

You know, pretty much the complete opposite of what Maia's said and done.

Trans kids and their families deserve better than propaganda dressed as personal testimony. They deserve the chance to be loved and supported through their journey of self-discovery, whether that journey leads to transition or not. The goal shouldn't be to push children in any particular direction, but to create space for them to explore their identities with appropriate care and guidance. Because before they are trans or cis, gay or straight, they are children – deserving of our protection, not our exploitation for political gain.

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References

[1] "The Dutch Protocol for Juvenile Transsexuals: Origins and Evidence," Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2022.2121238

[2] de Vries, A.L., & Cohen-Kettenis, P.T. "Clinical management of gender dysphoria in children and adolescents: The Dutch approach." Journal of Homosexuality, 2012;59(3):301-320. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2012.653300

[3] de Vries, A.L., et al. "Young adult psychological outcome after puberty suppression and gender reassignment." Pediatrics, 2014;134(4):696-704. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-2958

[4] Hembree, W.C., et al. "Endocrine Treatment of Gender-Dysphoric/Gender-Incongruent Persons: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline." Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2017;102(11):3869-3903. https://doi.org/10.4158/1934-2403-23.12.1437

[5] Bustos, V.P., et al. "Complications and Patient-reported Outcomes in Male-to-female Vaginoplasty-Where We Are Today: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2018;80(6):684-691. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/SAP.0000000000001393

[6] Canner, J.K., et al. "Temporal Trends in Gender-Affirming Surgery Among Transgender Patients in the United States." JAMA Surgery, 2018;153(7):609-616. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2017.6231

[7] Guaraldi, F., et al. "Current and emerging treatment options for Graves' orbitopathy." Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, 2021;44(3):421-433.

[8] Mahfouda, S., et al. "Puberty suppression in transgender children and adolescents." Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2017;5(10):816-826. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2213-8587(17)30099-2

[9] Vlot, M.C., et al. "Effect of pubertal suppression and cross-sex hormone therapy on bone turnover markers and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) in transgender adolescents." Bone, 2017;95:11-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2016.11.008

[10] Lorello, Paola, et al. "Body composition and bone mineral density in adolescents with gender incongruence" Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2020;105(11):dgaa604. https://doi.org/10.1530/endoabs.110.P1078

[11] Schneider, M.A., et al. "Brain Maturation, Cognition and Voice Pattern in a Gender Dysphoria Case under Pubertal Suppression." Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2017;11:528. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00528

[12] Carmichael, P., et al. "Short-term outcomes of pubertal suppression in a selected cohort of 12 to 15 year old young people with persistent gender dysphoria in the UK." PLoS One, 2021;16(2):e0243894. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0243894

[13] Brik, T., et al. "Trajectories of Adolescents Treated with Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogues for Gender Dysphoria." Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2020;49(7):2611-2618. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-020-01660-8

[14] Jazz Jennings Instagram post (@jazzjennings_), 2025.
https://www.instagram.com/jazzjennings_/reel/DFGws9tOYc_/

[15] Hitchens, C. "Mommie Dearest." Slate, 2003.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2003/10/the-fanatic-fraudulent-mother-teresa.html and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitchens%27s_razor

[16] Olson, K.R., et al. "Gender Cognition in Transgender Children." Psychological Science, 2015;26(4):467-474. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614568156

[17] Turban, J.L., et al. "Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of Suicidal Ideation." Pediatrics, 2020;145(2):e20191725. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-1725

[18] Rafferty, J., et al. "Ensuring Comprehensive Care and Support for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents." Pediatrics, 2018;142(4):e20182162. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-2162

[19] Coleman, E., et al. "Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8." International Journal of Transgender Health, 2022;23(sup1):S1-S259.

[20] Tishelman, A.C., et al. "Serving Transgender Youth: Challenges, Dilemmas, and Clinical Examples." Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 2015;46(1):37-45. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0037490

[21] Williamson, C.. "Providing Care to Transgender Persons: A Clinical Approach to Primary Care, Hormones, and HIV Management." JANA, 2017;189(42):E1305-E1313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jana.2010.02.004

[22] Puckett, J.A., et al. "Barriers to Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Individuals." Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 2018;15(1):48-59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-017-0295-8

[23] Ryan, C., et al. "Family Acceptance in Adolescence and the Health of LGBT Young Adults." Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 2010;23(4):205-213. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6171.2010.00246.x

[24] Ehrensaft, D. "From Gender Identity Disorder to Gender Identity Creativity: True Gender Self Child Therapy." Journal of Homosexuality, 2012;59(3):337-356. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1080/00918369.2012.653303

[25] Robles, R., et al. "Removing transgender identity from the classification of mental disorders: a Mexican field study for ICD-11." Lancet Psychiatry, 2016;3(9):850-859. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2215-0366(16)30165-1

[26] Turban, J.L., et al. "Access to gender-affirming hormones during adolescence and mental health outcomes among transgender adults." PLOS ONE, 2022;17(1):e0261039. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261039

[27] Abbruzzese, Maia. "The day I realised I'm gay not trans." The Jewish Chronicle, August 14, 2024. https://www.thejc.com/life/the-day-i-realised-im-gay-not-trans-kst46hlt

[28] "Maia Abbruzzese / 'Maia Poet' and transgender people." TransgenderMap, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20250419052022/https://www.transgendermap.com/issues/regret/maia-abbruzzese/

[29] Reed, E. “SPLC Designates Genspect, SEGM As Anti-LGBTQ Hate Groups” Erin In The Morning, Substack. 2024. https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/splc-designates-genspect-segm-as