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ex-trans movement

“Chloe Cole” is the stage name of Chloe Brockman, an American ex-transgender activist. Similar to the ex-gay movement, ex-trans activists get money and attention by making it harder for others to get trans healthcare. Many claim to have been cured of being trans via “desistance” or “detransition.”

Background

Chloe Elise Brockman was born July 27, 2004.

Brockman’s mother is Jocelyn V. (Torrecampo) Brockman (born 1968), a perioperative nurse who has worked for Kaiser Permanente. Jocelyn Brockman married Jeffrey Allen “Jeff” Brockman (born 1971), an IT entrepreneur who was raised in a Mormon household.

Chloe Brockman has four adult siblings: Jacob, Chelsea, Maddie, and Calvin. At this time, it’s unclear if they are a blended family. It is possible some of the children were fostered or adopted. It appears that Jocelyn also has a family connection to Donald Lee Tre Davis (born 1970).

Chloe Brockman grew up in Manteca, California. As a child, Brockman had two cleft palate repair surgeries.

Brockman had an “emotionally troubled” childhood that included several assessments and diagnoses:

  • September 12, 2012 (age 8): “disruptive behavior disorder”
  • November 26, 2013 (age 9): “encounter for school problem”
  • October 9, 2015 (age 11): “attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder” (ADHD)

According to self-reports, Brockman came out as trans after exhibiting gender-diverse behavior starting about age 9, around the time puberty started. Brockman created an Instagram account at 11. In May 2017, at age 12, Brockman wrote a letter to both parents, asking to be referred to as a boy and by the names Ky or Chi.

On November 30, 2017, Brockman had a consultation with an endocrinologist who advised against beginning hormone therapy. The family sought a second opinion on Brockman’s insistence and gave legal consent for medical transition.

In early 2018, at age 13, Brockman began a medical transition under the care of endocrinologist Lisa Taylor, with puberty blockers followed by testosterone injections starting a month later.

At age 14, Brockman’s chest was groped at school by a bully. This traumatic event led to daily use of a chest binder. Brockman asked Taylor for a referral to plastic surgeon Hop Le. Brockman then had a psychological evaluation with Susanne Watson, who recommended honoring Brockman’s request for top surgery.

Amid the pressure of trying to help their troubled child, Brockman’s parents filed for divorce in 2019.

Brockman began using the given name Leo and was encouraged to attend classes with a family peer group of other transmasculine minors. Brockman’s surgery occurred following parental consent. On June 3, 2020, Brockman underwent top surgery a month before turning 16. During COVID quarantine in the summer of 2020, Brockman started to have “regrets” before discontinuing hormones in May 2021. According to the 2023 lawsuit, Brockman “became intensely suicidal for the first time and prone to emotional outbursts.” Elsewhere in the lawsuit, they claim Brockman was exhibiting “passive suicidal ideation” around the time Jeff and Jocelyn filed for divorce (which it appears they never finalized).

Brockman failed out of high school as a senior and had to get a California High School Proficiency Exam Certificate instead. As failure, isolation, and rejection took their toll, Brockman was radicalized by conservative edgelord online culture. Anti-transgender activism soon followed. This brought Brockman to the attention of Harmeet Dhillon and other conservative or fascist activists, who began showering Brockman with money and attention.

2022

February: Creates Twitter account ChoooCole

April: Creates Twitter account puddingpandan

April 19: Profiled by Suzy Weiss (sister of Bari Weiss)

April 19: Do No Harm Foundation’s Stanley Goldfarb announces launch; later funds some of Brockman’s activism

May: Testifies against gender-affirming care in Ohio

June 28: Testifies against gender-affirming care in California (SB107)

July: Turns 18

July: Testifies against Medicaid coverage for trans healthcare in Florida

July 13: Registers imperfectlyme.org

July 15: Creates GoFundMe

July 24: Conservative IT entrepreneur Steven Corpus “Steve” Beddoe registers the corporation Trenderz LLC in California as part of the domain and GoFundMe marketing campaign. “Trender” is a slur in toxic online communities to describe people who allegedly make a gender transition because it’s trendy.

September: Supports “Protect Children’s Innocence Act” by Marjorie Taylor Greene

September: Testifies against California becoming a sanctuary state for children seeking gender-affirming care

September 28: Interview with David Freiheit of Viva Frei

October 9: Appears on a Twitch stream with other conservative trans media figures Blaire White, Buck Angel, “Shape Shifter,” Fabian Liberty, “TullipR,” and “Taftaj”

October 21: Creates Instagram account chooocole

October: Speaks at “Rally to End Child Mutilation” in Tennessee

October 27: Preaches at Godspeak Cavalry Chapel

November 9: Announces notice of intent to sue

November 11: Interview with Tucker Carlson

November 17: Interview with Tulsi Gabbard

December 12: Interview with Rita Panahi of Sky News Australia

December 22: Interview with Marissa Streit of PragerU

December 22: Interview with Glenn Beck

2023

January 2: Interview with Jordan Peterson

January 6: Interview with Drea Humphrey of Rebel News

January 12: Profile on The Daily Signal

January 12: Interview with Kevin Roberts for The Heritage Foundation

January 24: Testifies in support of Utah ban on gender-affirming care for minors (House Bill 132)

January: Speaks at “Teens Against Gender Mutilation Rally” in Tennessee

January: Speaks at Parents on Patrol panel “Stolen Innocence: A Panel on the Insidious Ideology Infecting Your Children’s Education”

January 31: Testified in support of Tennessee House Bill and Senate Bill 1 banning gender affirming care for minors

February 6: Interview with Megyn Kelly

February 6: Profile on Independent Women’s Forum

February: Supports Idaho ban on gender-affirming care for minors (House Bill 71,); her appearance was financed by conservative Idaho Freedom Foundation

February: Testifies in favor of Kansas ban on gender-affirming care for minors (Senate Bill 233)

February 17: Testifies in favor of South Dakota HB 1080 banning gender-affirming care for minors

February 21: addressed the Florida House Health & Human Services Committee

March 3: Appears on a panel at Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)

March 12: Appears with six ex-trans activists in Sacramento for “Detransition Awareness Day”

March 28: Interview with Charlie Kirk and Jack Posobiec

April 17: Appears at Dartmouth Republicans event in New Hampshire

April 20: Testifies in favor of New Hampshire Parental Rights Bill

May 2: Testifies in favor of Louisiana ban on gender-affirming care for minors (House Bill 463)

April 19: Testifies in favor of New Hampshire Bill SB272 banning gender-affirming care for minors

May 26: Testifies in favor of House Bill 454 banning gender-affirming care for minors

2023 lawsuit

On February 22, 2023 conservative lawyers filed suit in California, alleging Brockman was a victim of medical negligence.

Plaintiff

  • Chloe E. Brockman a/k/a Chloe Cole

Defendants

  • Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, Inc.
  • Permanente Medical Group, Inc.
    • Lisa Kristine Taylor, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist
    • Hop Nguyen Le, MD, a plastic surgeon
    • Susanne E. Watson, PhD, a clinical psychologist
  • Does 1 through 50

Brockman’s lawyers

  • Charles S. LiMandri
  • Paul M. Jonna
  • Robert E. Weisenburger
  • Harmeet K. Dhillon
  • John-Paul S. Deol
  • Jesse D. Franklin-Murdock
  • Mark E. Trammell

The lawyers claim Brockman has had these conditions:

  • pornography addiction
  • disruptive behavior disorder (diagnosed September 12, 2012)
  • encounter for school problem (diagnosed November 26, 2013)
  • ADHD (diagnosed October 9, 2015)
  • general anxiety
  • social anxiety
  • speech difficulties
  • depression
  • pubertal struggles associated with significantly increased negative emotions
  • body dysmorphia and serious self-image concerns
  • symptoms of an eating disorder
  • learning disabilities
  • autism spectrum symptoms
  • a cleft palate for which surgery had been performed
  • concerns about being sexually abused or raped, that eventually materialized into a sexual assault
  • exposure to only negative aspects about being female, without any discussion of the positive aspects of being female, including menstrual cycles, pregnancy, childbirth, male domination, and similar distorting ideas
  • difficulty at school
  • trouble with social interaction and learning
  • social troubles
  • severe distress
  • ongoing confusion regarding her gender
  • suicidal ideation

They put forth the “social contagion” model that claims Brockman was misled by LGBT activist groups and transgender social media influencers.

They also make the common ex-trans claim: “The fact that Plaintiff detransitioned after the so-called treatment establishes res ipsa loquitor that Plaintiff was not transgender.”

References

Astor, Maggie (May 16, 2023) How a Few Stories of Regret Fuel the Push to Restrict Gender Transition Care. New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/16/us/politics/transgender-care-detransitioners.html

Abou-Diwan, Antoine (February 28, 2023). Stockton woman one of few to sue over transgender surgery. California Lawyer https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/371380-stockton-woman-one-of-few-to-sue-over-transgender-surgery

Suratos, Pete (February 23, 2023). Kaiser Permanente sued over hormone therapy. NBC Bay Area https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/kaiser-permanente-sued-over-hormone-therapy/3164935/

Allday, Erin (February 23, 2023). Conservative group sues Kaiser Permanente over transgender careSan Francisco Chronicle.  https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/anti-trans-lawsuit-17801484.php

San Joaquin County Superior Courts (May 14, 2019). Jocelyn Brockman v. Jeffrey Brockman Stockton Family Law Courthouse, Judge Robin Appel presiding. https://unicourt.com/case/ca-sj-jocelyn-brockman-vs-jeffrey-brockman-565410

Ennis, Dawn (September 11, 2022). California ex-trans teen is national right-wing media’s darlingLos Angeles Blade. https://www.losangelesblade.com/2022/09/11/california-ex-trans-teen-is-national-right-wing-medias-darling/

Ashley, Asia Ashley (September 28, 2022). Rep. Taylor Greene promotes bill to nationally ban services that alter children’s genderThe Cullman Times. https://www.cullmantimes.com/news/rep-taylor-greene-promotes-bill-to-nationally-ban-services-that-alter-childrens-gender/article_8e523a90-3de1-11ed-bf3b-c7a04869120b.html

Masters, Hamilton Matthew (January 30, 2022). Proud Boys and LGBTQ rights supporters face off in MurfreesboroNashville Scene.  https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pithinthewind/proud-boys-and-lgbtq-rights-supporters-face-off-in-murfreesboro/article_4434885c-a0c7-11ed-9435-df49b232d251.html

Clark, Quinn (January 27, 2023). Panel of right-wing activists claim schools are ‘sexually grooming’ children by teaching gender identity, event at Pewaukee hotel draws protestsMilwaukee Journal Sentinel. https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/lake-country/2023/01/27/parents-on-patrol-event-at-ingleside-hotel-in-pewaukee-draws-protest/69845712007/

Kam, Dara (July 9, 2022). Florida’s transgender treatment rule draws raucous responseWUWF https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/florida-medical-board-votes-ban-gender-affirming-care-transgender-mino-rcna54632

 Yurcaba, Jo (October 29, 2022). Florida medical board votes to ban gender-affirming care for transgender minorsNBC News

McKellar, Katie (January 24, 2023). Utah lawmakers reject hardline ban on transgender treatments for kidsDeseret News. https://www.deseret.com/utah/2023/1/24/23568290/transgender-surgeries-hormone-therapy-utah-legislature-lgbtq-law

Mipro, Rachel (January 13, 2023). New bill would ban gender-affirming medication and surgery for Kansans under the age of 21Kansas Reflector. https://www.newschannel5.com/news/bill-restricting-gender-affirming-care-among-minors-nudged-forward-in-tennessee-legislature

Davis, Chris; West, Emily (January 31, 2023). Bill restricting gender-affirming care among minors nudged forward in Tennessee legislatureNews Channel 5

Holmes, Brian; Baertlein, Andrew (February 2, 2023). Idaho bill to ban gender affirming care for minors is met with opposing perspectivesKTVB7. https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/politics/local-idaho-bill-to-ban-gender-affirming-care-for-minors-is-met-with-opposing-perspectives/277-217363de-44ba-4e9e-9fec-69c5c66a9936

Villarreal, Daniel (October 28, 2022). GOP senator speaks at transphobic rally where people threatened to kill doctorsLGBTQ Nation. https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/10/gop-senator-speaks-transphobic-rally-people-threatened-kill-doctors/

Gingerich, Mia (October 27, 2022). Death threats, Proud Boys, and homophobic bigots: Matt Walsh’s anti-trans rally drew a crowd of extremistsMedia Matters for America. https://www.mediamatters.org/matt-walsh/death-threats-proud-boys-and-homophobic-bigots-matt-walshs-anti-trans-rally-drew-crowd

Herner, Hannah (October 21, 2022). Anti-Trans rally led by Matt Walsh brings right-wing media stars to NashvilleNashville Scene.  https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pithinthewind/anti-trans-rally-led-by-matt-walsh-brings-right-wing-media-stars-to-nashville/article_62c08340-5160-11ed-81bb-53478d4387aa.html

Schemmel, Alec (February 7, 2023). ‘Hateful, dangerous’: Event warning about consequences of gender transitions droppedKATV.  https://katv.com/news/nation-world/hateful-dangerous-event-warning-about-consequences-of-gender-transitions-dropped-eventbrite-trans-transgender-gender-identity-transgenderism-parents-on-patrol

Weiss, Suzy (April 19, 2022). The testosterone hangover. Common Sense / The Free Press https://www.thefp.com/p/the-testosterone-hangover

Resources

Chloe Cole (chooocole.com) [parked]

Twitter (twitter.com)

GoFundMe (https://www.gofundme.com/)

Instagram (instagram.com)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Lee Leveille is a former member of the “ex-transgender” movement. In January 2021, Leveille and partner Ky Schevers launched the organization Health Liberation Now!

Background

Leveille was born in June 1988 on a military base in San Diego, California. They moved to Sumner, Maine in around 1997. Leveille has a sibling who is four years younger. Leveille earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Maine at Machias. Leveille is an intentional peer support (IPS) specialist.

Leveille converted to Judaism in 2016 and identifies as disabled and trans androgynos.

Activism

Following a gender transition, in the late 2000s Leveille became active in disability justice, trans rights, and opposing psychiatric oppression. Leveille experienced vision loss during a change in gender identity and expression.

Following a “detransition,” Leveille was a founding director of Gender Care Consumer Advocacy Network (GCCAN), an anti-trans organization.

Leveille resigned from the group in 2020 and has since been heavily involved in exposing anti-trans activists, particularly those who exploit and uplift “detransition” narratives.

Leveille is a coauthor of the 2023 CAPTAIN report by Southern Poverty Law Center that traces the origins of 21st-century anti-transgender extremism.

References

Leveille, Lee (May 19, 2022). My Resignation Letter to Gender Care Consumer Advocacy Network (GCCAN). Medium https://thatweirdolee.medium.com/my-resignation-letter-to-gender-care-consumer-advocacy-network-gccan-59596eb53f96

Leveille, Lee (January 20, 2021). I’m A Trans Person That Helped Found a “Detransition Advocacy” Organization Health Liberation Now! https://healthliberationnow.com/2021/01/20/im-a-trans-person-that-helped-found-a-detransition-advocacy-organization/

Student interviewer (March 14, 2019). Lee Leveille. Querying the Past: LGBTQ Maine Oral History Project Collection, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer+ Collection, Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine, University of Southern Maine Libraries. https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/querying_ohproject/41/

Resources

Health Liberation Now! (healthliberationnow.com)

Reclaiming Trans Butch (reclaimingtransbutch.com) [archive]

Gender Care Consumer Advocacy Network (gccan.org) [archive]

  • Who We Are [archive]
  • gccan.org/who-we-are

Medium (medium.com)

Southern Poverty Law Center (splcenter.org)

The Gender Care Consumer Advocacy Network (GCCAN) is a “ex-transgender” organization that seeks to limit trans healthcare options.

“Ex-trans” activists are similar to “ex-gay” activists who claim they have changed. Many claim they were cured via “desistance” (as minors) or “detransition” (as adults).

Background

Lee Leveille was one of the founding members and original Vice President. Leveille describes GCCAN’s founding

In August 2019, a detransitioned family therapist named Carey Callahan put out an organizing call to build bridges between trans and detrans people who had experienced medical trauma. The two of us teamed up with Grace Lidinsky-Smith and Corinna Cohn, where we worked to found an advocacy organization aimed at broadening the discussion on effective transgender-related health care. We also sought to do so without any political allegiance, purposefully maintaining distance from individuals or organizations that could weaponize the group’s message for their own gain. It was, by and large, a patient rights organization meant to be by the people for the people. That December, the group went live under the name Gender Care Consumer Advocacy Network, or GCCAN.

Leveille resigned in March 2020 due to “the direction I saw the group going in and what damage it could do to people they claimed to represent.”

Members of the group have gone on to testify in support of banning trans healthcare for young people.

Current

Former

In 2024 the site went offline.

References

Leveille, Lee (May 19, 2022). My Resignation Letter to Gender Care Consumer Advocacy Network (GCCAN). Medium https://thatweirdolee.medium.com/my-resignation-letter-to-gender-care-consumer-advocacy-network-gccan-59596eb53f96

Leveille, Lee (January 18, 2021). I’m A Trans Person That Helped Found a “Detransition Advocacy” Organization. Medium https://thatweirdolee.medium.com/im-a-trans-person-that-helped-found-a-detransition-advocacy-organization-57d18572be32

Ring, Trudy (May 4, 2021). 60 Minutes Story Focuses on Transition Regret, Gets Slammed. The Advocate https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2021/5/24/60-minutes-story-focuses-transition-regret-gets-slammed

Lidinsky-Smith, Grace (June 25, 2021). There’s No Standard for Care When it Comes to Trans Medicine | Opinion Newsweek https://www.newsweek.com/theres-no-standard-care-when-it-comes-trans-medicine-opinion-1603450

Resources

Gender Care Consumer Advocacy Network (gccan.org) [archive]

  • Who We Are [archive]
  • gccan.org/who-we-are

Twitter (twitter.com)

Grace Branham is an American “ex-transgender” activist.

Branham served as treasurer for anti-trans organization Gender Care Consumer Advocacy Network (GCCAN).

Background

Branham earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 2018 and a graduate certificate from University of Kansas in 2022. Following a stint at a dog daycare facility, in 2022 Branham took a job at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis as an animal research technician.

From the GCCAN site:

Grace Branham is a post-operative detransitioner who received gender care from the ages of 15 to 21. S/he did not feel adequately supported by providers before, during, or when ending treatment and believes all consumers deserve high-quality care whether they are considering transition, in the process, or detransitioning. S/he hopes GCCAN’s work will help providers better understand the varied experiences of consumers so they may better serve sexuality- and gender-diverse communities.

References

Alumni spotlight: Grace Branham. IU Department of American Studies. https://americanstudies.indiana.edu/about/alumni-grace.html

Resources

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

Gender Care Consumer Advocacy Network (gccan.org) [archive]

  • Who We Are [archive]
  • gccan.org/who-we-are

S. Ding Lab (sdinglab.wustl.edu)

Sinéad Watson is an ex-transgender activist. Watson gets money and attention by making it harder for others to access trans healthcare. Watson is affiliated with anti-transgender organization Genspect.

Background

Watson was born in ~1991 and reports being repeatedly sexually assaulted as a teen.

made a gender transition as an adult. Watson socially transitioned at age 20 and began medical transition at age 24. Watson had top surgery at age 26. In October 2019, at age 28, Watson made additional changes in identity and expression.

Ex-trans activism

Rather than taking personal responsibility for medical decisions made as an adult, Watson blames “the trans lobby.” According to anti-trans activist Julie Bindel:

Watson self-referred to the Sandyford in 2014, having spent time in a psychiatric unit following a severe mental breakdown. “I burned my house down while trying to kill myself,” she says, “and made out to the doctor it was because I was really a trans man and needed to transition. That was bullshit.” Watson was suffering from depression, dependent on alcohol, and struggling to accept that she was a lesbian.

Bindel (2022)

References

Thomas, Kim (April 29, 2023). The troubling truth about ‘gender affirming’ mastectomies. The Spectator https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-troubling-truth-about-gender-affirming-mastectomies/

Bindel, Julie (September 15, 2022). Scotland’s Tavistock must fall. UnHerd https://unherd.com/2022/09/scotlands-tavistock-must-fall/

Watson, Sinead (August 2, 2023). The trans lobby pushed me to have a double mastectomy and I bitterly regret it. That’s why Costa’s advert is so dangerous. Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12366421/The-trans-lobby-pushed-double-masectomy-bitterly-regret-Thats-Costas-advert-dangerous-writes-SINEAD-WATSON-detransitioned-woman-double-mastectomy.html

Resources

Twitter (twitter.com)

Substack (substack.com)

Daisy Strongin is an American ex-transgender activist. Strongin gets money and attention by making it harder for other people to get trans healthcare.

Background

Daisy Marie Chadra was born in April 1998. Chadra came out as trans on May 29, 2015 at age 17, using the name Oliver “Ollie” Chadra. As an adult, Chadra obtained hormones at Planned Parenthood. At age 20, Chadra had top surgery.

After graduating York Community High School, Chadra earned an associate’s degree from College of DuPage in 2019. Chadra then attended North Central College.

Chadra made additional changes in identity and expression in October 2020, at age 22.

Jason Strongin and Daisy Strongin were married on December 12, 2021. They had a baby named Gabriel in 2022.

Daisy Strongin converted to Catholicism in 2023.

Ex-trans activism

Stongin appears in the 2023 anti-trans media piece DETRANS by PragerU and has also appeared on shows by anti-trans activists Benjamin Boyce and Preston Sprinkle.

References

Bolar, Kelsey (September 22, 2022). After ‘Top Surgery’ & Hormones, Female Detransitioner Decided She Wanted to Be A Mom. Independent Women’s Forum https://www.iwf.org/identity-crisis-daisy/

Media

Benjamin Boyce (December 6, 2020). DeTrans Stories: The Authenticity Quest | with Daisy Chadra. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EtS0146uQk

Benjamin Boyce (January 3, 2022). Authenticity Quest 2 | with the Ever Evolving Daisy Chadra. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAPMCmnTToA

Preston Sprinkle (July 13, 2021). From Trans to Detrans: Daisy Chadra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k2IXBvuoM4

Time Capsule Show (Jun 2, 2021). What is Detransitioning? | Being FTMTF | Daisy Chadra. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr2dNbLIKJ8 |

PragerU (October 25, 2023). DETRANS: The Dangers of Gender-Affirming Care. https://www.prageru.com/video/detrans

Independent Women’s Forum (September 22, 2022) Identity Crisis: After Top Surgery & Hormones, Female Detransitioner Decided She Wanted to Be A Mom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkj05vi94RY

Resources

Instagram (instagram.com)

Twitter (twitter.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

Calvin Lunt aka Cal Fox aka Calvin Fox is a British ex-transgender activist.

Background

Calvin Lunt was born in 1990 and has lived in the Fairfield area of Liverpool.

Fox was a contestant on MTV’s Beauty School Cop Outs in 2013.

Lunt performed in drag as Cal Fox in Liverpool clubs. Fox began a gender transition as an adult at age 24, documenting the steps on Facebook.

After about a year of hormones, Lunt made additional changes in identity and expression.

Ex-trans activism

In a podcast description, Lunt said:

“It has been 6 years now since I de-transitoned (returned back to my birth gender) and during these past 5 years I have spent my time learning more about myself, the reasons why I wanted to take the journey of completely changing my body and also exploring the reasons why so many young people are feeling the same.
I am not sitting here writing this saying that everyones story will be like mine but I will be honest and transparent and say I do believe there are many more people out there like me who maybe making choices based on false thoughts and feelings.”

Fox has become a favored source for anti-trans activists like Stella O’Malley and Sasha Ayad of Genspect.

References

Staff (June 2, 2015). Cal Fox discovers she’s transgender by accident. news.com.au https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/true-stories/cal-fox-discovers-shes-transgender-by-accident/news-story/65c4eea38c8e032981c627c1a43c49a2

Tweedy, Jo (June 1, 2015). Aspiring model realised she was transgender by ACCIDENT after dressing up in hot pants and blonde wig for night out. Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3105504/Aspiring-model-realised-transgender-ACCIDENT-dressing-hot-pants-blonde-wig-night-out.html

Collinson, Dawn (January 22, 2016). I’m a transgender woman but I still want to have my own child. Liverpool Echo https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/real-lives/im-transgender-woman-still-want-10775477

Collinson, Dawn (January 22, 2016). 5 awkward questions every transgender woman gets asked. Liverpool Echo https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/real-lives/5-awkward-questions-every-transgender-10776171

Hoyle, Antonia (June 1, 2023). ‘Social media encouraged me to be a trans woman… the truth is I was gay’: Man reveals how he was lambasted for de-transitioning by siren voices online. Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12150451/Man-reveals-lambasted-transitioning-siren-voices-online.html

Toureille, Claire (May 11, 2023). Man who lived as a trans woman for two years before detransitioning admits he was influenced by staying ‘current’ on social media. Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-12071685/Why-detransitioned-living-transgender-woman-two-years.html

(September 16, 2021). Three trans journeys: ‘I spent so long hiding.’ BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-58255156

Media

Stella O’Malley and Sasha Ayad (July 21, 2023). EP 123: Drag, Drinking and Taking Off the Mask with Calvin Lunt. Gender: A Wider Lens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5kz3cYMnOw

Will Reusch (July 26, 2023). Transgenderism, Homophobia and Self-Hatred with Calvin Lunt | Cylinder Radio #149 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvRPYVdRGfM

Resources

Calvin Lunt (calvinlunt.com) [archive]

Instagram (instagram.com)

Twitter (twitter.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

“Layla Jane” is the stage name of Kayla Lovdahl, an American ex-transgender activist. Lovdahl gets money and attention by making it more difficult for others to get trans healthcare.

Background

Kayla Michelle Lovdahl was born August 20, 2004. Lovdahl’s parents are Desiree M. Baggett Lovdahl (born July 11, 1984) and Kevin Allen Lovdahl (born September 30, 1976). Desiree got pregnant at age 19, and they married during the pregnancy on January 28, 2004.

Kayla Lovdahl grew up in the Lodi, California area, and has these problems according to a lawsuit filed by Lovdahl’s lawyers against Kaiser Permanente:

  • recurrent intense anxiety and panic
  • extreme mood fluctuations
  • self-harm
  • problems at school resulting in suspensions
  • oppositional behavior
  • defiant behavior
  • interpersonal peer relationship problems
  • anger
  • depression
  • crying spells
  • significant appetite changes
  • irritability
  • agitation
  • decreased energy
  • panic with hyperventilation
  • confusion
  • nausea
  • nightmares
  • explosive temper outbursts
  • poor concentration
  • gender dysphoria
  • symptoms “compatible with undiagnosed and untreated bipolar disorder”
  • “erroneous belief that she was transgender”
  • mood swings
  • sadness
  • lack of known triggers
  • would write sad notes at age 6-7
  • does not get much sleep
  • sleep has been irregular since being a baby
  • sees figures or things passing on the side when she doesn’t get enough sleep
  • strange reoccurring nightmares
  • symptoms of depression
  • mania
  • abuse from peers
  • obesity
  • poor social skills
  • few friends

2023 lawsuit

The same conservative activists representing Chloe Cole/Brockman are also representing Lovdahl.

Defendants:

  • Lisa Kristine Taylor, MD, pediatric endocrinologist
  • Winnie Mao Yiu Tong, MD, plastic surgeon
  • Susanne E. Watson, PhD, gender therapist
  • Mirna Escalante, MD, pediatric endocrinologist

The lawyers claim Lovdahl “now has deep physical and emotional wounds and severe regrets” and “has suffered physically, socially, neurologically, and psychologically.” They describe it as:

  • “mutilation to her body”
  • “fertility risks”
  • “health risks”
  • “lost opportunities for social and physical development along with her peers, and at key developmental milestones that can never be regained”

The complaint alleges in part:

When Kayla was 11, on or around April 26, 2016, Dr. Meridee Loomer saw Kayla and reviewed her file. Dr. Loomer noted that Kayla’s mother had been requesting mental health services beginning in 2011, when Kayla was around 6 years old, due to school issues and because Kayla had written on her papers about wanting to die. Dr. Loomer also noted that there had not been any consistent psychotherapy services for Kayla.  She informed Dr. Loomer privately at her April 26, 2016, visit that she was a boy and that she preferred to be named “Kyle.” 

Around September 14, 2016, Kayla had a visit with Dr. Doreen Samelson, who counseled them that since Kayla was past Tanner Stage II (the first stage of puberty), she was not a candidate for puberty blockers and was not ready for cross-sex hormones. Kayla received a contraceptive shortly thereafter to reduce her periods. 

The lawsuit cites treatment notes from Lovdahl’s doctor:

[Patient] is currently at maternal grandmother’s home, and Mom intends to pick him up to bring him directly into the Stk Cpy office to be seen today. When asked about concerns re: self/other harm, she states that he has made statements such as “what’s the point,” or “I should just drink bleach” recently but not today. 

“Patient presented to urgent services after his mother called Kaiser Psychiatry Triage yesterday and today reporting concerns over her son’s agitation/labile behavior, mood fluctuations, and potential for self-harm/harming others. Patient’s reported that her son has been having unprovoked anger outbursts where he’s been lashing out (i.e. cursing) at her mostly and others. 

Lovdahl then had counseling and the doctors got signed parental consent:

On July 11, 2017, Kayla had counseling regarding fertility. On September 22, 2017, after Kayla just turned age 13, Dr. Tong performed a double mastectomy on her. 

Kayla stopped injecting testosterone around the middle of 2021, while beginning a period of detransition. Thereafter, she stopped all contact and services with the Kaiser Proud Clinic where she had been receiving ongoing evaluation for her transition. 

In 2022 Kayla was diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder and Mood Disorder with depressive features. 

Ex-transgender activism

Lovdahl heard Chloe Cole’s lawyers filed a lawsuit against Kaiser and decided to get in on the action.

In March 2023, Lovdahl was among the handful of ex-trans activists at what was billed as their biggest event ever:

Lovdahl said:

“I was a mentally ill child, and I was able to consent to removing my breasts permanently. And I also heard more – or less… I heard more people telling me I would regret this tattoo than I would regret getting my breasts permanently removed at such a young age. So that is why I felt necessary to speak. Thank you for hearing me out.”

Lovdahl told Laura Ingraham in March:

“Overall, I really want to say that I don’t think I should have been allowed to change my sex before I could legally consent to have sex. Overall, I don’t think I’m better off for the experience, and I think that transition just completely added fuel to the fire that was my preexisting conditions.

I was given no information on rates of desistance or anything like that. Really, the surgery and the treatments were kind of pushed as the only way forward.

Between the age I was at and the headspace I was in, I don’t feel like I should have been any place to make those kinds of decisions. And I think proper information and all the side effects, it was really glossed over for my parents.”

Media

In June 2023, producers arranged a meeting with ex-trans activist Chloe Cole:

References

Buttons, Christina (June 15, 2023). Second Lawsuit Filed in US Against Medical Transition of Minors. Reality’s Last Stand https://www.realityslaststand.com/p/breaking-second-lawsuit-filed-in

Center for American Liberty (June 15, 2023). https://libertycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Complaint-06-15-23.pdf

https://www.recordnet.com/story/news/2004/09/04/vital-statistics/50695436007/

Chloe Cole (June 3, 2023). The Unseen Side of Early Transition, Mastectomy at 13 Years Old | Layla Jane Fights Back! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZWslwe3W1c

Resources

Twitter (twitter.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

Luka Hein is an American ex-transgender activist. Hein gets money and attention by making it more difficult for others to get trans healthcare.

Background

Luka “Bunny” Hein was born January 29, 2002. Hein is a Minnesota native and grew up in Nebraska.

Hein had a “rough home life” and claims, “I was a young teenager with a history of mental health issues who was groomed and preyed upon online” which reached “the point of authorities getting involved.”

Hein’s parents were “scared” but supportive of Hein’s requests for trans healthcare after reportedly being “bullied and emotionally blackmailed” by healthcare professionals.

Hein received care at University of Nebraska Medical Center. Hein’s chest “was the biggest issue” and led to binding. In 2018, Hein requested and received top surgery with parental consent, then started hormones.

Hein stopped testosterone at age 20. Hein moved to Wisconsin for school and began traveling the country testifying against trans healthcare.

2023 lawsuit

The same activist law firm representing the handful of American ex-trans activists filed suit in Nebraska in 2023.

According to the filing, Hein’s alleged disorders, diseases, “comorbidities,” problems, and maladies include:

  • parents divorced in 2015 (age 13)
  • struggled in school
  • could not concentrate
  • lost motivation
  • anxiety
  • panic attacks
  • lost appetite
  • easily angered
  • cutting
  • suicidal ideation
  • placed in a “partial care psychiatric program” (February 2017)
  • diagnosed depression (2017)
  • diagnosed generalized anxiety disorder (2017)
  • prescribed antipsychotic medication
  • groomed online by an older man
  • sent sexually explicit pictures to older man
  • police investigation after man made threats
  • traumatized
  • returned to a “partial care psychiatric program” (May 2017)
  • antipsychotic medication increased
  • prescribed SSRI

Coming out as trans (June 2017)

  • hated menses
  • uncomfortable with developing breasts
  • found transgender influencers online
  • ordered a chest binder
  • transferred from an all-girls school
  • moved from childhood home
  • changed name
  • began identifying as male
  • referred to UNMC Gender Clinic

UNMC Gender Clinic

  • met with Megan Smith-Sallans (July 2017)
  • met with Nahia Jean Amoura
  • diagnosed gender identity disorder (2017)
  • prescribed Xanax (August 2017)

More mental health care

  • stopped going to school
  • returned to a “partial care psychiatric program” (September 2017)
  • prescribed ADHD medication (September 2017)
  • overwhelmed by the custody arrangements
  • loneliness

UNMC Gender Clinic

  • referred for requested top surgery (October 2017)
  • Met with Perry Johnson, who noted “Typically, we would wait until the patient is a little bit older, but this would be influenced by the potential negative impact psychologically on the patient by prolonging the transition. […] I would require a letter from the patient’s therapist regarding the appropriateness of the operation and the appropriateness of the timing of the procedure.”
  • preoperative evaluation (July 3, 2018)
  • top surgery with Perry, assisted by Stephen Barrientos (July 26, 2018, age 16)
  • prescribed testosterone by Amoura (November 2018, age 16)
  • parents did not consent to hysterectomy
  • legal adulthood (January 29, 2020)
  • quit taking testosterone (late 2022, age 20)
  • informed Amoura of change in gender identity (January 10, 2023, age 20)

The lawsuit cites 2019 publications by anti-trans activists Paul Hruz and James Cantor.

References

Astor, Maggie (May 16, 2023) How a Few Stories of Regret Fuel the Push to Restrict Gender Transition Care. New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/16/us/politics/transgender-care-detransitioners.html

Siegel, Marc (December 19, 2022). Detransitioning becomes growing choice among young people after gender-affirming surgery. Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/health/detransitioning-becomes-growing-choice-young-people-gender-affirming-surgery

Nebraska Health and Human Services Committee (February 8, 2023). https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/Transcripts/Health/2023-02-08.pdf

Resources

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“Michelle Alleva” is the stage name of Michelle Zacchigna, a Canadian ex-transgender activist. Zacchigna gets money and attention by making it more difficult for others to get trans healthcare.

Zacchigna has used a number of aliases and handles:

  • “Scarlett P”
  • “Michelle Alleva”
  • somenuanceplease
  • sumenuancepls

Zacchigna transitioned as an adult and made additional identity and expression changes ten years later.

Background

Zacchigna was born in 1988. Zacchigna reports being bullied in school, especially from ages 8 to 13. After a close adolescent friendship ended, Zacchigna experienced even more social isolation. Zacchigna alleges having the following problems as a teen:

  • developmental trauma
  • dissociation
  • low self-esteem
  • self-harm
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • 2008 suicide attempt
  • dated older people “who didn’t seem to have my best interests at heart”

At age 20, Zacchigna identified as asexual:

Although I had never had gender dysphoria before, the more I thought about gender and how I wanted to present myself, the more self-aware I became about my body, and the more I wanted to change it. I thought about my past and became convinced that I had been bullied because I was trans and just didn’t know it.

In spring 2010, at age 21, Zacchigna went to the Gender Journeys support group at Toronto’s Sherbourne Health. Two years later, in 2012, Zacchigna saved up and then paid out of pocket for elective top surgery in Florida.

Because transition doesn’t make you a new person or change who you are, Zacchigna felt better for a while, but then reported problems started again:

  • social anxiety
  • still difficult to make friends
  • depression
  • gender dysphoria
  • couldn’t cry anymore “because of the hormones”
  • uncontrolled acne
  • poor self-care
  • gained about 70-80 pounds
  • fired for “inconsistent” work output
  • irregular sleep schedule
  • stopped caring about appearance
  • became low income
  • moved back in with family
  • failed out of college
  • autism spectrum disorder
  • ADHD
  • post-traumatic stress symptoms
  • major depressive disorder
  • medical trauma
  • low voice
  • male-pattern balding
  • facial hair
  • an enlarged clitoris
  • a flat chest
  • the inability to ever become pregnant
  • “among other things”

Following a 2017 evaluation that added to Zacchigna’s long list of problems, in 2018 Zacchigna had a “medically unnecessary” partial hysterectomy because “it was covered by provincial insurance, and I liked the idea of not having any more periods or pap exams.”

Zacchigna is upset and angry “that I wasn’t screened for the diagnoses I later received before I was prescribed hormones.” Zacchinga was screened prior to the hysterectomy but still blames others for that decision made at age 30.

Anti-transgender activism

Now based in Orillia, Ontario, Zacchigna’s income is now supplemented by making it harder for other adults to get trans healthcare:

“I have spent the last 18 months involved in health care advocacy related to this topic. I’ve presented at webinars, spoken at universities, been featured in news articles, appeared on Podcasts, and written blogs semi-regularly sharing my experiences and my thoughts about how this could have happened.”

In 2022 Zacchigna announced a planned lawsuit:

“I’ve been holding this card close to my chest for a while, and I’m ready to show it. In November 2022, I commenced legal action against the Canadian healthcare providers that facilitated my medical transition in Ontario,”

Zacchigna is now a source for a number of anti-trans activists and outlets, including Michael Shellenberger, the National Post, and Western Standard. Zacchigna is also active in the anti-trans “parental rights” movement, appearing in Lighthouse and the 2023 film No Way Back.

References

Oldcorn, Christopher (February 23, 2023). Ontario woman sues healthcare professionals over irreversible gender transition. Western Standard https://www.westernstandard.news/news/ontario-woman-sues-healthcare-professionals-over-irreversible-gender-transition/article_28765010-b3a4-11ed-9dca-7f4bb5988028.html

Murphy, Madeline (November 2, 2022) Michelle Alleva Shares Her Story of Detransitioning. Irish Rover https://irishrover.net/2022/11/michelle-alleva-shares-her-story-of-detransitioning/

GD Alliance (June 30, 2021). Meet Scarlett P. Gender Dysphoria Alliance https://www.genderdysphoriaalliance.com/post/meet-scarlett-p

Humphrey, Adrian (February 22, 2023). Ontario detransitioner who had breasts and womb removed sues doctors. National Post https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/michelle-zacchigna-ontario-detransitioner-sues-doctors

Alleva, Michelle (May 2022). “Removing my completely healthy uterus is my greatest regret.” Michelle Alleva’s Story: Detransition. Lighthouse https://www.lighthouseforum.ca/stories/michellealleva

Shellenberger, Michael (March 22, 2023). Why This Detransitioner Is Suing Her Health Care Providers. Public https://public.substack.com/p/why-this-detransitioner-is-suing

Resources

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GiveSendGo (givesendgo.com)

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