A Family Court judge has granted a request by parents of a 16-year-old schoolboy with Asperger’s syndrome for him to start the process of becoming a woman, on condition that some of his sperm is frozen – just in case.
Justice Dessau granted the parents’ request, saying that it was in the best interests of the child, ‘O’, and noting that it was supported by the independent children’s lawyer, as well as the Public Advocate and six experts.
‘O’ told one expert that he was disgusted with his body, generally tried to hide his penis and testes, shaved off his bodily hair, and wore his hair long. He wanted to have breasts. He was very concerned about his deepening voice and practised speaking in a high-pitched female voice. He was overwhelmed by distress.
His psychiatrist testified that ‘O’ often “feels his life is not worth living because of the feeling of being trapped in the wrong body.” He sought help from a suicide help-line to prevent self-harming. “I desperately want to be a girl. I can’t cope, I just can’t stand it,” ‘O’ told an expert.
If the treatment were not permitted, two experts told the court that the risk of on-going suicidal preoccupation and intent was high.
The court found that ‘O’ had made an informed decision, which accorded with his parents’ assessment, who “adored and respected him.”
To protect the boy’s privacy, the judge made a very wide restraining order suppressing his name and those of his family members, the hospital, his psychologist, his school, and any other fact or matter that may identify him.
‘O’ is now the third child subject to orders enabling the transition from one gender to the other.

To read the judgment, click here: http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinodisp/au/cases/cth/FamCA/2010/1153.... .