DeepSummary
The episode discusses the anti-trans movement's narrative of "rapid onset gender dysphoria" (ROGD), which claims that children are being rushed into transitioning due to social contagion or pressure from online communities and peers. The hosts analyze studies and reports purportedly supporting this narrative, revealing methodological flaws, biased recruitment of participants, and misrepresentation of findings.
They examine the widely cited study by Lisa Littman, which was heavily corrected due to issues like recruiting participants from anti-trans websites and leading questions. Other supposed evidence like lawsuits, whistleblower accounts, and leaked documents are also scrutinized, demonstrating how they fail to substantiate claims of children being rushed into transitioning.
Despite the lack of credible evidence, the ROGD narrative has been instrumental in passing anti-trans legislation restricting access to gender-affirming care for minors. The hosts express concern over the moral panic around this issue, driven by misinformation and disregard for the well-being of trans youth.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The 'rapid onset gender dysphoria' narrative promoted by anti-trans groups lacks credible scientific evidence and relies on flawed methodologies and biased sources.
- Studies and reports touted as proof of ROGD actually contradict the claim that trans youth are being rushed into transitioning or unduly influenced by social factors.
- The ROGD narrative pathologizes the coming-out experiences of trans youth and perpetuates harmful stereotypes about women and mental health.
- Despite the lack of substantiation, the ROGD narrative has been instrumental in passing legislation restricting access to gender-affirming care for trans minors.
- The hosts express concern over the moral panic surrounding this issue, driven by misinformation and disregard for the well-being and autonomy of trans individuals.
- The debate around ROGD exemplifies how anti-trans rhetoric often relies on conspiracy theories, anecdotal evidence, and distortion of scientific research.
- Proponents of ROGD frequently misrepresent or cherry-pick data to fit their preconceived notions, ignoring evidence and perspectives that contradict their narratives.
- The episode highlights the importance of critically examining claims, methodologies, and sources, especially when they have real-world implications for marginalized communities.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Do you want to hear the. Do you want to hear the galaxy brain justification for these? You say no, but I'm just gonna keep going regardless. I was just waiting for that. That's a formality to hear.“ by Michael Hobbs
- “I would be very upset if there was research into gay people, and the way that they got their data was by, like, asking James Dobson, why didn't you ask the gay people who were right there? Huh?“ by Aubrey Gordon
- “This is another bizarre fucking conspiracy theory that transphobes always trot out that gay kids are saying that they're trans because, like, it's easier to be a trans person than a gay person.“ by Michael Hobbs
- “Girls were more likely to report fewer hours of sleep than boys, and to report experiencing disrupted sleep more often or most of the time. Again, its not really saying what it means, but its like, yeah, girls are like, so I guess, like, sleep deprived and mentally ill that they all think they're trans.“ by Michael Hobbs
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Episode Information
Maintenance Phase
Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes
6/18/24
Thanks to Jules Gill-Peterson (jgillpeterson.com) and Julia Serano (patreon.com/juliaserano) for help researching this episode and Evan Urquhart, Parker Molloy and Katelyn Burns for fact-checking!
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Links!
- Origins of "Social Contagion" and "Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria"
- The "Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria" Controversy at AACAP's Annual Meeting
- Methodological Critique Of The Cass Review
- Methodological Critique of Littman (2018)
- Parent reports of adolescents and young adults perceived to show signs of a rapid onset of gender dysphoria
- A critical commentary on ‘rapid-onset gender dysphoria’.
- Foundations Of The Contemporary Anti-LGBTQ+ Pseudoscience Network
- Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria: Parent Reports on 1,655 Possible Cases
- Opinion: England's Anti-Trans Cass Review Is Politics Disguised As Science
- Tavistock v Bell
- Actually Nothing: The Non-Starter Non-Story of the WPATH Files
- As anti-trans legislation proliferates in 2024, community fears erasure from public view
- States Passed a Record Number of Transgender Laws. Here’s What They Say.
Thanks to Doctor Dreamchip for our lovely theme song!