An entire industry built on medically mutilating young men and women leaves behind a pain-filled path of maimed bodies and shattered dreams. An ironic narrative plays on repeat as individuals who bought the lie of “being born in the wrong body” wake up one day post-surgery to realize they are now forever trapped in one.  

Isabella “Fox” Varian, a “detransitioner,” is now picking up the pieces of undergoing a double mastectomy at the tender age of 16 when she was pushed into mutilating her body in the name of “gender identity.” 

Kenneth Einhorn, a “gender affirming” psychologist, pressured Varian and even convinced her mother, Claire Deacon, that Varian should medically “transition” to a boy. Dr. Simon Chin, the plastic surgeon, met with Varian and her mom just twice before putting teenage Varian under the scalpel for a double mastectomy. She will forever have to live with the ramifications of this irreversible surgery. 

Varian, now 22 years old, just won $2 million in the first successful lawsuit brought by a “detransitioner” before a jury. She sued her New York-based psychologist and plastic surgeon for rushing her into “affirming” her gender confusion with a life-altering surgery that left her “disfigured for life” in 2019. This may be the first medical malpractice lawsuit of its kind, but it certainly won’t be the last, as many are realizing the permanent damage inflicted on them by the profit-driven medical establishment.

The house of cards is crumbling — and the medical industry is scrambling. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has since issued a statement advising against mutilating gender procedures on minors. Too little, too late. But thankfully, many are waking up to this tragic reality and seeking to prevent others from taking this painful path. 

At the time of her “transition” as a teenager, Varian struggled with anorexia, depression, and autism. If she had access to Christian change counseling, which is currently banned in New York, she could have avoided this trauma and abuse. Chiles v. Salazar, a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, could change this. We filed an amicus brief in this important case advocating for the free speech of licensed counselors who help clients deal with unwanted same-sex attractions, behaviors, or gender confusion.

Instead of being forced into a mutilating “transition” surgery, young men and women struggling with gender confusion should have access to Christian change counseling rather than being told they were born in the wrong body and at risk of suicide if they don’t undergo an irreversible procedure. 

These stories need to be told. Varian’s successful lawsuit is a historic first, but mainstream media is largely silent. Independent journalist Benjamin Ryan claims he was the only reporter present for the entirety of Varian’s three-week trial in New York.

But the tide is turning. “Detransitioners” are waking up and speaking out. This will not be the last of such lawsuits, as many more are pending, and I expect a flood of new lawsuits will be filed. 

The Supreme Court is expected to release its opinion on Chiles v. Salazar this term. Through this case, the court has the opportunity to ensure gender-confused children like Varian have access to Christian change counseling instead of being pushed down the pipeline of permanently altering their bodies. 

The medical industry cannot continue to perpetuate this child abuse in the name of “gender identity,” and I pray we are nearing the day when both the medical industry and the government are forced to ban this medical mutilation for good.

Mat Staver serves as senior pastor, founder, and chairman of Liberty Counsel.