Unraveling Disinformation in the New York Times Anti-Trans Op-Ed
I am still processing my outrage at The New York Times for allowing such a misinformed piece to be published.
Sadly, I am not surprised.
Over the past week, I have been inundated with messages from worried parents and caregivers. They've been bombarded with an op-ed by opinion columnist Pamela Paul, leading to painful questioning of their judgment and unwavering commitment to honoring their children's identities. Even more alarming, concerns about unfounded allegations of sexual abuse causing transness have surfaced, creating a disturbing narrative and false and frightening sense of causation.
To be clear: childhood trauma does not cause transness nor should it preclude someone from accessing gender affirming care.
This opinion piece stands not just as a misinformed publication but as a direct threat to the hard-won progress we have made in the field of gender-affirming care. As a gender specialist, I am appalled at the blatant disregard for factual and compassionate reporting. We have fought tirelessly to ensure that trans youth have access to the medically necessary, life-saving care they deserve. Such care is not a luxury; it is a human right and a critical component of their well-being and survival. Here’s just a few of Paul’s claims that rely on pseudoscience and have been debunked by factual information.
Debunking Paul’s Myths
Myth #1: Rapid onset gender dysphoria and transgender social contagion is making people trans.
Fact: Rapid onset gender dysphoria and transgender social contagion are not validated theories, & have been widely debunked as pseudoscience by major medical organizations. The perceived rapidness of coming out is actually a parental temporal misalignment. In essence, temporal misalignment asserts that your child has likely explored, researched, questioned and educated themselves long before coming out to you.
Myth #2: Clinicians don’t ask questions about trauma, gender, or sexual orientation as part of assessment for gender affirming care.
Fact: Practitioners providing gender affirming care have to follow standards of care and conduct a biopsychosocial assessment which require these types of questions. These aspects are crucial for understanding the individual's overall mental health and ensuring that the care provided is appropriate and supportive of their gender identity.
Myth #3: Stephanie Winn, a “licensed marriage and family therapist”, spoke out in favor to “approach gender dysphoria in a more considered way” (but then was “investigated” for conversion therapy.)
Fact: Winn suggested treating trans youth with acupuncture to “see if they like having needles put in them” because it could “help spark desistance.” She also pushed the idea that transgender men should be estrogen to make them feel more feminine. In Winn’s article herself she writes “What follows is not medical advice. It is a series of ideas to contemplate as thought experiments that could spark other insights.” Allegations against Winn are linked to extremely cruel suggestions and musings around how transgender youth should be dealt using cruel, coercive, and painful conversion therapy techniques.
Myth #4: Transgender people may actually just be gay, and transitioning is a form of “conversion therapy.”
Fact: To conflate these identities is Paul’s first error; though they are both important aspects to understanding one’s identity, gender and sexuality are different. In fact, many transgender people identify as gay or bisexual after transition. Additionally, gay, lesbian and bisexual acceptance is higher than trans acceptance, meaning her claim not only lacks proof, but some common sense as well.
Myth #5: 80% of transgender individuals desist from being trans if they go through puberty without intervention, and another study suggests that 30% of individuals stop taking hormone therapy medication.
Fact: Detransition rates are estimated to be between 1-4%. The study citing an 80% detransition rate is based on faulty outdated data and criteria. The study indicating a 30% discontinuation rate is based on military families not refilling their prescriptions through Tricare, rather than actual discontinuation of hormone therapy. The reality is that for many transgender people, taking hormone-replacement therapy is not a linear journey and with the support of an individual’s care team, may include different changes based on the individual’s personal goals and needs.
Myth #6: Practitioners “hands have been tied by activist pressure and organizational capture and it has become difficult to practice responsible mental health care or medicine.
Fact: All major medical associations agree that gender affirming care is life saving, medically necessary care. The American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics have wholeheartedly backed the gender-affirming model for youth.
Myth #7: Treating gender dysphoric youth is complicated by the high incidence of accompanying conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder.
Fact: While there is a significant overlap between neurodivergence and gender and sexuality gender dysphoria can and should still be treated thoughtfully. Autistic folks still deserve bodily autonomy and to make informed decisions about their care.
Myth # 8: The New York Times is a reputable source with unbiased coverage and is simply engaging in “debate”.
Fact: The reporting on trans people, among other marginalized groups, has proven time and time again that they lack accountability to the truth and that their opinion pieces especially, cannot be treated as a reputable source. In 2023 more than 100 organizations and leaders signed a letter to the NYT demanding a stop to biased and irresponsible coverage of transgender people. GLAAD’s Serena Sonoma wrote, “The Times’ reporting is being weaponized against the trans community, and is therefore actively contributing to an ongoing climate of discrimination and violence.” Read more here.
Fight With Facts- Stand Up Against Disinformation
May this be a reminder that Pamela Paul’s opinion piece is just that- her unqualified opinion- and not professional expertise, lived experience, or facts. The New York Times has no accountability to the truth and is publishing dangerous disinformation.
I call upon my fellow professionals, allies, and advocates in the community to stand united against such dangerous rhetoric. We must raise our voices, not only in defense of our work but in staunch support of the rights and dignity of trans youth. These young people and their families deserve a world where their identities are celebrated, their experiences validated, and their access to essential care unquestioned.
For more resources debunking these false claims, check out these articles to continue reading:
Pamela Paul Shows NYT Opinion’s Lack of Accountability to the Truth- Evan Urquhart, Assigned Media
Debunked: Misleading NYT Anti-Trans Article By Pamela Paul Relies On Pseudoscience- Erin Reed, Erin in the Morning
A day in the life of working with trans youth: Navigating the fallout of harmful media coverage- Laura Hoge, The Advocate
Recent NYT Op-Ed Dishes Transphobia Fashioned for a Liberal Palate- Jess Romeo, My Gender IQ
Take Action Today!
Go to the Protect Trans Youth page for ways to take action, resources, and suggestions for where to donate your time and money.
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