Detransitioner Releases New Book Exploring Spiritual Identity After Living as a Woman for Eight Years

Detransitioner Releases New Book Exploring Spiritual Identity After Living as a Woman for Eight Years

A man who lived as a woman for eight years believes individuals confronting gender identity issues must address the deep-rooted factors impacting their sense of self. This perspective seeks to help them embrace the identity that aligns with what he believes is God’s intended design.

Walt Heyer, now 84 years old, detransitioned 40 years ago after spending almost a decade identifying as female. Heyer leads a ministry and operates a website titled “Sex Change Regret,” which has supported thousands of individuals regretting their choices surrounding gender transition.

Heyer, alongside Dr. Jennifer Bauwens, Director of the Center for Family Studies at the Family Research Council, spoke with Fox News Digital about their recently published book, Embracing God’s Design. This book tackles the spiritual and psychological crises associated with transgender identity.

Understanding the Impact of Gender Identity Crisis

The authors argue that the influence of left-wing activism has deviated diagnostic and ethical standards within the counseling community. Consequently, this shift has had detrimental effects on patient care for individuals struggling with gender identity.

Emphasizing the need for uncovering the root causes of gender confusion, the book offers insight into how friends and family can effectively support individuals in distress regarding their gender identity.

Insights from Dr. Bauwens

Dr. Bauwens, who has a background in trauma therapy, notes that many individuals grappling with gender confusion have histories of abuse or neglect during childhood. This troubling trend raises serious concerns about the adequacy of contemporary counseling practices.

She states, “Looking at the data reveals that nearly half of those who identify as transgender report experiencing some form of abuse, whether emotional, psychological, physical, or sexual in nature.” These findings prompt serious reflections on the appropriateness of surgical interventions for such vulnerable individuals.

Dr. Bauwens emphasized that the rapid push for gender-affirming care often overlooks significant underlying trauma. “It is professionally irresponsible to subject someone with a traumatic background to surgical procedures based solely on gender identity claims,” she explained.

A Personal Journey of Healing

Walt Heyer’s journey of gender confusion commenced in childhood, marked by abuse from family members. He describes being secretly dressed as a girl by a grandmother who affirmed his gender expression. This experience would lead to layers of confusion and trauma.

“I was cross-dressed by my grandma for years,” he recalled. “When my parents discovered this, my father became harsh. This led to even more trauma, including sexual abuse from my adopted teenage uncle. That was the catalyst for many of my struggles.”

Choosing to identify as female in his teenage years, Heyer battled alcoholism throughout his twenties, much of which stemmed from grief related to his father’s death from cancer.

After being diagnosed with gender dysphoria in his forties, he underwent sex change surgery and adopted the name Laura Jensen for eight years. Heyer later recognized that his emotional and physical abuse was the true source of his distress, not his gender identity.

Addressing Misconceptions About Gender Dysphoria

Heyer emphasized the need to approach gender dysphoria with a comprehensive understanding of personal history. “During my ministry, I often ask individuals why they struggle with self-acceptance,” he said. “Through these conversations, we uncover patterns of abuse, neglect, and abandonment that fueled their identity crisis.”

He cautioned against viewing gender identity issues solely through a medical lens. “It’s not merely a question of gender. It is fundamentally about identity, and many issues relate to personal trauma rather than gender itself,” he stated.

The Role of Faith in Recovery

Heyer attributes his transformation to his faith and support from Christian counselors who helped him confront his past and find sobriety. Their guidance enabled him to reassess his gender identity journey and reclaim his life.

Both Heyer and Dr. Bauwens assert that the contemporary gender movement reflects a significant spiritual battle. This movement, they argue, threatens to undermine traditional understandings of identity within faith communities.

A Call to Action for Faith Communities

Dr. Bauwens insists that the gender movement extends beyond individual identity struggles. She argues it challenges fundamental beliefs about family and God’s image. “When we attempt to erase the differences between male and female, we assault the very fabric of family and divine creation,” she asserted.

She urges faith communities to recognize the relationship between the gender crisis and the broader mental health challenges faced by many today. “The identity crisis among young people cannot be viewed in isolation from the mental health crisis plaguing our society. We must acknowledge that erasing divine design leaves individuals adrift, stripped of identity and purpose,” she advised.

In closing, Heyer and Dr. Bauwens call on individuals of faith to engage actively in this discourse. They advocate for compassion and understanding while challenging the ideologies that endanger the soul of future generations.