‘Child abuse’ outrage over trans briefs for 4-year-olds
A TRANSGENDER underwear designer has been accused of child abuse for selling pants that seek to ‘flatten’ the genitals of boys as young as four.
Doctors warned that the underwear, which is made to ‘flatten the side profile of the pelvic area’, could cause infertility.
A leading peer claimed the sale of the product amounted to a criminal offence.
The garments are sold by Carmen Liu, an eponymous company established by a transgender former ballet dancer that describes itself as ‘the UK’s first brand to design flattening and tucking underwear’.
The ‘cotton briefs’, which cost £35.70 for a pack of three, come in black or white. They are available in seven sizes – the smallest for those with hips measuring between 58cm and 61cm (23in-24in), which would include children as young as four. The largest, at up to 97cm (38in), would fit a teenager.
Under a dedicated ‘Kids’ section on its website, the company says: ‘Carmen Liu Kids is here for trans girls and non-binary children in their journey.
‘Each product is here to provide children with the stepping stones to finding themselves, in a supportive, validating experience.’
It adds: ‘We provide gender expression products for trans girls and non-binary children in aim [sic] of finding their true self.’
But Tory peer Baroness Nicholson said: ‘I am horrified. The makers, sellers and distributors of these items are breaking the Children’s Act and are abusing the NHS health criteria for children.
‘I will report them and go to the wire to gain children their rights against this seemingly criminal behaviour.’
Doctors said putting sustained pressure on the genitals could cause permanent damage to boys.
‘Testicles need to be at a lower temperature than the body,’ said paediatrician Dr Shiban Ahmed. ‘At a young age, if they remain in a high position, the cells that produce sperm die off.’ He said that could destroy the chances of fatherhood for boys who later changed their minds about becoming female.
Stephanie Davies-Arai, of campaign group Transgender Trend, said: ‘The fact that a child is sexualised in this way, and their sexual parts are treated according to adult ideas, is abuse of the child. It feels barbaric to actually interfere with a child’s genitals in that way.’
Carmen Liu said: ‘Your claims are absurd and without merit. This… is an attempt to cast contempt on the community at a time when support is needed most.’
‘Abusing the NHS health criteria for children’