Sharon Lee Cowan

I wish to put on record my SUPPORT for this bill, which would exempt child rearing consistent with the child's biological sex from the definition of child abuse and child endangerment. As the parent of a teenager who suffered from gender dysphoria, I can bear witness to the fact that gender dysphoria can resolve as the child becomes older. In the case of our daughter, she was adamant about a transgender identity for years, though we did not affirm her in the male identity. During this period, our relationship with her was difficult, but we continued to support her in any endeavour -- academic, recreational, travel, etc. -- that did not involve medical transitioning. Once she turned 18, she accessed testosterone independently, under her university health insurance plan. Then, about two years later, she decided on her own to stop the transition process. She discontinued the testosterone because she was experiencing serious health consequences and balding of her scalp. Today, her identity is still somewhat in flux, but she believes she made the right decision not to compromise her physical health any further. Our relationship with her is greatly improved, and we are ALL glad we did not rush into medicalisation when she was 14.