“Eliza Mondegreen” / Sarah Mittermaier vs. transgender people

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

SPLC-designated anti-trans hate group Genspect
SPLC-designated anti-trans hate group Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM)
Anti-trans group blog UnHerd

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 Veissière 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 Róisín 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, Veissière 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 Ramírez (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