Dennis Hannon fought over his son Matthew’s gender transition treatment. He lost custody and decision rights after opposing puberty blockers. No formal gender dysphoria diagnosis was made.
This battle shows the mess of gender-affirming care for kids. Courts now step into family issues. It stirs debates on trans minors’ medical care. Laws differ by state. Social transitioning for kids is tough.
Family Shock
Dennis Hannon didn’t know his ex-wife dressed their son as a girl named Ruby. A letter from school revealed this, using female pronouns for Matthew. Shocked, Hannon found out about therapy and planned puberty blockers without his consent. He sued to learn more about his son’s treatment.
Legal Battle
The legal fight drained Hannon emotionally and financially. He lost, kept only visitation rights, and couldn’t impact medical decisions. The court ignored the lack of a gender dysphoria diagnosis. Hannon saw the transition as pushed by his ex-wife. His son, once back to living as a boy, had faced no prior distress.