As Nature Made Him

When the Reimers return to Winnipeg, Brenda’s anxiety remains. The school principal notices “her anxiety, social isolation, and fear immediately” and sends her to a clinician (111). In an interview with a psychologist, she reveals suicidal thoughts along with “strong fears that something has been done to her genital organs” (112). They refer her to Keith Sigmundson, a young psychiatrist.

Colapinto describes a brief video taken during an attempted interview with Sigmundson. “Everyone who saw Brenda” in that video identifies her as a boy (113). But all of those many doctors agree “that they had little choice but to continue the treatment Money had begun” (113). Sigmundson sends Brenda to Dr. Moggey, a female psychiatrist, in the hope that her gender will help, but “Moggey’s doubts quickly deepened” (114). Moggey is baffled by how much the Reimers’ lives diverge from what she read about in Dr. Money’s book.

Moggey writes to Money about Brenda’s struggles. With a “breezy tone,” in his response, Money dismisses Moggey’s questions and concerns. Moggey finds a psychiatrist for Janet and refuses to blame her for Brenda’s failure to identify as a girl. Brenda resists Moggey’s efforts to encourage her to get surgery.