I do think "literally zero evidence indicates that gatekeeping medical transition does anything to prevent regret, but the harm done by gatekeeping is extensively documented" is a much stronger argument than "regret isn't real" cause there's always going to be some anecdote that puts you in a weak-looking rhetorical position for the latter, but the former is pretty unassailable.

You really need to approach this "debate" with an understanding that opponents of gender-affirming care are proposing treatments and methodologies backed by Jack Shit. "Gatekeep harder to prevent regret" has an equal amount of evidence backing it as "give them ivermectin to prevent regret" or "try to balance the humours?" or "try putting a scalpel in a glass of water then dilute that water at a 1:1000 ratio 40 times to make a homeopathic cure for the regret"

And it's important to know that these people don't mean anything they say.

They don't want you to transition. They don't want anyone to transition. Ever. Never. They just know they can't SAY that out loud because it'll lose them votes.

It's just like the bullshit with racism. "Oh you don't think people of color get an equal shot? Well why can I name exactly one rich black person?"

I met a woman from the right wing party of Norway the other day and she was pushing all the bullshit "maybe we should just have people wait until they're 18" and "improving the lives of trans people isn't on our priority list NOW but maybe later" and "oh someone who is 5 doesn't know what gender is so let's make people wait until they're 21"

They JUST don't want people to transition. AT ALL. And they know that trans people DIE when they don't transition

So

Every single politician pushing a "Wait" narrative is a fucking MURDERER

They should go to prison for negligent homicide