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UnHerd is a British group blog that publishes consistently anti-transgender content.

Background

UnHerd was founded in 2017 by conservative British political activist Tim Montgomerie with funding from Paul Marshall. Montgomerie had previously founded ConservativeHome. In 2018 anti-trans activist Sally Chatterton took over editing from Montgomerie, leading to significantly increased anti-trans coverage.

They are known for publishing “the kind of people who are generally ‘unheard’ because people edge away from them at parties.”

The only exception is balanced writing on religion and trans issues, including work by Christopher Rhodes and Alexander Faludy.

Originally available without a paywall, they have since added one. In 2023, they set up UnHerd Club, a gathering place for contributors and their orbiters.

Key people

Contributors

2024 Dissident Dialogues event

UnHerd partnered with Ground News, FIRE, and ThirdRail to hold an event in New York City called “Dissident Dialogues.” It was produced by talent agency This Is 42, which handled logistics.

Panels included anti-trans activists speaking on “What is the future of feminism?” and “The end of ‘gender medicine.'”

Speakers included:

  • Alex Berenson
  • Uri Berliner
  • Stephen Blackwood
  • Africa Brooke
  • Jewher Ilham
  • Tom Nash
  • John Vervaeke
  • Thomas Chatterton Williams

Chris Williamson and Nathan Robinson were scheduled but apparently removed.

A number of anti-trans activists were in attendance, including Christina Buttons, Cathy Young, Carrie Mendoza, Colin Wright, Benjamin Ryan, and Meghan Daum.

Other visited websites

Readers of UnHerd also like other anti-trans outlets:

References

Jeffries, Stuart (November 11, 2023). Far from the Madding Hive Mind: Inside the UnHerd Club, London’s liveliest—and most controversial—new literary salon. Air Mail https://airmail.news/issues/2023-11-11/far-from-the-madding-hive-mind

Mayhew, Freddy (September, 25 2018). Former Times columnist Tim Montgomerie leaves Unherd news website he founded last year. Press Gazette https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/former-times-columnist-tim-montgomerie-leaves-unherd-news-website-he-founded-last-year

Childs, Simon (July 25, 2017). The UnHerd and the Whining of the Perfectly-Well-Represented. Vice https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/a3d95p/the-unherd-and-the-whining-of-the-perfectly-well-represented

Resources

Allsides (allsides.com)

  • UnHerd
  • allsides.com/news-source/unherd-media-bias

UnHerd (unherd.com)

Dissident Dialogues (dissidentdialogues.org)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Twitter (twitter.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

Katie Herzog is an American podcaster best known for gender critical views and anti-transgender activism. Herzog co-hosts the anti-trans “drama” podcast Blocked and Reported with Jesse Singal. Herzog’s work includes

  • promoting disease models:
  • promoting the “ex-trans” movement:
  • never correcting or updating reporting on former ex-trans activist Ky Schevers
  • sex segregationism regarding sports, incarceration, and other remaining sex-segregated institutions
  • criticizing value-neutral and gender-neutral language like pronouns and inclusive medical terminology
    • claiming that medical schools are “denying biological sex”
  • promoting separatist and binary ideas of sex and sexuality
  • criticizing nuanced and nonbinary ideas of sex and sexuality
  • promoting the “lesbian erasure” conspiracy theory

Note: for the trans-supportive artist born in 1979, see Katie Herzog and transgender people.

Background

Catherine Ronan “Katie” Herzog was born on May 18, 1983 in Asheville, North Carolina. Herzog’s parents are both emeritus professors who taught at Western Carolina University: Harold Albert “Hal” Herzog served as a psychology professor, and Mary Jean Ronan Herzog served as an education professor. Katie Herzog graduated from the University of North Carolina at Asheville with a bachelor’s degree in English literature. Herzog has siblings.

Herzog has published writing in numerous outlets, listed below. Herzog identifies as lesbian and lives in Washington state and North Carolina with spouse Janna Krein, a nurse.

Views on transgender people

Herzog worked for Dan Savage as a freelancer for The Stranger, later serving as a staff writer from 2017 to 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Herzog was furloughed and was no longer employed there as of 2020.

In 2017, Herzog wrote “The Detransitioners,” a piece critics considered a biased and flawed article supporting the ex-trans movement. The piece mentioned several people:

  • Brynn Tannehill, a trans journalist whose criticism of the ex-trans movement appears to have motivated Herzog’s piece
  • Marlo Mack, How to Be a Girl podcaster and supportive parent of a gender diverse child
  • John Otto, a happily transitioned trans man

Supporting Herzog’s views were several activists promoting the ex-trans movement:

  • James Cantor, a fellow gender critical troll in Toronto and promoter of many disease models of gender identity and expression
  • “Jackie” aka “Jackal,” a Seattle area resident who was 25 in 2017 and moderated detransinfo.tumblr.com
  • “Jane,” a Southern California resident who was 53 in 2017 and who joined the ex-trans movement after discovering radfem forums online
  • “Ryan,” who was 43 in 2017 and who underwent medical transition steps but was not socially transitioned at the time
  • “Cass,” who later came out as ex-trans whistleblower Ky Schevers

Schevers was deeply involved in the “gender critical” movement connected to trans-exclusionary radical feminism (TERF):

While hanging out among ourselves, I and other younger members of this scene would jokingly refer to ourselves and each other as “TERFs”, reclaiming what we viewed as a slur. Many of us got a kick out of having a secret life in a subculture outsiders (correctly) viewed as a hate group. We thought such people were ridiculous and misogynistic for seeing us as hateful and we frequently mocked them, acting as if they were ignorant, misled and/or overly sensitive. We would gather at a lesbian-owned coffee shop and complain about how trans activists were a threat to lesbian culture, talk about dangerous and disgusting “autogynephiles” trying to infiltrate “female-only” spaces, and the social forces supposedly pushing lesbians to “dis-identify from femaleness” and identify as trans. 

Schevers 2021

Herzog never updated the original piece or covered the subsequent developments. No one has ever independently confirmed Herzog’s claims about “Jackie,” “Jane,” or “Ryan,” and the only one independently confirmed has come out against Herzog’s article and its thesis. This is probably the prime example that Herzog is not an objective source for information on trans issues.

In response, some critics burned copies of The Stranger and distributed stickers that said “Katie Herzog (writer at the stranger) Is A Transphobe.” Herzog claims to have been ostracized by some friends. The New York Times and The New Republic described the reaction to “The Detransitioners” as an example of “cancel culture.”

In 2024, The Stranger allowed Schevers to set the record straight on Herzog’s coverage, but none of Herzog’s other sources have been independently verified.

After leaving The Stranger

Since leaving The Stranger, Herzog has become more outspoken on anti-transgender topics. Herzog has spoken frequently about the alleged cultural shift away from “lesbian” as an identity, promoted the disputed diagnosis “rapid onset gender dysphoria,” and suggested that the increase in trans-identified people is part of a “social contagion.” Herzog has also gotten money and attention for claiming that medical schools are “denying biological sex” by presenting more inclusive and value-neutral scientific terminology. Herzog’s posts on the topic via intellectual dark web promoter Bari Weiss were tagged as unreliable self-published sources by the r/medicine forum on reddit, causing the usual suspects to claim they were being censored.

In 2020, Herzog founded Permabanned Media LLC and began the podcast Blocked and Reported with co-host Jesse Singal, also a prominent figure in anti-transgender extremism. That year, Herzog co-signed “A Letter on Justice and Open Debate” for Harper’s. That letter was debated for being signed by a disproportionate number of anti-transgender extremists.

As with most people who claim to be “canceled,” Herzog has seen an enormous increase in media appearances on conservative and anti-transgender shows and platforms since 2017. They include Bill Maher, Andrew Sullivan, Tim Dillon, Bret Weinstein, Megyn Kelly, Heather Heying, Glenn Greenwald, Dan Savage, David Fuller, Alexander Beiner, Coleman Hughes, Meghan Murphy, Matt Taibbi, Kat Rosenfield, Michael Tracey, Brendan O’Neill, Phoebe Maltz Bovy, Andrew Doyle, Aryeh Cohen-Wade, Andrew Gold, Matt Lewis, Thaddeus Russell, Benjamin Boyce, Bridget Phetasy, Scott Barry Kaufman, Helen Lewis, Bari Weiss, Mick Hume, Ben Domenech, Aaron Kimberly, Aaron Terrell, Jamie Kirchick, and Lou Perez.

References

Schevers, Ky (June 24, 2024). The Reality Behind the Story I Told The Stranger. The Stranger https://www.thestranger.com/queer-issue-2024/2024/06/05/79545098/the-reality-behind-the-story-i-told-the-stranger

Schevers, Ky (March 25, 2021). The Reality Behind the Story I Told: What My Life was Like When I was Interviewed for the Stranger. Medium https://kyschevers.medium.com/the-reality-behind-the-story-i-told-what-my-life-was-like-when-i-was-interviewed-for-the-stranger-2508d595689d

Doyle, Jude Ellison Sady (March 24, 2021). What’s So Scary About Detransitioning? GEN. https://gen.medium.com/whats-so-scary-about-detransitioning-a8340daf3132

Urquhart, Evan (February 1, 2021). An “Ex-Detransitioner” Disavows the Anti-Trans Movement She Helped Spark. Slate. https://slate.com/human-interest/2021/02/detransition-movement-star-ex-gay-explained.html

Grant, Melissa Gira (November 6, 2019). Fixating on “Cancel Culture” in an Age of Transphobia. The New Republic. https://newrepublic.com/article/155606/fxating-cancel-culture-age-transphobia

McDermott, John (November 2, 2019). Those People We Tried to Cancel? They’re All Hanging Out Together. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/02/style/what-is-cancel-culture.html

Resources

Katie Herzog (katieherzog.info) [no SSL – archive]

Drink Your Way Sober (drinkyourwaysober.com)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

Muck Rack (muckrack.com)

X/Twitter (x.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

Substack (moosenuggets.substack.com)

  • Chapter One: “And then I met Janna, the woman who would become my wife, and not only did I change my mind about dog fanatics, I’m ashamed to say I even became one myself.”

The Stranger (thestranger.com)

Medium / Arc Digital (medium.com / arcdigital.media)

Portland Mercury (portlandmercury.com)

The Atlantic (theatlantic.com)

Salon (salon.com)

Mother Jones (motherjones.com)

Buzzfeed News (buzzfeednews.com)

The Guardian (theguardian.com)

Slate (slate.com)

Grist (grist.org)

Reason (reason.com)

Selected media appearances

Podcasts/audio

Singal, Jesse (Apr 19, 2019) Singal-Minded, The Interview: Katie Herzog. Substack / Singal-Minded. https://jessesingal.substack.com/p/singal-minded-the-interview-katie

Rantz, Jason (June 11, 2020). Katie Herzog (Blocked and Reported host) on “cancel culture” in Seattle and at the New York Times. My Northwest. https://mynorthwest.com/1935924/cancel-culture-seattle-herzog/?

Kaufman, Scott Barry (July 9, 2020). Uncancellable with Katie Herzog and Jesse Singal. The Psychology Podcast. https://scottbarrykaufman.com/podcast/uncancellable-with-katie-herzog-and-jesse-singal/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4yALKu3RrE

Russell, Thaddeus (January 11, 2019). Episode 74: Katie Herzog. YouTube / Unregistered Podcast. http://www.thaddeusrussell.com/podcast/74

Weinstein, Bret (November 14, 2019). Katie Herzog. YouTube / DarkHorse Podcast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjELREOrtDc

Lewis, Matt K. (November 9, 2020). Katie Herzog on What the Media and the Left Get Wrong YouTube / Matt Lewis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt1i_8k2g5E

Phetasy, Bridget (September 3, 2020). Katie Herzog Never Expected the Concept of “Theybies” to Spread the Way It Haâ€Șs‬ Walk-Ins Welcome. https://ricochet.com/podcast/walk-ins-welcome-bridget-phetasy/katie-herzog-never-expected-the-concept-of-theybies-to-spread-the-way-it-has/

Video

Murphy, Meghan (February 7, 2019). Taking the white pill: Katie Herzog refuses to be put into a box. YouTube / Meghan Murphy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR5DmKCjgVg

Boyce, Benjamin A. (April 1, 2020). Quarantine Conversations: Katie Herzog. YouTube / Benjamin A Boyce. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfLoXgrfiio

Taibbi, Matt and Halper, Katie (March 22, 2021). Substack Cancel Wars With Jesse Singal & Katie Herzog. YouTube / Useful Idiots. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB6BIhnQJuo

Dillon, Tim (June 13, 2020). #204 – Katie Herzog | The Tim Dillon Show YouTube / The Tim Dillon Show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75N9DV8kGPg

Greenwald, Glenn (March 18, 2021). The Role of Claimed LGBT Identity in Political Discourse. YouTube / System Update. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt8BZzLFpzA

Rosenfeld, Kat and Bovy, Phoebe Maltz (March 12, 2020). Critiquing “Ugh-Men” Feminism. YouTube / Feminine Chaos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4593zo615iE

Tracey, Michael (June 11, 2020). When did all left-wing activists become trans? YouTube / M. Tracey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGo4glpvGYc

Doyle, Andrew (October 22, 2020). America is exhausted, with Jesse Singal and Katie Herzog YouTube / Spiked [Culture Wars]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxVd-UyaSQg

Perez, Lou (February 7, 2020). Live in Portland with Bret Weinstein, Heather Heying, and Katie Herzog. YouTube / We the Internet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1sqivHa3sA

Fuller, David and Beiner, Alexander (June 19, 2020). The Death of Journalism? YouTube / Rebel Wisdom / Sensemaking Series. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9AVo3jXjN8

Cohen-Wade, Aryeh (July 29, 2018). Jordan Peterson and Detransitioning. YouTube / Culturally Determined / Meaningoflife.tv. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IRAKuB1JI8

PhilosophyInsights (June 19, 2020). The Moral Panic and the Corruption of Journalism. YouTube / PhilosophyInsights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjT9NVOQW10

This article originally misstated Herzog’s birthday. In 2022 the illustration was updated in response to feedback.

reddit is a social network of communities focused on different topics (subreddits). It was a service of choice for anti-trans communities until the site implemented strict rules about posting anti-trans content. It is also an important supportive resource for trans and gender diverse people.

Supportive subreddits

A wide range of subreddits offer information and support for sex and gender minorities.

Mainly positive/affirming groups include:

I have created maps of subreddits for a number of underserved communities. These include nonnbinary people as well as the eunuch, “sissy,” “tomboy,” and salmacian communities, among others.

Toxic subreddits

Before the platform took decisive action, reddit was the social media service of choice for the “gender critical” anti-transgender movement.

Many subreddits contained anti-trans content but were not dedicated solely to transphobic hate. In some cases, like r/moderatepolitics, the moderators have banned discussions of “Gender Identity and the Transgender Experience.”

The following subreddits have had significant amounts of anti-transgender content:

Toxic trans subreddits

Some subreddits are popular among toxic trans and gender diverse people, including

  • r/transgendercirclejerk
  • r/4tran
  • r/ttttrans
  • r/GenderCynical
  • r/honesttransgender
  • r/transmedical
  • r/truscum

Other banned anti-trans subreddits

These were specifically targeting trans and gender diverse people. Many were recreated at voat, SaidIt, Ovarit, 4W, Spinster.xyz, Raddle, Throat, Lemmy, etc.

Magdalen Berns was a British anti-transgender activist.

Background

Berns was born May 8, 1983 in London to parents who were involved in communist activism. They split up soon after Berns was born.

Berns attended Hampstead School in Camden, London. After working as a sound engineer and computer programmer as a young adult, Berns returned to college, making early forays into anti-drag and anti-trans activism. Berns earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Edinburgh in 2016.

Berns died from brain cancer on September 13, 2019 at age 36 in Edinburgh.

Anti-transgender activism

Berns was a sex segregationist and a trans-exclusionary lesbian. Berns was opposed to the idea that a lesbian can date a trans woman who had not had bottom surgery, saying “There is no such thing as a lesbian with a penis.” Berns also opposed gender self-identification and worked to change Scotland’s laws around it. Berns also opposed value neutral terms like sex assigned at birth:

“You don’t get ‘assigned’ reproductive organs … males are defined by their biological sex organs. Likewise, homosexuals are people who are attracted to the same biological sex.”

Berns compared trans women to “blackface actors.” Berns often said, “Trans women are men” and described trans activism as a “men’s rights movement.”

Berns attacked a number of trans inclusive organizations, including LGBT charity Stonewall.

Berns co-founded the non-profit organization For Women Scotland in 2018. Their goal was to advocate for sex-based rights, maintaining the remaining sex-segregated institutions like bathrooms, sports, children’s organizations, and prisons.

In 2019, British author and anti-trans activist J.K. Rowling helped raise Berns’ profile. After Berns died, Rowling revealed that they had spoken directly. Rowling called Berns “an immensely brave young feminist and lesbian” and “a great believer in the importance of biological sex [who] didn’t believe lesbians should be called bigots for not dating trans women with penises.”

Media

Caelan Conrad and Amanda Hootman (30 July 2024). Magdalen Berns: Your Favorite TERF’s Favorite TERF. Respect The Dead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bc9jkJU96Q

Kathleen Stock and Julie Bindel (2 February 2024). Episode 12 FREE: being a young gender-critical feminist. The Lesbian Project Podcast https://www.thelesbianprojectpod.com/p/episode-12-free-being-a-young-gender

“E” and “M” (1 March 2021). Ep12: A Magdalen Berns Night Supper- Transphobia in Scotland. Blood and Terf Podcast

Graham Linehan (13 September 2020). Remembering Magdalen with Elizabeth Berns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrrsxbwyvdU

Nicole Jones, Kathleen Stock, Julie Bindel (10 September 2020). Gender Ideology. The State Media https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zkc4P0rpI4

(25 September 2020). 9. Well, what a week – Dedicated to Magdalen Berns The Speak Up For Women Podcast

Julia Long (21 September 2016) Thinking Differently – 09 Magdalen Berns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWSjAFYiF9U

References

Carr, Stewart (21 January 2023). The lesbian who launched 1,000 feminists: Story of same sex rights campaigner whose work inspired JK Rowling’s activism. Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11568569/Tragic-story-feminist-campaigner-work-inspired-JK-Rowlings-activism.html

McGowan, Michael (14 April 2022). NSW Liberal candidate likens anti-trans activism to opposing the Holocaust. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/14/nsw-liberal-candidate-likens-anti-trans-activism-to-opposing-the-holocaust

Bindel, Julie (2021). Feminism for Women: The Real Route to Liberation. Hachette UK. p. 177. ISBN 978-1-4721-3260-4. https://books.google.com/books?id=py6cDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT177

Mos-Shogbamimu, Shola (2021). This is Why I Resist: Don’t Define My Black Identity. Headline Publishing Group. pp. 140–141. ISBN 978-1-4722-8079-4.

Joaquina (2 January 2021). Transphobia and Antisemitism. The Social Review https://www.thesocialreview.co.uk/2021/01/02/transphobia-and-antisemitism/

Andrews, Penny (20 November 2020). Choose your fighter: Loyalty and fandom in the free speech culture wars. Manchester University Press. p. 259. ISBN 978-1-5261-5255-8 â€“

Hyland, Jennifer (6 September 2020). Women’s rights campaigners ‘living in fear of trans attack’ after vile abuse directed at group. Daily Record https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/womens-rights-campaigners-living-fear-22635235

Staff report (3 July 2020). Permanently suspended: How Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has become the ‘most hated man’ on the internet. Irish Independent. https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/permanently-suspended-how-father-ted-co-creator-graham-linehan-has-become-the-most-hated-man-on-the-internet-39336272.html

Fordy, Tom (29 June 2020). How did Graham Linehan, the creator of Father Ted, become the most hated man on the internet? The Daily Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/did-father-ted-creator-graham-linehan-become-hated-man-internet/

Rowling, J.K. (10 June 2020). J.K. Rowling writes about her reasons for speaking out on sex and gender issues. JKRowling.com https://www.jkrowling.com/opinions/j-k-rowling-writes-about-her-reasons-for-speaking-out-on-sex-and-gender-issues/

Jack, Malvern (11 June 2020). JK Rowling details ‘scars of abuse’ in heartfelt riposte to activists. The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jk-rowling-details-scars-of-abuse-in-heartfelt-riposte-to-activists-lcrp96q6j

Yasharoff, Hannah (10 June 2020). J.K. Rowling reveals she’s a sexual assault survivor; Emma Watson reacts to trans comments. USA Today. [archive] https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/06/07/j-k-rowling-harry-potter-author-slammed-transphobic-comments/3169833001/

Licea, Melkorka (10 June 2020). J.K. Rowling defends controversial trans comments in lengthy essay. New York Post https://nypost.com/2020/06/10/j-k-rowling-defends-her-controversial-trans-comments-in-lengthy-essay/amp/

Ahsan, Sadaf (19 December 2019). J.K. Rowling sparks major backlash by supporting a researcher fired for transphobic tweets. The Guardian (Charlottetown). P.E.I. Canada. [archived] https://www.saltwire.com/prince-edward-island/lifestyles/entertainment/jk-rowling-sparks-major-backlash-by-supporting-a-researcher-fired-for-transphobic-tweets-390185/

Robertson, Julia Diana (13 October 2019). Mourning the loss of lesbian feminist leader Magdalen Berns. The Velvet Chronicle https://thevelvetchronicle.com/mourning-loss-of-lesbian-feminist-magdalen-berns/

McCarty, Meghan (13 September 2019). What’s Current: Lesbian feminist shero Magdalen Berns passes away at 36. Feminist Current https://www.feministcurrent.com/2019/09/13/whats-current-lesbian-feminist-shero-magdalen-berns-passes-away-at-36/

Linehan, Graham (13 September 2019). Magdalen Berns 1983–2019. Women Are Important. https://glinner.co.uk/stunning-and-brave-magdalen-berns-1983-2019/

Kearns, Madeleine (4 September 2019). Magdalen Berns, a ‘shero’ among women. National Review. https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/magdalen-berns-a-shero-among-women/

Flaherty, Colleen (3 September 2019). College supports trans scholar under fire. Inside Higher Ed https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2019/09/03/college-supports-trans-scholar-under-fire

Davidson, Gina (1 September 2019). Mixed sex loos in Scottish schools break regulations, warn campaigners. The Scotsman. [archive] https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/mixed-sex-loos-in-scottish-schools-break-regulations-warn-campaigners-1-4995254

Staff report (1 September 2019). Transgender professor defends celebrating deaths of those deemed ‘transphobic’. The College Fix. [archive] https://www.thecollegefix.com/transgender-professor-defends-celebrating-the-death-of-those-deemed-transphobic/

Schiferl, Jenna (29 August 2019). The tweet heard ’round the world: Charleston professor sparks global Twitter debate. The Post and Courier https://www.postandcourier.com/news/the-tweet-heard-round-the-world-charleston-professor-sparks-global/article_4a462cda-c9c7-11e9-8134-d32dc721835d.html

Rhodes, Mandy (26 August 2019). The Scottish Government’s clumsy attempts to reform the Gender Recognition Act have inadvertently opened a hornet’s nest. Holyrood https://www.holyrood.com/editors-column/view,the-scottish-governments-clumsy-attempts-to-reform-the-gender-recognition-a_10717.htm

Smith-Engelhardt, Joe (28 June 2019). J.K. Rowling faces backlash for allegedly displaying transphobic behaviour. Alternative Press https://www.altpress.com/news/j-k-rowling-transphobic-behavior/

Maurice, Emma (25 June 2019). JK Rowling under fire for following a ‘proud transphobe’ on Twitter. PinkNews https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/06/25/jk-rowling-under-fire-following-transphobe-twitter/

Aberle, Connor (15 November 2018). YouTube loves to hate me. The Wesleyan Argus. http://wesleyanargus.com/2018/11/15/youtube-loves-to-hate-me/

Mitchell, Hilary (5 October 2018). “Hateful” anti-trans stickers have been spotted in toilets and in public spaces around Edinburgh. Edinburgh Live [archive] https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/hateful-anti-trans-stickers-been-15242299

Berns, Magdalen; et al. (15 April 2018). Allowing boys to be Guides is wrong. The Times. [archive] https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/allowing-boys-to-be-guides-is-wrong-v0dngnvjp

Murphy, Meghan (27 September 2016). ‘We need to be braver’ — women challenge ‘gender identity’ and the silencing of feminist discourse. Feminist Current. https://www.feministcurrent.com/2016/09/27/need-braver-feminists-challenge-silencing/

Singleton, Mary Lou (25 July 2016). Thinking Differently conference. Women’s Liberation Front http://womensliberationfront.org/thinking-differently-conference/

Blunden, Mark (15 July 2016). ‘Medical threat’ to transgender children on puberty-blocking drugs. Evening Standard. [archive] https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/medical-threat-to-transgender-children-on-pubertyblocking-drugs-a3296471.html

Berns, Magdalen (9 January 2016). Let them call me whorephobic. Butterflies and Wheels. [archive] http://www.butterfliesandwheels.org/2016/guest-post-let-them-call-me-whorephobic/

Benson, Ophelia (12 October 2015). How to know what is “whorephobic”. Butterflies and Wheels. [archive] http://www.butterfliesandwheels.org/2015/how-to-know-what-is-whorephobic/

Resources

For Women Scotland (forwomen.scot)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

YouTube (youtube.com)

X/Twitter] (x.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

Patreon (patreon.com)

  • patreon.com/Magdalen [removed]

Paypal (paypal.com)

Minds (minds.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

.

Sarah Mittermaier aka “Eliza Mondegreen” and “elizaoltramare” is an American-Canadian anti-transgender activist. Mittermaier is affiliated with numerous anti-trans organizations and figures:

Mittermaier has a Substack titled gender:hacked and has appeared on numerous media platforms hosted by anti-trans activists, including Benjamin Boyce, Leslie Elliott Boyce, Meghan Daum, Wesley Yang, Louise Perry, Women’s Declaration International, and The Center for Bioethics Culture & Network.

Background

Sarah Beth Mittermaier was born in May 1987 to Paul Mittermaier, an Episcopal minister, and Beth (Wagel) Mittermaier, an artist. Both parents are from Ohio, but Sarah Mittemaier grew up in Wisconsin.

Mittermaier attended University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning a bachelor’s degree in 2009. Mittermaier was a copy editor at the Daily Cardinal and a contributor to the Badger Herald. Mittermaier worked at several organizations, including the Prevention Institute, before returning to school at McGill University in Montreal.

Mittermaier was a member of WPATH while residing in Washington, DC.

Anti-transgender activism

In 2021 Mittermaier and Kitty Robinson founded the “LGB erasure” conspiracy website Unspeakable for “finding a language for female experiences in the LGBTQ+ community.” It allowed people to post anonymous rants, mostly from anti-trans people who identify as lesbian.

Mittermaier earned a master’s degree from McGill University in 2024. Mittermaier’s thesis was on “detransition” in the context of reddit communities, especially r/detrans. Mittermaier’s advisors were Samuel VeissiĂšre and Cecile Rousseau. Mittermaier includes a disclosure about being involved with SEGM:

During my time as an M.Sc. student, I worked with the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine to help organize three conferences for researchers and clinicians working in the area of youth gender dysphoria. The first conference took place at Tampere University in Finland in June 2023, drawing researchers and clinicians from 17 countries with the objective of facilitating dialogue across the divide between affirming and exploratory approaches to youth gender distress. The second conference took place in New York City in October 2023. The third—Questioning Gender: Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Youth Gender Dysphoria—will be hosted by the Medical School of Athens in October 2024.

Mittermaier’s profile for the 2024 SEGM conference states:

Researcher and writer exploring the online communities where young people adopt new attitudes and beliefs about gender and set expectations and intentions for transition. Her MSc. thesis, Questions and doubts in online trans communities, will be available this autumn through McGill University. She writes gender:hacked on Substack.

The group blog and podcast Informed Dissent was created in December 2024 and includes contributors Ben Appel, Cori Cohn, Lisa Selin Davis, “Eliza Mondegreen,” and Jamie Reed.

References

Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (October 2024). Questioning Gender: Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Youth Gender Dysphoria. https://trans.so/files/SEGM24_AgendaPrint_9-16-24.pdf

Mittermaier, Sarah (October 26, 2018). PI’s Weekly Media Digest: New report on reproductive coercion in abusive relationships, and how Trump admin has reframed media coverage of immigrants and asylum-seekers. Prevention Institute https://www.preventioninstitute.org/blog/pis-weekly-media-digest-new-report-reproductive-coercion-abusive-relationships-and-how-trump

Selected anti-trans writing by Mittermaier

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (November 22, 2024). Democrats refuse to change course on trans The party’s unpopular position is losing voters. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/democrats-refuse-to-change-course-on-trans/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (October 23, 2024). Why are gender clinicians withholding research? UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/why-are-gender-clinicians-withholding-research/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (August 14, 2024). NYT columnist refuses to accept Cass Review findings Lydia Polgreen insists on the importance of youth gender transitions. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/nyt-columnist-refuses-to-accept-cass-review-findings/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (August 5, 2024). Boxing chief questions eligibility of Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting at Olympics Chris Roberts criticised the IOC for not acting on the information he provided. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/boxing-chief-questions-eligibility-of-imane-khelif-and-lin-yu-ting-at-olympics/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (July 9, 2024). The Guardian is ignoring the risks of testosterone on trans people The paper is more concerned about its implications for menopausal women. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/why-is-the-guardian-ignoring-the-risks-of-testosterone-on-trans-people/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (June 12, 2024). Gender dysphoria cases soar after pandemic A new study warns about a rising social contagion. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/gender-dysphoria-cases-soar-after-pandemic/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (May 28, 2024). The hidden long-term risks of youth gender transition New research raises concerns about testosterone use among trans patients. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/the-hidden-long-term-risks-of-youth-gender-transition/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (May 23, 2024). Youth gender transition bans split red and blue states South Carolina is the latest state to restrict the practice. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/youth-gender-transition-bans-split-red-and-blue-states/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (April 30, 2024).The grim truth about egg-freezing A new report details just how risky the practice is. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/the-grim-truth-about-egg-freezing-is-coming-out/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (April 17, 2024). ‘Polycule’ relationships are a bureaucratic nightmare When 20 people are in the one relationship, someone’s bound to be a loser. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/polycule-relationships-are-a-bureaucratic-nightmare/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (April 2, 2024). Women’s group blames patriarchy for trans sport exclusion: The National Organization for Women has embraced intersectionality. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/national-organization-for-women-blames-patriarchy-for-trans-exclusion-in-sport/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (March 27, 2024). Judith Butler faces difficult questions on book tour Even in liberal California, public opinion is turning on the theorist. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/judith-butler-faces-difficult-questions-on-book-tour/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (March 13, 2024). Andrea Long Chu’s gender advice is a danger to children The writer’s rationale for trans surgery is ill-informed. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/andrea-long-chus-gender-advice-is-a-danger-to-children/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (March 7, 2024). WPATH files fallout is just the beginning The public finally has a window into what goes on behind closed doors. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/the-wpath-files-fallout-is-just-the-beginning/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (February 26, 2024). ‘Instagram moms’ are facilitating paedophiles — report A New York Times article lays bare the disturbing rise of girl influencers. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/investigation-instagram-moms-are-facilitating-paedophiles/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (February 8, 2024). Major trans survey avoids mention of detransitioners A new report provides a skewed view of gender surgeries. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/major-trans-survey-avoids-mention-of-detransitioners/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (February 2, 2024). New York Times gets braver with gender coverage The paper is no longer shying away from difficult questions around transitioning. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/new-york-times-gets-braver-with-gender-coverage/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (January 25, 2024). Was Jon Stewart always this insufferable? The presenter’s late-night return is no cause for excitement. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/why-isnt-jon-stewart-funny-anymore/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (January 18, 2024). Trans activists have a new target: the Middle Ages A new paper explores the rich history of ‘transmisogyny’ during the Byzantine era. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/trans-activists-have-a-new-target-the-middle-ages/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (January 10, 2024). Activists are deceiving the public on gender reassignment surgery A misinformation war over trans issues is taking place in Ohio. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/activists-are-deceiving-the-public-on-gender-reassignment-surgery/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (January 3, 2024). 2024 could be the year America’s trans bubble bursts The public’s position on gender identity is hardening. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/2024-could-be-the-year-americas-trans-bubble-bursts/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (December 28, 2023). WHO quietly announces controversial gender guidance The organisation used the Christmas period to slip out the news. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/who-quietly-publishes-controversial-gender-guidance/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (December 17, 2023). Civil rights group condemns feminists as white supremacists The ‘Captain Report’ is an exercise in misinformation about the trans movement. UnHerd https://unherd.com/newsroom/southern-poverty-law-center-condemns-feminists-as-white-supremacists/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (December 14, 2023). The secret life of gender clinicians. UnHerd https://unherd.com/2023/12/the-secret-life-of-gender-clinicians/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (December 12, 2023). PEN America’s new president is no free speech champion: Jennifer Finney Boylan disowned a letter signed by J.K. Rowling. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/pen-americas-new-president-is-no-free-speech-champion/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (December 3, 2023). New York Times publishes bizarre case for youth gender transition: The paper’s latest op-ed is littered with half-truths and misdirections. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/new-york-times-publishes-bizarre-case-for-youth-gender-transition/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (November 28, 2023). Puberty blocker use on the rise in the UK: The NHS’s clampdown on the controversial treatment is failing. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/puberty-blocker-use-on-the-rise-in-the-uk/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (November 23, 2023). The American Academy of Pediatrics is doubling down: Evidence of medical harm among minors is still being ignored. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/the-american-academy-of-pediatrics-is-doubling-down/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (November 13, 2023). Netflix’s ‘Escaping Twin Flames’ is wrong about trans: A new show ignores the community’s own cultish streak. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/netflixs-escaping-twin-flames-is-wrong-about-trans/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (November 9, 2023). Disciplinary ordeal continues for nurse who backed J.K. Rowling: Canadian Amy Hamm is being investigated for her gender-critical beliefs. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/legal-ordeal-continues-for-nurse-who-backed-j-k-rowling/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (October 31, 2023). America’s trans surgeons could learn from European whistleblowers: A pioneer of ‘gender-affirming care’ has spoken out against the practice. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/americas-trans-surgeons-could-learn-from-european-whistleblowers/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (October 23, 2023). Detransitioner files lawsuit against ‘gender-affirming’ clinicians: Layton Ulery’s case has shone a light on highly experimental practices. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/detransitioner-files-lawsuit-against-gender-affirming-clinicians/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (October 16, 2023). New play features ‘interview’ with JK Rowling over her trans views: One playwright has resorted to putting words in the author’s mouth. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/trans-activist-to-interview-jk-rowling-in-new-play/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (October 4, 2023). US states hit the brakes on ‘gender-affirming care’: Nebraska is the latest to follow the Scandivanian model on trans treatment UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/us-states-hit-the-brakes-on-gender-affirming-care/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (September 25, 2023). Gavin Newsom is changing his tune on trans issues: Is the California Governor laying the groundwork for a presidential run?. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/gavin-newsom-is-changing-his-tune-on-trans-issues/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (September 21, 2023). In Canada, the gender wars are now a national issue: Thousands of Canadians protested against trans ideology this week. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/in-canada-the-gender-wars-are-now-a-national-issue/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (September 12, 2023). The pullback from youth gender transition has begun: States are pressuring hospitals to stop prescribing puberty blockers. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/the-pushback-against-youth-gender-transition-has-begun/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (September 11, 2023). Trans Journalists Association rolls out ‘refreshed’ style guide: Reporters are now advised against referring to biological sex. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/trans-journalists-association-rolls-out-refreshed-style-guide/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (September 2, 2023). In defence of RĂłisĂ­n Murphy: The singer does not deserve to lose her career over gender-critical views. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/in-defence-of-roisin-murphy/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (August 28, 2023). The dark truth about gender surgeries: Medical complications are being reframed as opportunities. UnHerd /https://unherd.com/thepost/the-dark-truth-about-gender-surgeries/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (August 4, 2023). Medical groups are memory-holing their trans guidance: The American Academy of Pediatrics wants to review youth gender treatments. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/medical-groups-are-memory-holing-their-trans-guidance/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (July 11, 2023). Gender surgeon promotes bizarre range of ‘nonbinary surgeries’: Blair Peters’s field has strayed from the core tenets of medical care UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/gender-surgeon-promotes-bizarre-range-of-nonbinary-surgeries/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (June 29, 2023). GLAAD pushes Big Tech to censor trans ‘disinformation’: The organisation called for a clampdown on discussing gender-affirming care UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/glaad-pushes-big-tech-to-censor-trans-disinformation/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (June 12, 2023). Publisher doubles down on retracted gender paper: Springer Nature has once again bowed to trans activist pressure. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/publisher-doubles-down-on-retracted-gender-paper/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (June 1, 2023). Glamour magazine celebrates Pride with a pregnant man: Logan Brown shows that miracles do happen. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/glamour-magazine-celebrates-pride-with-a-pregnant-man/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (May 26, 2023). The New York Times is caving to trans activist pressure: The paper’s latest piece on gender issues is dangerously misguided. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/the-new-york-times-is-caving-to-trans-activist-pressure/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (May 18, 2023). What the New York Times gets wrong about detransitioning: The newspaper is painting a one-sided picture. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/what-the-new-york-times-doesnt-understand-about-destransitioning/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (March 29, 2023). The violent rhetoric of trans activists has to stop: The shooting in Nashville is a wake-up call. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/the-violent-rhetoric-of-trans-activists-has-to-stop/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (August 26, 2022). The American Academy of Pediatrics is denying reality: Frustrated doctors are beginning to go public. UnHerd https://unherd.com/thepost/the-american-academy-of-pediatrics-is-denying-reality/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (July 5, 2022). The dangers of gender-affirmative care. UnHerd https://unherd.com/2022/07/the-dangers-of-gender-affirmative-care/

“Mondegreen, Eliza” (June 14, 2022). Why should lesbians have sex with men? UnHerd https://unherd.com/2022/06/why-should-lesbians-have-sex-with-men/

Mittermaier, Sarah (10 Jun 2021). Written Comment: Title IX Public Hearing (don’t equate sex with gender identity) https://ocrcas.ed.gov/sites/default/files/storage/correspondence/202106-titleix-publichearing-comments/smittermaier.pdf

Somji, Alisha’ Mittermaier, Sarah (December 7, 2017). How we all together can build a future free from sexual harassment. San Francisco Chronicle https://web.archive.org/web/20171208115210/https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/How-we-all-together-can-build-a-future-from-12414346.php

Mittermaier, Sarah; Fields-Johnson, Dana (March 15, 2019). Civil suits will transform the way we understand the problem of opioids. The Hill https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/434095-civil-suits-will-transform-the-way-we-understand-the-problem-of-opioids/

Selected academic writing

Mittermaier, Sarah (August 2024). Questions and doubts in online trans communities. [master’s thesis] McGill University https://escholarship.mcgill.ca/concern/theses/m326m754q?locale=en

Rousseau C, Johnson-Lafleur J, Ngov C, Miconi D, Mittermaier S, Bonnel A, Savard C, VeissiĂšre S. (2023). Social and individual grievances and attraction to extremist ideologies in individuals with autism: Insights from a clinical sample. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders (Vol. 105, p. 102171) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2023.102171

Sims J, Baird R, Aboelata MJ, Mittermaier S (2022). Cultivating a Healthier Policy Landscape: The Building Healthy Communities Initiative. Health Promotion Practice (Vol. 24, Issue 2, pp. 300–309). https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399221114341

Rousseau C et al. (May 2022). Living together in socially polarized contexts: vulnerability and resilience in the university community. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/668953bc9928de19ab00ca30/t/668c485eae44874a0f854c51/1720469603062/Final_RapportUniversite_EN_v0.01.pdf

Media

Ben Appel, Cori Cohn, Lisa Selin Davis, “Eliza Mondegreen,” Jamie Reed (Apr 05, 2025). Episode 18: “Be Kind and Rewind.” Informed Dissent https://informeddissentpodcast.substack.com/p/episode-18-be-kind-and-rewind

Genspect (Feb 26, 2025). Gender as a Body-Modification Youth Sub(cult)ure – Eliza Mondegreen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqrdj4sVpd4

Benjamin Boyce (Nov 5, 2024). “The Right to Regret” and other Gender Insanity | with Jamie Reed & Eliza Mondegreen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3FnZAJ26z0

Benjamin Boyce (Jul 9, 2024). Lies, Darn Lies, and Journalism | with Eliza Mondegreen & Lisa Selin Davis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH8NGP24dhc

Benjamin Boyce (Mar 9, 2024). California Foster Care’s Gender Meat Grinder | with Laura Haynes & Eliza Mondegreen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejIERSUPl3E

Transparency (Feb 4, 2024). 78: The New York Times “Opinion” Piece & USPATH’s “Medical” Conference – with Eliza Mondegreen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz2xO8Ctc4w

Sandra RamĂ­rez (Feb 1, 2024). Eliza Mondegreen, USA/Canada, The secret life of gender clinicians #FQT #WDI. Women’s Declaration International https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrbxNvEc-bY

Sasha White (Jan 29, 2024). Why Young Women and Girls Struggle with Identity | Eliza Mondegreen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_djzA-x78M

Chloe Pacey and Keshia Tognazzini (Jan 22, 2024). Exploring Affirmative Care: Navigating Online Trans Communities with Eliza Mondegreen. The Road To Wisdom Podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APK-0Cw3DV0

Benjamin Boyce (Dec 14, 2023). Coming of Age in the Internet Era | with Eliza Mondegreen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YutbI1e63rs

Benjamin Boyce (Oct 25, 2023). Fixing/Spaying “Gender Medicine” | with Eliza Mondegreen & Jamie Reed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8hzatAUjAo

Meghan Daum (Oct 24, 2023). Down The Rabbit Hole: Gender and Online Communities with Eliozan Mondegreen and Sarah Haider. A Special Place in Hell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJew30KNxqk

Genspect (Oct 24, 2023). The Bigger Picture Conference: Shame, Resistance and Ethical Challenges – Q&A. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv9jbEOE8Y4

Genspect (Oct 14, 2023). The Bigger Picture Conference: Preliminary Findings from Online Trans/Detrans Communities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42N1U0NP3Zo

Louise Perry (Oct 8, 2023). When girls think they’re boys – Eliza Mondegreen | Maiden Mother Matriarch 34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SoRYl_e1tQ

Benjamin Boyce (Sep 23, 2023). Weirdos of the World, Unite | with Eliza Mondegreen & Jessie Mannisto. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ8mQSMsBgE

Benjamin Boyce (Jul 21, 2023). The Gauntlet of Modern Girlhood | with Eliza Mondegreen & Lisa Marchiano. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUZubRe4bFM

Leslie Elliott Boyce (Jul 12, 2023). Eliza Mondegreen: Gender as an Idiom of Distress. The Radical Center https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YICE24MknGg

Wesley Yang (Jun 21, 2023). In the Belly of the Gender Beast [Eliza Mondegreen, Lisa Selin Davis, Corinna Cohn]. Year Zero https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBChnNon0Ec

Benjamin Boyce (Jun 13, 2023). So Over The Rainbow | with Alasdair Gunn & Eliza Mondegreen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCpKJ9DXavk

Benjamin Boyce (May 27, 2023). Fatal Flaws in “Gender Affirming” Care | with Eliza Mondegreen & Aaron Terrell. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f2-a7fY9Zc

Gender: A Wider Lens (May 26, 2023). EP 115: How Online Communities Shape, Thought, Desire, & Doubt about Transition, w/ Eliza Mondegreen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tAvRWq7wOA

Benjamin Boyce (Mar 28, 2023). The Dangerous Radicalization of Gender Rhetoric | with Stella O’Malley & Eliza Mondegreen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63-bfpx2yy0

Genspect (Mar 26, 2024). Webinar Four: Writers’ Roundtable- Eliza Mondegreen and Jonathan Kay. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiJWHUu65Ac

Transparency (Feb 19, 2023). EP57 – The Eunuch Makers – With Eliza Mondegreen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB069ziTUNc

Sarah Phillimore (Feb 14, 2023). Eliza Mondegreen on WPATH conference, research on gender affirming care and more. [Rona Duwe, Eliza Mondegreen, Shannon Thrace] Women’s Declaration International https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6NFf8e3Is8

Benjamin Boyce (Jan 28, 2023). Smells Like Social Contagion | with Eliza Mondegreen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGEezaAPp20

Benjamin Boyce (Nov 30, 2022). Medical Fads & Fanatics | with Eliza Mondegreen & Mia Ashton. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b2DxfTeSjw

The Center for Bioethics Culture & Network (Nov 30, 2022). A conversation with Eliza Mondegreen & Jennifer Lahl. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Xs5FCRAJI

Benjamin Boyce (Nov 4, 2022). Gender Medicine Has Gone INSANE | An Inside Investigation, with Eliza Mondegreen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk0-s9LEAxM

Julia Long (Jul 4, 2022). Language and the Values that Underlie Our Movement [Kara Dansky, Eliza Mondegreen, Jesika Gonzalez, and Amanda Stulman]. Women’s Declaration International https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6oKt-wLo5g

Resources

Unspeakable (unspeakablelgbtq.weebly.com)

X/Twitter (x.com)

Substack (substack.com)

UnHerd (unherd.com)

World Professional Association for Transgender Health (wpath.org)

  • Sarah MIttermaier, BA, Washington, DC

Quora (quora.com)

Flickr (flickr.com)

Isthmus (https://isthmus.com/api/search.html?q=mittermaier)

Reddit (reddit.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

The New York Post is a conservative American media organization that publishes consistently anti-transgender content.

Background

The New York Evening Post was founded in 1801 by Alexander Hamilton.

In 1939, Dorothy Schiff bought control of the New York Post and installed spouse George Backer as publisher and president. The paper switched to a tabloid format in the 1940s under Backer. Schiff installed Ted Thackrey as editor, then married Thackrey after divorcing Backer. The paper was generally liberal through the 1940s. Thackrey and Schiff divorced following disagreements about whom to endorse for President in the 1948 election.

Schiff sold the Post to Rupert Murdoch in 1976, and the paper shifted to conservative coverage. Murdoch was forced to sell the paper in 1988 to comply with regulations about cross-ownership of media. After a series of owners who tried various changes in format and levels of sensationalism, the Post was repurchased in 1993 by Murdoch’s News Corporation after the FCC dave Murdoch a permanent waiver regarding cross-ownership.

The Post operates NYPost.com, gossip site PageSix.com (launched in print in 1977 and online in 2000), and entertainment site Decider.com (launched 2014). Due to extensive promotion of Donald Trump starting in the 1980s, the paper is reportedly Trump’s preferred newspaper.

The Post’s virulently homophobic coverage of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s led to the formation of GLAAD in 1985.

Contributors

Contributors who have published anti-trans content include Suzy Weiss, ex-trans activist “Chloe Cole” and conservative Meghan McCain. The Editorial Board has published dozens of anti-trans standalone pieces as well as many more mentions in opinion round-ups, drastically increasing their frequency starting in 2023.

References

Out History (December 1, 1985). GLAAD Holds First Rally Outside New York Post. https://outhistory.org/items/show/3519

Storey, Kate (Feb 12, 2020). The Secret History of Page Six. Esquire https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a30709872/page-six-gossip-history-new-york-post/

Moore, Jack (January 24, 2017). What We Can Learn From What Donald Trump Reads. GQ https://www.gq.com/story/donald-trump-reading-list

Selected anti-trans writing

Editorial board (April 7, 2025). ‘Trans’ inclusion = all-male finals, the hands-off hypocrite left and other commentary. New York Post https://nypost.com/2025/04/07/opinion/trans-inclusion-all-male-finals-the-hands-off-hypocrite-left-and-other-commentary/

Editorial board (March 8, 2025). California Gov. Gavin Newsom drops woke — and wakes up to political reality. New York Post https://nypost.com/2025/03/08/opinion/gavin-newsom-drops-woke-and-wakes-up-to-political-reality/

Editorial board (March 4, 2025). Dems prove they’re still radicals by killing bill to protect women’s sports. New York Post https://nypost.com/2025/03/04/opinion/dems-kill-bill-to-protect-womens-sports/

Editorial board (Feb. 4, 2025). Tish James has some nerve threatening hospitals that won’t defy Trump’s sex-change order. New York Post https://nypost.com/2025/02/04/opinion/tish-james-has-some-nerve-warning-hospitals-to-defy-trump-on-trans-gender-treatment/

Editorial board (Nov. 29, 2024). Bravo to the brave women athletes who are standing up to trans madness. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/11/29/opinion/bravo-to-the-brave-boise-state-athletes-who-are-standing-up-to-trans-madness/

Editorial board (Dec. 30, 2024). Get biological men out of women’s prisons — NOW! New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/12/30/opinion/get-biological-men-out-of-womens-prisons-now/

Editorial board (Dec. 5, 2024). The awful unreality of the case for transitioning kids exposed. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/12/05/opinion/the-awful-unreality-of-the-case-for-transitioning-kids-exposed/

Editorial board (Nov. 20, 2024). Mike Johnson settles the House trans-bathroom kerfuffle with a simple truth. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/11/20/opinion/mike-johnson-settles-the-house-trans-bathroom-kerfuffle-with-a-simple-truth/

Editorial board (Nov. 14, 2024). Boys in girls’ sports — what will it take for Democrats to wake up? New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/11/14/opinion/boys-in-girls-sports-what-will-it-take-for-democrats-to-wake-up/

Editorial board (Nov. 5, 2024). How can dubious ‘misgendering’ claims threaten to destroy this law student’s life? New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/11/05/opinion/how-can-dubious-misgendering-claims-threaten-to-destroy-this-law-students-life/

Editorial board (Oct. 26, 2024). Gender extremist doctor hides data showing puberty blockers do NOTHING to help kids. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/10/26/opinion/extremist-doctor-hides-data-that-show-puberty-blockers-do-nothing-to-help-kids/

Editorial board (Aug. 11, 2024). Prop 1 would mandate extreme ‘trans rights’ in New York — and that’s not even the worst of it. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/08/11/opinion/prop-1-would-mandate-extreme-trans-rights-in-new-york-and-thats-not-even-the-worst-of-it/

Editorial board (Aug. 1, 2024). That Olympics boxing match offered a scary taste of possible harm when males compete against females. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/08/01/opinion/that-olympics-boxing-match-offered-a-scary-taste-of-possible-harm-when-males-compete-against-females/

Editorial board (July 23, 2024). Elon Musk’s anti-woke ‘awakening’ has a tragic backstory. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/07/23/opinion/elon-musks-anti-woke-awakening-has-a-tragic-backstory/

Editorial board (June 29, 2024). Rachel Levine proves YET AGAIN she’s America’s No. 1 gender extremist. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/06/29/opinion/rachel-levine-proves-again-shes-the-no-1-gender-extremist/

Editorial board (June 24, 2024). Texas Children’s Hospital whistleblower shines light on gender madness. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/06/24/opinion/texas-childrens-hospital-whistleblower-shines-light-on-gender-madness/

Editorial board (June 21, 2024). Schools Chancellor David Banks rewards bullying by ousting Maud Maron. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/06/21/opinion/why-is-nyc-schools-chancellor-david-banks-backing-trans-bullies/

Editorial board (May 10, 2024). NYS Board of Regents joins the woke battle to force biological boys into girls’ sports. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/05/10/opinion/state-board-of-regents-joins-woke-crackdown-on-trans-sports-dissent/

Editorial board (May 4, 2024). West Virginia girls stand up against trans sports madness — they’re braver than the president. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/05/04/opinion/west-virginia-girls-stand-up-against-trans-sports-madness-theyre-braver-than-the-president/

Editorial board (April 15, 2024). More proof ‘gender-affirming care’ is a monstrous lie — save the children NOW. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/04/15/opinion/cass-report-proves-gender-affirming-surgery-is-a-monstrous-lie/

Editorial board (April 5, 2024). Protect kids: Break the grip of transgender extremism. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/04/05/opinion/protect-kids-break-the-grip-of-transgender-extremism/

Editorial board (March 31, 2024). Are Biden & Co. trolling us all with ‘Trans Day’ on Easter, or just that clueless? New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/03/31/opinion/are-biden-amp-co-trolling-us-all-with-trans-day-on-easter-or-just-that-clueless/

Editorial board (March 21, 2024). Potential transgender sports ban in ultra-woke Manhattan would be a big win for athletes — and sanity. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/03/21/opinion/hurrah-for-sanity-on-a-trans-athlete-ban-in-ultra-woke-manhattan/

Editorial board (March 16, 2024). Britain bans puberty blockers for transgender teens while voodoo ‘science’ still rules US. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/03/16/opinion/britain-bans-puberty-blockers-for-transgender-teens-while-voodoo-science-still-rules-us/

Editorial board (Feb. 8, 2024). Trans volleyball insanity is a spike to the face for women in sports. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/02/08/opinion/trans-volleyball-insanity-is-a-spike-to-the-face-for-women-in-sports/

Editorial board (Dec. 21, 2023). UK rules on kid transition proves parents can beat the woke mob. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/12/21/opinion/uk-fights-trans-madness-with-school-rules-on-sports-bathrooms/

Editorial board (Sep. 15, 2023). Luka Hein lawsuit proves it: Don’t let kids transition. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/09/15/luka-hein-lawsuit-proves-it-dont-let-kids-transition/

Editorial board (Aug. 24, 2023). NY Times vindicates trans-clinic whistleblower Jamie Reed — Keep up the scrutiny. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/08/24/ny-times-vindicates-trans-clinic-whistleblower-jamie-reed-keep-up-the-scrutiny/

Editorial board (Aug. 21, 2023). From Virginia to Jersey, ‘trans rights’ can’t trump parents’ duty. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/08/21/stop-woke-maniacs-from-harming-kids-in-va-and-nj/

Editorial board ( Aug. 16, 2023). Make schools lie to parents about their kids: Phil Murphy’s vast arrogance. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/08/16/phil-murphys-vast-arrogance-in-making-school-lie-to-parents-about-gender-transitions/

Editorial board (July 12, 2023). Dylan Mulvaney and Bud Light live in a woke distorted reality. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/07/12/dylan-mulvaney-and-bud-light-live-in-woke-distorted-reality/

Editorial board (June 25, 2023). Save kids from trans-crazy doctors or expect more tragedies. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/06/25/save-kids-from-trans-crazy-doctors-or-expect-more-tragedies/

Editorial board (June 24, 2023). Trans extremists refuse to face facts: Men are stronger than women. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/06/24/serena-williams-proved-it-men-are-stronger-than-womentrans-extremists-refuse-to-face-facts-men-are-stronger-than-women/

Editorial board (June 13, 2023). Mayor Adams bends the knee on trans madness. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/06/13/eric-adams-give-in-to-trans-extremists/

Editorial board (May 7, 2023). The trans bubble’s bursting, troops won’t end border madness and other commentary. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/05/07/the-trans-bubbles-bursting-troops-wont-end-border-madness-and-other-commentary/

Editorial board (April 23, 2023). Forcing girls to compete against trans athletes is also DANGEROUS. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/04/23/forcing-girls-to-compete-against-trans-athletes-is-also-dangerous/

Editorial board (April 6, 2023). Tish James’ woke trans crusade is a money-wasting overreach. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/04/06/tish-james-woke-trans-crusade-is-a-money-wasting-overreach/

Editorial board (March 29, 2023). Audrey Hale’s identity is no reason to cover up her ‘manifesto.’ New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/03/29/audrey-hales-identity-no-reason-to-cover-up-her-manifesto/

Editorial board (March 17, 2023). Transing tweens: Team Biden’s gender extremism knows no bounds. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/03/17/transing-tweens-team-bidens-gender-extremism-knows-no-bounds/

Editorial board (Feb. 16, 2023). Don’t bet on The New York Times to resist trans extremists. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/02/16/dont-bet-on-the-new-york-times-to-resist-trans-extremists/

Editorial board (Jan. 23, 2023). Even the New York Times sees the madness of keeping parents in the dark as kids transition. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/01/23/even-new-york-times-sees-madness-of-keeping-parents-in-the-dark-as-kids-transition/

Editorial board (Nov. 24, 2022). Suddenly, the Times is publishing some news that doesn’t fit the left-wing line. New York Post https://nypost.com/2022/11/24/new-york-times-is-publishing-some-news-that-doesnt-fit-the-left-wing-line/

Editorial board (Sep. 21, 2022). Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers utter sanity in new school rules on trans kids. New York Post https://nypost.com/2022/09/21/glenn-youngkin-delivers-sanity-in-new-school-rules-on-trans-kids/

Editorial board (May 23, 2022). Questioning trans claims isn’t bigotry and other commentary. New York Post https://nypost.com/2022/05/23/questioning-trans-claims-isnt-bigotry-and-other-commentary/

Editorial board (May 20, 2022). Trans athletes having their own division is step in the right direction. New York Post https://nypost.com/2022/05/20/trans-athletes-having-their-own-division-is-step-in-the-right-direction/

Editorial board (Dec. 7, 2021). Dominating in women’s sports as a trans athlete is fundamentally selfish. New York Post https://nypost.com/2021/12/07/dominating-in-womens-sports-as-a-trans-athlete-is-selfish/

Editorial board (Oct. 11, 2021). Dave Chappelle is right on trans and other commentary. New York Post https://nypost.com/2021/10/11/dave-chappelle-is-right-on-trans-and-other-commentary/

Editorial board (Feb. 28, 2021). Amazon turns from book-seller to censor by dropping transgenderism book. New York Post https://nypost.com/2021/02/28/amazon-turns-from-book-seller-to-censor-by-dropping-transgenderism-book/

Editorial board (Jan. 21, 2021). Biden’s executive order unlevels the playing field for girls. New York Post https://nypost.com/2021/01/21/bidens-exec-order-unlevels-the-playing-field-for-girls/

Editorial board (March 13, 2019). Cuomo’s petty trans-rights authoritarian play. New York Post https://nypost.com/2019/03/13/cuomos-petty-trans-rights-authoritarian-play/

Editorial board (Feb. 20, 2019). The insane gay backlash against Martina Navratilova. New York Post https://nypost.com/2019/02/20/the-insane-gay-backlash-against-martina-navratilova/

Editorial board ( Aug. 27, 2016). Team Obama’s new low in the name of ‘trans rights.’ New York Post https://nypost.com/2016/08/27/forcing-doctors-to-operate-team-obamas-new-low-in-the-name-of-trans-rights/

Editorial board (June 2, 2016). A principled progressive slams the ACLU’s trans-privileging. New York Post https://nypost.com/2016/06/02/a-principled-progressive-slams-the-aclus-trans-privileging/

Resources

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The Washington Post is an American media organization. It is considered a paper of record for the United States, along with The New York Times.

Washington Post has covered trans issues with several important initiatives, including the 2023 KFF/The Washington Post Trans Survey.

In December 2024, the Post signaled a significant shift from objectivity that reflected relentless laundering of anti-trans extremism into mainstream media. The Editorial Board presented gender-affirming care for minors as a controversy where “the medical questions have not been properly resolved,” citing “scientists’ failure to study these treatments slowly and systematically.”

Leadership

  • Sally Buzbee, Executive Editor
  • Krissah Thompson, Managing Editor
  • Justin Bank, Managing Editor
  • Barbara Vobejda, Managing Editor
  • Monica Norton, Deputy Managing Editor
  • Mark W. Smith, Deputy Managing Editor
  • Scott Vance, Deputy Managing Editor
  • Liz Seymour, Deputy Managing Editor (Newsroom operations, standards and planning)
  • Ann Gerhart, Senior Visual Enterprise Editor
  • Erika Allen, Head of Audience Strategy and Growth
  • Coleen O’Lear, Head of Curation and Platforms
  • Carla Broyles, Senior Career Development Editor
  • Sommer Mathis, Senior Recruiting Editor
  • Terrell Mizell, Senior Recruiting Consultant
  • Matea Gold, National Editor
  • Phil Rucker, Deputy National Editor
  • Douglas Jehl, Foreign Editor
  • Jennifer Amur, Deputy Foreign Editor
  • Mike Semel, Local Editor
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  • Lori Montgomery, Business Editor
  • Damian Paletta, Deputy Business Editor
  • Christina Passariello, Deputy Business Editor
  • Jeff Leen, Investigations Editor
  • David Fallis, Deputy Investigations Editor
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  • Zachary Goldfarb, Climate and Environment Editor
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Assessments

Statista

“The Washington Post’s credibility fared relatively well in 2022, with a survey revealing that 48 percent of respondents believed the publication to be very or somewhat credible. The Washington Post’s credibility rating was slightly lower than that of The New York Times, and the paper also lost out to The Wall Street Journal in this regard.”

Ad Fontes Media (adfontesmedia.com)

Ad Fontes Media rates Washington Post in the Skews Left category of bias and as Generally Reliable/Analysis OR Other Issues in terms of reliability. 

  • https://adfontesmedia.com/washington-post-bias-and-reliability/
  • Reliability: 38.15
  • Bias: -8.75

NewsGuard (newsguardtech.com)

  • Standards met:
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  • as of 1 January 2020

Contributors

The following people have had writing published in the Washington Post.

Letters of note

  • Rachel Cornwell and Liz Matthews

2024 editorial critical of youth gender medicine

In December 2024, the Post signaled a significant shift that reflected relentless laundering of anti-trans extremism into mainstream media.

Without citing any recent research finding low regret rates or citing any countries that have reaffirmed the benefits of gender affirming care for minors, the editorial notes “at least some patients who transitioned later experience regret and suffer the fate the treatments were supposed to avoid: a body that doesn’t match their gender identity.”

Signaling their desire to have a politically-appointed non-expert review similar to the UK’s disastrous Cass Review, the Post urged a US non-expert review “overseen by scientists who are not gender medicine practitioners.”

They cited the following:

  • the British Cass Review by anti-trans pediatrician Hilary Cass and the subsequent ban of puberty blockers for trans minors (but not cis minors)
  • the report by the Norwegian Healthcare Investigation Board (UKOM) criticizing gender affirming care as “experimental”
  • the report by Swedish anti-trans activist Mikael LandĂ©n et al criticizing gender affirming care as “experimental”
  • a paper by Carmichael et al, ignoring that overall patient experience was positive, focusing instead on psychological function, which The Post characterized as “lackluster results”
  • anti-trans activist Jesse Singal’s blog post critical of a New England Journal of Medicine paper on psychosocial functioning, in which The Post claimed NEJM “massaged the results”
  • an Economist piece attacking WPATH
  • a Boston Globe piece about psychologist Amy Tishelman’s lawsuit against Boston Children’s Hospital
  • a New York Times piece by anti-trans activist Azeen Ghorayshi attacking pediatrician Johanna Olson-Kennedy

Anti-trans activists lauded the editorial, including Leor Sapir, Jesse Singal, Benjamin Ryan, Lisa Selin Davis, and Partners for Ethical Care. The editorial was praised by consistently anti-trans conservative platforms, including National Review, Catholic Vote, Ovarit, and X.

The authors were:

  • David Shipley, Opinion Editor 
  • Charles Lane, Deputy Opinion Editor 
  • Stephen Stromberg, Deputy Opinion Editor 
  • Mary Duenwald
  • James Hohmann
  • Eduardo Porter
  • Keith B. Richburg

References

Wilchins, Riki (December 20, 2024). The Anti-Care Playbook. Assigned Media https://www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-news/washington-post-anti-care-playbook

Lazine, Mira (December 16, 2024). Opinion: Washington Post Editorial Board Misleadingly Attacks Care Of Trans Youth. Erin in the Morning https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/opinion-washington-post-editorial

Schorr, Isaac (December 16, 2024). Washington Post Editorial Board Declares There Is ‘Reason to Worry’ About Transgender Treatments for Kids. Mediaite https://www.mediaite.com/news/washington-post-editorial-board-declares-there-is-reason-to-worry-about-transgender-treatments-for-kids/

Berry, Susan (December 18, 2024). Washington Post admits subjecting children to ‘transgender medicine’ not based on ‘science.’ Catholic Vote https://catholicvote.org/washington-post-admits-subjecting-children-to-transgender-medicine-not-based-on-science/

Butler, Jack (December 17, 2024). Transgender Skepticism from . . . the Washington Post? National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/transgender-skepticism-from-the-washington-post/

Selected anti-trans publications

Editorial board (December 15, 2024). Look to science, not law, for real answers on youth gender medicine. Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/12/15/skrmetti-case-youth-transition-trans-supreme-court/ alt title: Opinion | Skrmetti court case won’t settle questions about youth gender medicine.

Resources

The Washington Post (washingtonpost.com)

Britannica (britannica.com)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

WorldCat (worldcat.org)

Steve Sailer is an American far-right activist, white nationalist, and anti-transgender extremist. Sailer created the Human Biodiversity Institute, an organization dedicated to eugenic ideology.

Background

Ernest Steven “Steve” Sailer was born on December 20, 1958 and was adopted soon after by Ernest Rudolph Sailer (1917–2012) . Sailer grew up in Los Angeles and earned a bachelor’s degree from Rice University in 1980, followed by an MBA at UCLA in 1982.

From 1982 to 2000, Sailer worked at Chicago-based SymphonyIRI Group (now IRI).

Sailer and spouse Carole Rita (Guse) Sailer (born 1959) have two children, Matthew Leonard Sailer (born 1985) and Peter Ernest Sailer (born 1992).

Connection to J. Michael Bailey

When psychologist J. Michael Bailey published anti-trans book The Man Who Would Be Queen in 2003. Steve Sailer’s “Roster of Human Biodiversity Discussion Group” linked many of Bailey’s reviewers back to before Bailey had published what became the book online in 2000.

Sailer’s iSteve site also has top page links to many members’ sites, and to others who share his ideology:

Sailer on Bailey

Michael Bailey: A psychologist at Northwestern, Bailey is a leading researcher into homosexuality, and one of the handful of realists on this subject where moralizing (whether of the religious or politically correct variety — “Gays: Sinners Against God or Victims of Society?”) is standard.

Here’s Sailer’s shill review for Amazon

Wonderfully readable book on gay males and transsexuals, August 16, 2003 

Reviewer: Steve Sailer (see more about me) from Studio City, CA

United States Please note that this book has been the subject of an organized smear campaign among transsexuals, which accounts for most of unhinged reviews you’ll see below.

Professor Bailey is the chairman of the psychology department at Northwestern and probably the leading researcher into homosexuality in America.

The first two thirds of the book are about male homosexuals, who, as you’ll note, aren’t complaining. It briskly reviews most of the scientific evidence on male homosexuality, which shows that most of the stereotypes about gay men tend to be more or less true on average. I’ve studied this issue for years, and everything I’ve ever seen points to the validity of Bailey’s conclusions about male homosexuals.

Bailey has outraged transexuals by publishing in the last third of the book in highly readable form the evidence that has been mounting for a number of years in scientific journals that the standardized explanation of transsexualism — “I always felt like a girl on the inside, even when I was a linebacker, then a Navy SEAL, then the most feared corporate raider on Wall Street” — is not very persuasive. Bailey suggests that male to female transsexuals tend to fall into one of two categories — extremely effeminate homosexuals or masculine men who have an odd fetish called autogynephilia, which is a kind of heterosexual narcissism.

Is this true? Beats me. My main exposure to transsexualism is the wonderful travel writer James/Jan Morris’ memoir “Conundrum,” which repeats the “I always felt like a girl” party line. It struck me at the time that Morris’ descriptions of how he was a military officer, an adventurer, and fathered five children while feeling like a girl on the inside sure sounded bogus, but I hadn’t heard at the time the alternative explanation of autogynephilia. Anyway, it would be easy to see why nobody would want to be associated with autogynephilia.

In sum, a fascinating and informative book that a well-organized pressure group doesn’t want you to read. What better reason to read it?

Sailer says this about Ray Blanchard:

Of course, the article ignores the truth about male to female transsexuals, as discovered by leading Canadian sexologist Ray Blanchard. All that stuff about, “Even when I was captain of the football team, I always felt like a girl on the inside,” is in most cases a cover story. In reality, most cases fall into two categories. The first are extremely effeminate homosexuals who want to attract a Real (i.e., straight) Man, and figure their only chance is to become a quasi-Real Woman. The second are what Blanchard calls “autogynephiles.” These are, in effect, narcissists who become overwhelmingly attracted, quasi-heterosexually, to the idea of themselves as a beautiful woman. They classically start out dressing up in their mother’s lingerie and, uh, amorously admiring themselves in front of the mirror. That’s kind of embarrassing to explain, so they settled on this “I feel like a girl on the inside” party line. But don’t expect to read that in the NYT.

www.isteve.com/Web%20Exclusives%20Archive-Aug2002.htm
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20020823-120858-6977r

Interview: Are stereotypes of homosexuals true? by Steve Sailer — To paraphrase Mark Twain, everybody talks about sexual orientation, but Michael Bailey is one of the few scientists who rigorously researches it. The Northwestern University psychology professor is among the most respected figures in the field of objectively investigating homosexuality.

Sailer was quoted on the Joseph Henry Press site.

“Gay germ” theory

Gay gene or gay germ? (17 August 2003) http://www.vdare.com/sailer/gay_gene.htm

Pinker’s Progress logrolling for Steven Pinker

http://www.vdare.com/sailer/pinker_progress.htm

Steve was a fellow at the conservative Hudson Institute.

Since it was his shot at the big time, his presentation to Margaret Thatcher and some Hudson Institute people probably best sums up his worldview (see a synopsis below).

Sailer writes for UPI, the formerly objective press consortium now bankrolled by conservative Sun Myung Moon.

Ray Blanchard was one of the very first people to sign on with Steve’s Biodiversity group, no doubt because of Sailer’s prominent role in assisting Canada’s positive eugenics programs through psychology (following the groundbreaking eugenics work of psychologist Charles Kirk Clarke, as in Canada’s anti-trans Clarke Institute). The British/Canada connection is an interesting one.

The Catholic church (via Paul McHugh?) has been churning out a lot of position papers on this matter lately, though Sailer holds views antithetical to most Catholic doctrine. He suggests that the quaint notion that we are all equal in a spiritual sense or the US Constitution’s quaint claim that “all men are created equal” need to be done away with as we enter the “Age of Galton,” which he sees as the next big paradigm shift.

Francis Galton coined the term “eugenics,” was a sort of protopsychologist, and a criminologist who invented the concept of fingerprinting. Steve’s Human Biodiversity group seeks to gather the far-flung diaspora of thinkers and fields influenced by Galton’s undeniably brilliant but ideologically volatile contributions.

Sailer seems to see himself as an evangelist of Galton’s, though he has put a decidedly unusual ideological spin to eugenics. He has fused Marx and Darwin into an ideology in which he seems to advocate a sort of genetic division of labor, taking most examples from sports. He envisions a society of genetic classes each assigned to do what they do best, sort of an antithesis of Marx’s classless society. He also notes that traditional eugenics programs (i.e. genocide and sterilization) are in place in China, and that we are poised to lose the eugenics “arms race” if we don’t implement our own eugenics programs pronto.

He sees those advocating Galtonian principles of eugenics as suffering a sort of religious persecution, getting kicked out of universities and generally reviled. Sailer’s isn’t your Fuhrer’s eugenics, this is a kinder, gentler eugenics!

Presentation to Margaret Thatcher

Sailer presented to Margaret Thatcher at a Hudson Institute event.

http://www.isteve.com/thatcher-speech-web_files/frame.htm

“To Lady Thatcher and three dozen other distinguished guests at the Hudson Institutes’ Thatcher Weekend conference on “Will the 21st Century Be the American Century?” Today, I’ll discuss the long run impact of the biotechnology revolution.”

[Sailer starts of with an example of positive eugenics, in which a family screened embryos to avoid having a second child with cystic fibrosis.]

“Should we ban every genetic manipulation? Or just the ones that would be socially deleterious? But, how would we know which ones are which? Or should we let the free market rip? Or should we subsidize enhancements for the poor and, uh, genetically-challenged?”

[Sailer claims we’ve moved from Marx’s obsession with “accidents of birth” (i.e. Class into which you were born) to Darwin’s “accidents of conception.”]

“In the West, outspoken Darwinian scientists like Edward O. Wilson, Arthur Jensen, J.P. Rushton, and Chris Brand have been the victims of assault, threat, riot, firing, censorship, character assassination, and constant harassment. […] What, by the way, is “human biodiversity?” It’s primarily biological differences in sex, race, and — to some debatable extent — sexual orientation. Just as studying the biodiversity of animals is interesting, aesthetically pleasing, and important to society, so is studying the fascinating biodiversity of humans. I take seriously the multiculturalist slogan “Celebrate Diversity.” Unfortunately, multiculturalists don’t. In practice, the diversicrats try to cover up human biodiversity. […] Consider the French-inspired post-modernist rebellion against science, knowledge, nature, and objective reality. […] The new prestige of evolutionary biology encouraged egalitarians to discard that corny creed of spiritual equality – and to adopt the shiny new scientific hypotheses that humans are physically and mentally uniform. And that, paradoxically, put progressive egalitarians on a collision course with Darwinian science. […] The human race is strengthened by its diversity, as long as we are allowed to specialize in what we do best and trade with people with different strong suits. That’s Ricardian economics 101.”

[An economic model of international trade introduced by David Ricardo to explain the pattern and the gains from trade in terms of comparative advantage. It assumes “perfect competition” (i.e. No affirmative action or economic handicapping for poor countries) and a single factor of production: labor, with constant requirements of labor per unit of output that differ across countries.]

“Similarly, one easy way for America to improve its human resources through immigration reform. Like Canada, we should just admit those likely to most benefit and least burden our current citizenry. Instead, who gets in depends primarily on family reunification, a euphemism for nepotism. […] Eugenics has a terrible reputation, much of it deserved. Until recently, eugenics in action mostly consisted of governments murdering people they didn’t like, as in Nazi Germany, or sterilizing them, as in Socialist Sweden. […] In contrast, today’s eugenics consists of couples freely choosing to improve their own children.”

[Sailer fails to mention Asians screening for female fetuses and aborting them, etc.]

“Will voluntary eugenics bring about utopia, or a Brave New Nightmare? It all depends on what impact these changes in gene frequencies have on society. Fortunately, we have a huge storehouse of data available to base predictions upon: namely, the vast amounts of existing genetic diversity. Unfortunately, we now discourage and even persecute scholars who try to study it.”

[Sailer advocates breeding a subset for intelligence because “In 1997 some high-IQ cancer researchers saved me from a painful death.”]

“Canada discriminates more in favor of intelligent immigrants than the United States. Which country has benefited more?”

[Sailer then goes on a Galtonian reverie about sex difference, where men are “natural” leaders, and women are “nurturing.”]

“But IQ is just one aspect. Consider how free market Galtonism may widen the gap between the sexes. People who want to choose their child’s sex will likely want to choose their genes so that they get boyish boys and girlish girls. They’ll crank up their sons’ testosterone levels to get athletic, square-jawed, hard-charging, natural leaders of men. But what will be the impact on society if the new generation of men are manlier on average? We might get some insights from studying the African-American community, since, as shown by their sports domination, they tend toward greater masculinity. […] Conversely, those parents who choose daughters, will tend to prefer higher estrogen levels to produce lovely, nurturing young ladies who will give them grandchildren and take care of them in their old age. […] When this is understood, it will increase demands for banning genetic technologies. Already, professional activists for the disabled worry that embryo selection will put them out of business by creating healthier people. […] Likewise, feminist organizations will go through the roof once they figure out that reproductive liberty would mean even more little girls who’d much prefer to play house than softball. […] However, just as eugenics was favored in the past by leftist busybodies like Beatrice and Sidney Webb, progressive pressure groups may well someday give up on banning eugenics and flip back to demanding mandatory re-engineering of human nature. Pacificists and multiculturalists will want to chop out our penchant for violence and ethnocentrism. Feminists will demand that the government redesign men to better appreciate women like themselves. Environmentalists will want to delete our desire for the internal combustion engine. “Why can’t people just stay in one place, like a tree?” If socialism failed because it conflicts with human nature, why not change human nature to make Marxism possible?”

(slide 51 is a full screen of Hilary Clinton clones, clearly the greatest threat humanity faces)

“Whether eugenics is officially banned or socialized, people will still try to make their own choices about their own kids. And that’s why God created the Cayman Islands. But these black market babies will out-compete their government-controlled rivals so badly, that governments will have to strike back. […] Unencumbered by post-Christian ethics, the Chinese government recently passed a pre-1945-style eugenics law calling for the sterilization of ‘morons.’ If China uses genetic enhancements while the West either bans them or pursues a politically correct re-engineering of human nature, the inevitable result within a few generations would be Chinese economic, and thus military, global hegemony. The weapons scientist and evolutionary theorist Gregory Cochran points out that ‘We cannot opt out of this biological arms race any more than we could opt out of the nuclear arms race.’”

Bailey on Sailer (2018)

At a 2028 coference held by anti-trans group FIRE, J. Michael Bailey wrote:

I was, for example, investigated by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which accused me of being part of an intellectual cabal that “tries to turn back the clock on sex, gender and race using eugenics and controversial genetic theories” (Dreger, 2008). The investigation was another prompted by the transwomen trying to ruin my life. The evidence for these particular charges was my participation in a Listserv begun by journalist Steve Sailer to discuss aspects of “biodiversity,” including sex, gender, and race. Many fine, heterodox, minds were on that Listserv, and I am proud to have been among them. The idea that the SPLC should attempt to discourage membership on private email lists because it disapproves of topics discussed on them is representative of what the SPLC has become.

References

Sailer, Steve (May 30, 1994). Why Lesbians Aren’t Gay. National Review http://www.isteve.com/lesvsgay.htm archive

Sailer, Steve (Jun 02, 2024). How to buy my anthology “Noticing.” https://www.stevesailer.net/p/how-to-buy-my-anthology-noticing

Wilson, Jason (September 28, 2024). Florida university to host extremist after DeSantis-led lurch to right. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/sep/28/new-college-of-florida-hosting-extremist-writer-steve-sailer

Starr, Paul (March 31, 2020). How the Right Went Far-Right. The media once quarantined neofascists. Not anymore. The American Prospect https://prospect.org/culture/books/how-the-right-went-far-right/

Burley, Shane (Winter 2020). The Autumn of the Alt Right. Commune https://communemag.com/the-autumn-of-the-alt-right/

Marantz, Andrew (2020). Antisocial: How Online Extremists Broke America. Picador, ISBN 978-1509882489

Books

Sailer, Steve (2024). Noticing: An Essential Reader (1973-2023). Passage Publishing, ISBN 978-1959403029

Sailer, Steve (2009). America’s Half-Blood Prince Barack Obama’s “Story of Race and Inheritance.” VDARE Foundation, ISBN 978-0578000374

Media

Ticker Carlson (Jun 25, 2024). Steve Sailer: BLM, Karens, Donald Trump, and What Democrats Don’t Want You to Know about DEI. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6wjy53o3r8

Resources

RationalWiki (rationalwiki.org)

iSteve.com [archive]

  • http://www.isteve.com/lesvsgay.htm
  • [archive]

Taki’s Magazine (takimag.com)

Rogues Gallery (rogues.wiki)

Unz Reader (unz.com)

Substack (substack.com)

VDARE (vdare.com) [archive]

  • Steve Sailer
  • vdare.com/users/steve-sailer [archive]
  • VDARE was debanked in 2024, disbanded in 2024 following cyberattacks and investigations by New York State

X/Twitter (x.com)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

Steve Sailer Sucks (xSteve.com) [archive]

Note: In 2025, this site phased out AI illustrations after artist feedback. The previous illustration is here.

Hannah Barnes is a British author and anti-transgender activist.

Barnes was an invited speaker at a 2023 anti-trans conference organized by the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine.

Background

Barnes earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Oxford in 2005 and a degree from City, University of London in 2006.

After roles at DeHavilland and GCap Media, Barnes joined the BBC in 2014.

Anti-trans activism

Barnes is a key figure in FUD propaganda around healthcare for gender diverse youth, with a special focus on medications for unwanted puberty.

Time to Think

Barnes authored the 2023 book Time to Think: The Inside Story of the Collapse of the Tavistock’s Gender Service for Children. The Tavistock was typical of bureaucratic centralized federally funded clinics that have emerged under nationalized healthcare systems. These clinics often deliver substandard care due to unacceptable wait times. Countries like Canada and the UK have closed these kinds of clinics in favor of decentralized options.

The acknowledgements list many key figures in global anti-trans activism:

This book would never have been written without the endless support of my husband, Pat, who has kept our family on track while allowing me to research, conduct interviews, write and rewrite. Enormous thanks are also due to my parents and step-parents for their love, and for their help with looking after their amazing grandchildren. To all those who shared their experience of GIDS as service users or as their family members, thank you for telling your stories. Ellie, Jack, Phoebe, Hannah, ‘Jacob’, ‘Michelle’, ‘Diana’, ‘Harriet’ – thank you for trusting with me with such personal accounts, and, in some cases, highly sensitive information.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all of the GIDS clinicians who have given me their time, shared their thoughts – whatever they may be – and who met or spoke with me, even if they did not feel comfortable being interviewed. To Anna Hutchinson, who patiently shared her experiences over many hours, to Matt Bristow, Will Crouch, Kirsty Entwistle, Sue Evans, Az Hakeem, Melissa Midgen, Natasha Prescott, Anastassis Spiliadis, and to the many, many others who have spoken on condition of anonymity – thank you. For some, I am aware it has been a difïŹcult experience, and I do not take lightly how daunting it might have been to share your views – for a variety of reasons. There are also further, unnamed clinicians who have spoken out over several years, and who have tried to bring about change away from the public eye. Thanks too to all who have spoken with me who work or worked in the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, or were charged with its governance: Sonia Appleby, Juliet Singer, David Bell, Marcus Evans, Stanley Ruszczynski, David Taylor, Marilyn Miller and those who do not wish to be named. Paul Moran, Donal O’Shea, Russell Viner, David Freedman and Stephanie Davies-Arai also deserve my thanks, as do Lucy Bannerman, Susan Matthews and Richard Stephens.

My ïŹrst, and exceptionally brilliant, reader was my uncle, Robert Barnes, and I thank him for his many thoughtful, wise suggestions and feedback. My second was Julia Murphy, who managed to squeeze in reading alongside work and family life. Thank you. This book would also not have been written without the encouragement of Innes Bowen, who convinced me that I had it in me. Nor would it have been possible without my agent Toby Mundy, who took it – and me – on, and who has been a consistent voice of calm when I have needed it. And to Mark Richards and Diana Broccardo at Swift Press, who were brave enough to publish it. For bringing coherence to the many, many references, thank you to the ever-patient Alex Middleton. The seeds were sown at BBC Newsnight, and there would have been no book without the original backing and courage of my former editor, EsmĂ© Wren, and my friend and former colleague Deborah Cohen, as well as support from deputy editors Dan Clarke, Verity Murphy and Stewart Maclean. Finally, thank you to everyone who has sent me source material or shared information, and to those whose names I don’t know who have had the wisdom to archive hundreds of webpages. I am indebted to you all.

Resources

Twitter (twitter.com)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

Priya Arora is an American journalist who identifies as nonbinary.

Background

Arora earned a bachelor’s degree from University of California, Irvine in 2010, followed by a master’s degrees from New York University in 2014 and Columbia University in 2016.

Arora worked as an editor at India.com, Brown Girl Magazine, and Floor Covering Weekly before taking a role as frontpage editor at Yahoo in 2017, then HuffPost in 2018.

New York Times

From 2018 to 2022 Arora worked at the New York Times. Arora was interviewed by Carolyn Ryan and got a contractor role reviewing headlines for the website. In 2019 Arora raised concerns about bias in pieces about chest binding that cited anti-trans site 4thWaveNow and had biased headlines.

Arora was offered a full-time role in London on the global news desk, returning to New York in 2020 and soon being named a senior staff editor. After the Times published a troubling op-ed by Tom Cotton urging a crackdown on George Floyd protestors, Dean Baquet agreed to a meeting with staffers. That led to formalizing of employee affinity groups, including Times Out, where Arora became a leader. These groups soon felt like extensions of management, though, and they were unable to implement things like bringing Trans Journalists Association in for a presentation. After some Times Out members protested an editorial board piece critical of New York Pride for requesting police not to wear uniforms, Carolyn Ryan sided with management. Tensions reached a head when anti-trans activist Pamela Paul of the New York Times book section hired anti-trans activist Jesse Singal to review anti-trans activist Helen Joyce’s book Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality. Arora decided to send an email to Baquet:

I’m reaching out today as a trans non-binary NYT employee who has been deeply hurt by this week, by the actions of my own employer. I want to preface this by saying never before have I walked into a workplace on day one and felt like I belonged. For me, that’s been the magic of this place. Of this institution, of the journalism we do and the values we uphold.

Reviewing this book was absolutely the right call. Picking a cisgender, transphobic person who has a history of denying gender identity is real and who has hurt and defamed transgender journalists was not the right call. As much as transgender issues have come to the forefront in the last few years as people, we’ve always been here. I’m heartened by the progress the Times has made this past year and the renewed efforts towards DEI goals that are backed by action.

It becomes hard to be so invested in our journalism and our coverage when internally our members share the feeling that the Times is not only not as inclusive as it could be, but is actively doing harm to trans, to trans and queer folks inside the building. I don’t know how to defend this place that I love, the people and reporters and editors I love working with when my existence as a trans person feels like it’s up for debate. I’m writing to you because I respect you a lot. I want to make a difference here. I want to know that the Times hears me and sees me as a queer and trans person of color, and is taking my lived experience seriously. There’s a lot more work to be done, but healing the pain that has been caused would require starting with an acknowledgement of our wrongs with a true desire to understand where we’ve made mistakes. Thank you for taking the time to hear me out, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Baquet replied:

I do want the Times to be an inclusive place. It is important to me personally and professionally, but I have to tell you, I disagree with you in this instance. I know Pamela worked hard to find someone to review the book. There was not a long line of people who were willing to do so, to be honest. And for all the criticism of the choice in the building and on social media, I have not seen much criticism of the actual review. There is another very large principle at play here. The editor of the book review has to have tremendous freedom to make choices. Each of us has political views, personal views, and friends who write books. I think she worked tremendously hard to manage all of those issues. Harper I do hope this disagreement doesn’t make you less proud of the place, the place hasn’t changed.

Arora was assigned an audience development role in California. During an interview for a possible role under deputy managing editor Sam Dolnick, publisher A.G. Sulzberger’s cousin, Dolnick said Baquet shared Arora’s email about Singal with the entire masthead.

Arora felt that was the cue to leave, and in 2022, Arora took an editor role at Apple News.

References

Sohn, Amy (May 31, 2019). Chest Binding Helps Smooth the Way for Transgender Teens, but There May Be Risks. New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/31/well/transgender-teens-binders.html

Staff report (May 31, 2019). Do You Use Chest Binders? Tell Us About Your Experience. New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/31/reader-center/chest-binding-experience.html

Takenaga, Lara (June 17, 2019). ‘It’s Binding or Suicide’: Transgender and Non-Binary Readers Share Their Experiences With Chest Binders. New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/17/reader-center/chest-binding.html

Gupta, Prachi (May 31, 2019) At the New York Times, ‘Objectivity’ Means Quoting One Trans Teen and One Anti-Trans Group. Jezebel https://jezebel.com/at-the-new-york-times-objectivity-means-quoting-one-tr-1835150495

Taylor, Derrick Bryson (November 2, 2019). Adoption Groups Could Turn Away L.G.B.T. Families Under Proposed Rule. New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/02/us/trump-hhs-lgbtq-rule.html

The editorial board (May 18, 2021). A Misstep by the Organizers of Pride. New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/18/opinion/nyc-pride-police-parade.html

Resources

Priya Arora (thepriyaarora.com)

Substack (substack.com)

Queering Desi (queeringdesi.com)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

X/Twitter (x.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

Contently (contently.com)