Transgender Medication

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Dear Rabbi Simon
As a pharmacist I am seeing more and more prescriptions for ‘transgender’ medication or medication for these operations. Is it halakhically a problem for me to dispense/deal with such medications? I’m guessing it’s not a problem because our customers are generally not Jewish (I work in London, not Tel Aviv) but just want to be sure it’s not a problem.
Thank you.
Dina

Hi Dina
TY for your interesting question.
This is allowed (even if it is distasteful) for a number of reasons, including the fact that a psychiatrist may have prescribed the medication for legitimate or life-saving reasons. Perhaps the customer/patient seeks to moderate a hormonal imbalance rather than to effect an outright sex change. I recognise that these possibilities may be far-fetched but the existence of doubt is sufficient to permit you to dispense the medication.
Best wishes and stay safe
Rabbi Rashi Simon

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Ask the Rabbi: Quinoa on Pesach
Dear Rabbi Simon,
Where do you stand on quinoa (and the kitniyot ban) for Pesach?
Many thanks,
Tzippy
***
Dear Tzippy,
In line with other American authorities, I am in favour of quinoa. Although I reject completely the voices (mostly from Israel) seeking to abolish the ban on kitniyot entirely, IMO we do not need to include in the prohibition pseudo-grains that were unknown in the Old World until modern times. Best to buy with a Pesach hechsher though, to be free of any possible wheat contamination.
Rabbi Rashi Simon
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