Detransitioner discusses life after living as a woman in new book
A man who lived as a woman for years believes those who struggle with their gender need to address the underlying issues that drive them to question their identity in order for them to 'embrace' who God made them to be.
Walt Heyer, 84, detransitioned 40 years ago after identifying as a woman for eight years. Heyer runs a ministry and website called 'Sex Change Regret' where he says he's helped thousands of people who regret trying to change their gender.
Advertisement
Heyer and Dr. Jennifer Bauwens, Director of the Center for Family Studies at the Family Research Council, spoke to Fox News Digital about their new book, ' Embracing God's Design ,' which addresses 'the spiritual and psychological crisis behind transgender identity.'
The book details the major players in the history of the transgender movement and argues that left-wing activism has influenced diagnostic and ethical standards in the counseling field and harmed patient care over the past two decades. The authors argue that uncovering the root causes of gender confusion is essential to treatment. They also give advice on how friends and family can help those struggling with their gender identity.
4 Walt Heyer, 84, detransitioned 40 years ago after identifying as a woman for eight years.
Getty Images
4 Heyer and Dr. Jennifer Bauwens, Director of the Center for Family Studies at the Family Research Council, wrote a book called 'Embracing God's Design,' on 'the spiritual and psychological crisis behind transgender identity.'
Fidelis Publishing
Advertisement
Bauwens, a former trauma therapist and researcher, claims that a great number of people who experience gender confusion also were abused, neglected or had other adverse experiences in their childhood.
Professional counseling standards have changed over the years and now push for affirming one's gender identity as part of treatment, she said, adding that this doesn't address the patient's trauma.
'When you look at the data, around half of those who identify as transgender also report some type of abuse, whether it be emotional, psychological, physical, sexual abuse,' Bauwens told Fox News Digital.
4 'When you look at the data, around half of those who identify as transgender also report some type of abuse, whether it be emotional, psychological, physical, sexual abuse,' Bauwens said.
Family Research Council
Advertisement
'It's actually not only malpractice, it's borderline criminal to treat someone with a surgical procedure who clearly matches the profile of someone who's had really severe abuse,' she said. 'Some of the reasons that are used to quickly get people 'gender-affirming care,' such as suicidality, that's a very common experience of someone who's had abuse. Self-harm is a very common experience of somebody who's abused.'
Heyer's own history of gender confusion started at a young age with family members who abused him.
'I was being cross-dressed by my grandma secretly and she was affirming me. She made me a purple chiffon evening dress and that was a secret for about two-and-a-half years,' he explained. 'When I decided to take the purple dress home and my parents found it, and they realized grandma had been cross-dressing me, and I was enjoying it as a four or five, 6-year-old boy, then the heavy discipline started with my father. Then his adopted teenage brother sexually molested me. So that's where the trauma comes in.'
Advertisement
Heyer started identifying as a female as a teenager and became an alcoholic in his 20s as he dealt with the grief from his father dying from cancer. He started taking cross-sex hormones and was eventually diagnosed with gender dysphoria in his 40s and underwent sex change surgery to live as 'Laura Jensen' for eight years.
He said his therapist 'didn't take into account that I'd been sexually, physically and emotionally abused which was really the problem, and it wasn't gender dysphoria.'
'I've worked with thousands of people over the last 20 years. And when I work with them, I always ask them, what caused you to not like who you are?' Heyer said of his ministry. 'When we dive into this discussion, they peel back the issues, and we look back, and we find out that they were sexually abused and emotionally abused, physically abused. They were abandoned. They were in foster care.'
4 Heyers said his therapist 'didn't take into account that I'd been sexually, physically and emotionally abused which was really the problem, and it wasn't gender dysphoria.'
Prostock-studio – stock.adobe.com
'Something happened that caused them to not like who they are. It's not even a gender issue. That's why Jennifer referred to it as an identity issue. They like to say that it's a gender issue because then you can apply hormones in surgery, but that doesn't fix the problem.'
Heyer credits God for 'redeeming and restoring his life,' as well as a few Christian counselors who helped him to get sober, address his gender issues, and turn his life around.
The Christian authors believe that the modern gender movement is a spiritual battle that should be taken seriously by people of faith.
'The gender movement isn't just about erasing male or female. It's actually about erasing the very image of God and family, because family is the first place that we learn safety, security, and there are attributes of male and female that God has uniquely embedded in our DNA, in our design,' Bauwens said. 'And when you erase those or attempt to erase those, you're erasing an aspect of the very heart and nature of God.'
Advertisement
'We look at our young people in our world, especially our country right now, and many people are saying, 'why is there such a mental health crisis?' As if we can divorce this current issue from the very mental health crisis that we're trying to fix,' she continued.
'When you erase the very design of God, in a generation or try to do that, then we're left with people who have no identity, no rudder, no sense that there's a higher purpose to life, that there is meaning through relationship and how God made us… So I would argue that there's much more at stake with the battle we're facing. And it's really a good fight of faith that we are embracing here,' Bauwens said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
4 hours ago
- New York Post
Hairstylists, medical expert confirms this side effect for Ozempic users
Side effects from GLP-1s can vary, but one lesser-known reported outcome of the popular weight-loss medications is hair loss or thinning. Some hairstylists have confirmed an uptick in clients who complain about losing hair while on weight-loss journeys. Advertisement This includes Ashley DiMatteo, owner of Ashley Lauren Beauty Lounge in Westchester, New York, and Briana Delvecchio, a color specialist and hairdresser at DiMatteo's salon. The two spoke with Fox News Digital in an on-camera interview. 'There has definitely been an increase in clients coming in with hair loss,' DiMatteo said, noting that it ranges from gradual to fast, and from thinning out to completely losing hair. Delvecchio agreed that she's had 'a few' clients come in reporting thinner and drier hair, which she suspects could be due to weight-loss drugs. The hairstylist, who herself takes a GLP-1 drug, said there may be a few reasons for hair changes, including new medications, vitamin deficiencies, and weight loss, which can put stress on the body. Advertisement Becky Watt, an Ohio hairstylist with more than 20 years of experience, said she's also noticed clients losing hair while taking weight-loss drugs. 'I've seen thinning and shedding, and a lot of hair coming out very easily when being washed,' she told Fox News Digital. 'I have not noticed any bald spots.' 6 Some hairstylists have confirmed an uptick in clients who complain about losing hair while on weight-loss journeys. blackday – She's had some clients, however, who are taking the medications without any hair loss, Watt added. Medical factors Advertisement In a separate interview, Dr. Philip Rabito, an endocrinologist in New York City, said this reaction, called telogen effluvium, is a stress response to weight loss that affects the hair follicle. The response is only temporary, he noted. The hair will fall out, then grow back once the weight loss stabilizes after a few months. 'It's a response to severe physical stress, and weight loss is considered starvation,' Rabito said. 'It is the rapidity of the weight loss that correlates with the amount of hair loss.' 6 Ashley DiMatteo, owner of Ashley Lauren Beauty Lounge in Westchester, New York, and Briana Delvecchio, a color specialist and hairdresser at DiMatteo's salon, have noticed that some of their clients' hair has been thinning due to their weight loss journey. FOX News Digital Advertisement Before weight-loss drugs, traditional bariatric surgery would lead to the loss of 70% of excess body weight in about six months, Rabito said, which was often followed by hair loss within six to nine months. 'Your body doesn't understand that this is healthy weight loss — your body thinks it's starving,' he reiterated. 'It happens to almost everyone, to some people more than others.' Those who lose weight more repetitively are at higher risk of hair loss, Rabito said, as well as those who have an underlying thyroid issue or micronutrient deficiency, typically in iron, B12, or vitamin D. These vitamin deficiencies can worsen as weight loss occurs, so it's important to work with a medical professional to balance these levels, according to the doctor. 6 Delvecchio said that she's had 'a few' clients come in reporting thinner and drier hair, which she suspects could be due to weight-loss drugs. FOX News Digital 'From what I have learned from talking to these specific clients, it seems that the clients that are still eating don't have the hair loss,' Watt observed. 'It seems that my clients who say they don't have any appetite whatsoever are the ones losing the most hair,' she continued. 'I believe that's possibly due to lack of nutrients and protein, although I'm no doctor.' Tips for managing hair loss Advertisement DiMatteo and Delvecchio agreed they 'always' advise their clients to see their doctor for a vitamin level check. 'And we will also then taper their hair routine,' DiMatteo said. 'Basically, less is more during hair loss.' The salon owner suggested keeping up with scalp treatment, reducing the use of heat, brushing from the bottom up, and avoiding going to bed with wet hair. 'Check in with your weight-loss doctor or your endocrinologist prior to coming to us to rule out iron, vitamin D, or anything that you're lacking — we need to rule that out before we can help you,' Delvecchio said. Advertisement 'Then we'll tell you we need to work on your scalp health; we'll give you shampoo and conditioner that may be a little gentler for your hair.' 'Scalp stimulation is huge,' DiMatteo added. 'Rinsing with cool water helps as well. Try not to do harsher treatments in the sense of lightening or coloring — spread it out as much as possible.' Rabito noted that losing hair is 'part of the game.' He said he always warns his patients before starting their weight-loss journey that this will most likely occur and is a 'mark of success.' Advertisement 6 Dr. Philip Rabito (not pictured), an endocrinologist in New York City, said this reaction, called telogen effluvium, is a stress response to weight loss that affects the hair follicle. Wild Awake – 'They're going to lose hair,' he said. 'It's going to get worse before it gets better.' 'But as long as you get the vitamins controlled, get them adequately repleted — when the patient plateaus and the weight is stable for a month or two, the body doesn't sense starvation anymore, and the body is less stressed, then the hair grows back better than ever.' Watt said she often recommends a hair vitamin to her clients struggling with weight loss. 'Diet also has a lot to do with it,' she noted. Advertisement 6 When previously contacted, Novo Nordisk — the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy — confirmed that hair loss is an identified risk for semaglutide, and is listed as a side effect in the product information. mbruxelle – She also recommended using a shampoo and conditioner that are formulated to resist thinning and hair loss, along with a bond-building hair product. DiMatteo and Delvecchio assured those who are experiencing hair loss that regrowth does take time, and that there's no need for excessive hair growth treatments. Delvecchio added, 'The hair loss is temporary. It's a positive stress, and it's worth it.' When previously contacted by Fox News Digital, Novo Nordisk — the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy — confirmed that hair loss is an identified risk for semaglutide, and is listed as a side effect in the product information. 6 DiMatteo and Delvecchio assured those who are experiencing hair loss that regrowth does take time, and that there's no need for excessive hair growth treatments. doucefleur – 'In clinical trials of Wegovy, hair loss was reported in 2.5% of Wegovy-treated adult patients versus 1.0% of placebo-treated adult patients,' the company spokesperson said at the time. 'Hair loss was reported more frequently in patients with greater weight loss (≥20%), suggesting that the events of hair loss were potentially related to the magnitude of weight loss.' 'Patient safety is of utmost importance to Novo Nordisk,' the statement continued. 'We are continuously monitoring the safety profile of our products and collaborate closely with authorities to ensure patient safety, including adequate information on hair loss.'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hairstylists and medical expert confirm temporary hair loss affecting Ozempic users
Side effects from GLP-1s can vary — but one lesser-known reported outcome of the popular weight-loss medications is hair loss or thinning. Some hairstylists have confirmed an uptick in clients who complain about losing hair while on weight-loss journeys. This includes Ashley DiMatteo, owner of Ashley Lauren Beauty Lounge in Westchester, New York, and Briana Delvecchio, a color specialist and hairdresser at DiMatteo's salon. The two spoke with Fox News Digital in an on-camera interview (see the video at the top of the article). Is Ozempic Ruining Your Teeth? What To Know About Impact On Dental Health "There has definitely been an increase in clients coming in with hair loss," DiMatteo said, noting that it ranges from gradual to fast, and from thinning out to completely losing hair. Delvecchio agreed that she's had "a few" clients come in reporting thinner and drier hair, which she suspects could be due to weight-loss drugs. Read On The Fox News App The hairstylist, who herself takes a GLP-1 drug, said there may be a few reasons for hair changes — including new medications, vitamin deficiencies and weight loss, which can put stress on the body. Becky Watt, an Ohio hairstylist with more than 20 years of experience, said she has also noticed clients losing hair while taking weight-loss drugs. "I've seen thinning and shedding, and a lot of hair coming out very easily when being washed," she told Fox News Digital. "I have not noticed any bald spots." However, she has had some clients who are taking the medications without any hair loss, Watt added. In a separate interview, Dr. Philip Rabito, an endocrinologist in New York City, explained that this reaction, called telogen effluvium, is a stress response to weight loss that affects the hair follicle. Ozempic, Other Semaglutides Linked To Hair Loss: Here's What To Know The response is only temporary, he noted — the hair will fall out and then grow back once the weight loss stabilizes after a few months. "It's a response to severe physical stress — and weight loss is considered starvation," Rabito said. "It is the rapidity of the weight loss that correlates with the amount of hair loss." Before weight-loss drugs, traditional bariatric surgery would lead to the loss of 70% of excess body weight in about six months, Rabito shared — which was often followed by hair loss within six to nine months. "Your body doesn't understand that this is healthy weight loss — your body thinks it's starving," he reiterated. "It happens to almost everyone, to some people more than others." This Daily Beauty Routine Could Be Ruining Your Hair, Experts Warn Those who lose weight more repetitively are at higher risk of hair loss, Rabito said, as well as those who have an underlying thyroid issue or micronutrient deficiency — typically in iron, B12 or vitamin D. These vitamin deficiencies can worsen as weight loss occurs, so it's important to work with a medical professional to balance these levels, according to the doctor. "From what I have learned from talking to these specific clients, it seems that the clients that are still eating don't have the hair loss," Watt observed. "It seems that my clients who say they don't have any appetite whatsoever are the ones losing the most hair," she went on. "I believe that's possibly due to lack of nutrients and protein, although I'm no doctor." DiMatteo and Delvecchio agreed that they "always" advise their clients to see their doctor for a vitamin level check. "And we will also then taper their hair routine," DiMatteo said. "Basically, less is more during hair loss." The salon owner suggests keeping up with scalp treatment, reducing the use of heat, brushing from the bottom up and avoiding going to bed with wet hair. "Check in with your weight-loss doctor or your endocrinologist prior to coming to us to rule out iron, vitamin D or anything that you're lacking — we need to rule that out before we can help you," Delvecchio said. "Then we'll tell you we need to work on your scalp health; we'll give you shampoo and conditioner that may be a little gentler for your hair." "Scalp stimulation is huge," DiMatteo added. "Rinsing with cool water helps as well. Try not to do harsher treatments in the sense of lightening or coloring — spread it out as much as possible." Rabito noted that losing hair is "part of the game" — he said he always warns his patients before starting their weight-loss journey that this will most likely occur and is a "mark of success." "They're going to lose hair," he said. "It's going to get worse before it gets better." "But as long as you get the vitamins controlled, get them adequately repleted — when the patient plateaus and the weight is stable for a month or two, the body doesn't sense starvation anymore, and the body is less stressed, then the hair grows back better than ever." Watt said she often recommends a hair vitamin to her clients struggling with weight loss. "Diet also has a lot to do with it," she noted. She also recommends using a shampoo and conditioner that are formulated to resist thinning and hair loss, along with a bond-building hair product. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter DiMatteo and Delvecchio assured those who are experiencing hair loss that regrowth does take time, and that there's no need for excessive hair growth treatments. Delvecchio added, "The hair loss is temporary. It's a positive stress, and it's worth it." When previously contacted by Fox News Digital, Novo Nordisk — maker of Ozempic and Wegovy — confirmed that hair loss is an identified risk for semaglutide, and is listed as a side effect in the product information. "In clinical trials of Wegovy, hair loss was reported in 2.5% of Wegovy-treated adult patients versus 1.0% of placebo-treated adult patients," the company spokesperson said at the time. For more Health articles, visit "Hair loss was reported more frequently in patients with greater weight loss (≥20%), suggesting that the events of hair loss were potentially related to the magnitude of weight loss." "Patient safety is of utmost importance to Novo Nordisk," the statement continued. "We are continuously monitoring the safety profile of our products and collaborate closely with authorities to ensure patient safety, including adequate information on hair loss." Melissa Rudy contributed article source: Hairstylists and medical expert confirm temporary hair loss affecting Ozempic users
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Detransitioner discusses life after living as a woman in new book
A man who lived as a woman for years believes those who struggle with their gender need to address the underlying issues that drive them to question their identity in order for them to 'embrace' who God made them to be. Walt Heyer, 84, detransitioned 40 years ago after identifying as a woman for eight years. Heyer runs a ministry and website called 'Sex Change Regret' where he says he's helped thousands of people who regret trying to change their gender. Advertisement Heyer and Dr. Jennifer Bauwens, Director of the Center for Family Studies at the Family Research Council, spoke to Fox News Digital about their new book, ' Embracing God's Design ,' which addresses 'the spiritual and psychological crisis behind transgender identity.' The book details the major players in the history of the transgender movement and argues that left-wing activism has influenced diagnostic and ethical standards in the counseling field and harmed patient care over the past two decades. The authors argue that uncovering the root causes of gender confusion is essential to treatment. They also give advice on how friends and family can help those struggling with their gender identity. 4 Walt Heyer, 84, detransitioned 40 years ago after identifying as a woman for eight years. Getty Images 4 Heyer and Dr. Jennifer Bauwens, Director of the Center for Family Studies at the Family Research Council, wrote a book called 'Embracing God's Design,' on 'the spiritual and psychological crisis behind transgender identity.' Fidelis Publishing Advertisement Bauwens, a former trauma therapist and researcher, claims that a great number of people who experience gender confusion also were abused, neglected or had other adverse experiences in their childhood. Professional counseling standards have changed over the years and now push for affirming one's gender identity as part of treatment, she said, adding that this doesn't address the patient's trauma. 'When you look at the data, around half of those who identify as transgender also report some type of abuse, whether it be emotional, psychological, physical, sexual abuse,' Bauwens told Fox News Digital. 4 'When you look at the data, around half of those who identify as transgender also report some type of abuse, whether it be emotional, psychological, physical, sexual abuse,' Bauwens said. Family Research Council Advertisement 'It's actually not only malpractice, it's borderline criminal to treat someone with a surgical procedure who clearly matches the profile of someone who's had really severe abuse,' she said. 'Some of the reasons that are used to quickly get people 'gender-affirming care,' such as suicidality, that's a very common experience of someone who's had abuse. Self-harm is a very common experience of somebody who's abused.' Heyer's own history of gender confusion started at a young age with family members who abused him. 'I was being cross-dressed by my grandma secretly and she was affirming me. She made me a purple chiffon evening dress and that was a secret for about two-and-a-half years,' he explained. 'When I decided to take the purple dress home and my parents found it, and they realized grandma had been cross-dressing me, and I was enjoying it as a four or five, 6-year-old boy, then the heavy discipline started with my father. Then his adopted teenage brother sexually molested me. So that's where the trauma comes in.' Advertisement Heyer started identifying as a female as a teenager and became an alcoholic in his 20s as he dealt with the grief from his father dying from cancer. He started taking cross-sex hormones and was eventually diagnosed with gender dysphoria in his 40s and underwent sex change surgery to live as 'Laura Jensen' for eight years. He said his therapist 'didn't take into account that I'd been sexually, physically and emotionally abused which was really the problem, and it wasn't gender dysphoria.' 'I've worked with thousands of people over the last 20 years. And when I work with them, I always ask them, what caused you to not like who you are?' Heyer said of his ministry. 'When we dive into this discussion, they peel back the issues, and we look back, and we find out that they were sexually abused and emotionally abused, physically abused. They were abandoned. They were in foster care.' 4 Heyers said his therapist 'didn't take into account that I'd been sexually, physically and emotionally abused which was really the problem, and it wasn't gender dysphoria.' Prostock-studio – 'Something happened that caused them to not like who they are. It's not even a gender issue. That's why Jennifer referred to it as an identity issue. They like to say that it's a gender issue because then you can apply hormones in surgery, but that doesn't fix the problem.' Heyer credits God for 'redeeming and restoring his life,' as well as a few Christian counselors who helped him to get sober, address his gender issues, and turn his life around. The Christian authors believe that the modern gender movement is a spiritual battle that should be taken seriously by people of faith. 'The gender movement isn't just about erasing male or female. It's actually about erasing the very image of God and family, because family is the first place that we learn safety, security, and there are attributes of male and female that God has uniquely embedded in our DNA, in our design,' Bauwens said. 'And when you erase those or attempt to erase those, you're erasing an aspect of the very heart and nature of God.' Advertisement 'We look at our young people in our world, especially our country right now, and many people are saying, 'why is there such a mental health crisis?' As if we can divorce this current issue from the very mental health crisis that we're trying to fix,' she continued. 'When you erase the very design of God, in a generation or try to do that, then we're left with people who have no identity, no rudder, no sense that there's a higher purpose to life, that there is meaning through relationship and how God made us… So I would argue that there's much more at stake with the battle we're facing. And it's really a good fight of faith that we are embracing here,' Bauwens said.
