John Higgon is a British psychologist and anti-transgender activist. Higgon is supportive of the disputed diagnosis “rapid onset gender dysphoria” and supports “gender exploratory therapy,” a form of non-affirming care for trans youth. Higgon is involved with SPLC-designated hate group Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM), which led to the creation of conversion therapy lobby group Genspect. Higgon is a member of Thoughtful Therapists, another conversion therapy lobby group. Higgon was convener of ScotPag, the version of Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender for Scotland.
Background
Higgon earned a doctorate from University of Edinburgh in 1999.
Higgon is a psychologist with Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care. Much of Higgon’s work is with older patients.
Anti-transgender activism
Higgon was one of several signatories who praised the Cass Review that finally closed the UK’s inefficient Tavistock youth gender clinic and opened the door for decentralized care for gender diverse youth. Higgon and friends celebrated the closure for different reasons in a response. Co-signers were:
- Angela Dixon, GP
- Dr David Bell, Retired Consultant Psychiatrist
- Dr Lucy Griffin, Consultant Psychiatrist
- Dr Seth Bhunoo, Consultant Psychiatrist
- Dr Sallie Baxendale, Consultant Neuropsychologist. Honorary Associate Professor UCL
- Dr Az Hakeem, Consultant Psychiatrist. Hon Clinical associate professor UCL
- Dr Louise Irvine, GP
- Dr John Higgon, Consultant Clinical neuropsychologist
- Dr Madeleine Ni Dhalaigh, GP
- Dr Robin Ion, Senior lecturer in mental health nursing
- Bob Withers, Analytical Psychotherapist
- Prof David Pilgrim, Chartered Clinical Psychologist
- Dr Maja Bowen [aka “Isidora Sanger”/”la scapigliata”]
- Dr Tessa Katz, GP
- Dr Ellen Wright, GP
Higgon wrote:
We think the current guidelines effectively prohibit psychologists from taking a questioning approach and applying ethical practice in these situations. The absence of a robust evidence base supporting psychological and medical intervention is a concern in this rapidly growing population, leaving significant gaps in our understanding of many relevant issues. The disproportionate increase in presentations of females to services, the phenomenon of so-called Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria, the voices of individuals who have desisted or detransitioned, and the experiences of those for whom existing treatments have been of value must all be addressed in the search for quality research informing best-evidence practice. Such research can only be conducted in an environment that is open to discussion in a respectful and professionally inquisitive manner.
In 2023, Higgon was convener of ScotPAG (Scottish Professionals Advising on Gender). Higgon outlined its origins: “Some of us CAN-SG members who are based in Scotland found ourselves talking about the situation in Scotland and the need to engage with Scottish institutions, most obviously the Scottish government, about gender healthcare.:
Higgon was also a signatory on WHO Decides, a petition protesting Florence Ashley and others in a working group announced by the World Health Organization. Higgon also signed the Protecting Puberty petition deisgned to halt clinical trials of puberty blockers in the UK.
References
Reed, Erin (August 23, 2022). Hunter Schafer, Transmedicalism, And The Real Responsibility For Anti-Trans Laws. Erin In The Morning https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/hunter-schafer-transmedicalism-and
Selected writing by Higgon
Higgon et al (December 14, 2025). Plea to halt the Pathways Puberty Blocker Trial. via BPSwatch https://bpswatch.com/2025/12/15/plea-to-wes-streeting-to-halt-the-puberty-blocker-trial/ also via CAN-SG at https://can-sg.org/2025/12/18/open-letter-to-wes-streeting-on-the-pathways-puberty-blockers-trial/
Higgon, John (July 3, 2025). EDI – where did it all go wrong? BPSwatch https://bpswatch.com/2025/07/03/edi-where-did-it-all-go-wrong/
Higgon et al (December 7, 2024). Open Letter to Health Secretary: Concerns About NHS Puberty Blocker Study. Genspect UK https://genspect.org/open-letter-to-health-secretary-concerns-about-nhs-puberty-blocker-study/
Higgon et al (April 19, 2024). [Open letter to UK Prime Minster demanding public inquiry into trans healthcare]. via The Christian Institute https://www.christian.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Public_Inquiry_Letter-1.pdf
Higgon, John (November 17, 2023). Reason, facts, talking and learning. Dr John Higgon on our interview with Dr Rob Agnew; with his response. The British Psychological Society https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/reason-facts-talking-and-learning
Higgon, John (October 15, 2023). ScotPAG’s history as a group of concerned professionals. ScotPAG https://www.scotpag.com/post/scotpag-s-history-as-a-group-of-concerned-professionals
Higgon et al (August 3, 2022). Time for honest reflection, not defence. The British Psychological Society https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/time-honest-reflection-not-defence
David Bell, Lucy Griffin, Seth Bhunoo, Sallie Baxendale, Az Hakeem, Louise irvine, John Higgon, Madeleine Ni Dhalaigh, Robin Ion, Bob Withers, David Pilgrim, Maja Bowen, Tessa Katz, Ellen Wright (2022). Comment: Review of gender identity services for children and young people. BMJ 2022; 376:o629 https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o629
Higgon et al (January 4, 2021). Open letter to the BBC regarding inaccurate and unethical reporting on Bell vs. Tavistock. via Christian Medical Fellowship https://www.cmf.org.uk/12529-2/
Staff report (April 8, 2020). Specialist HD Staff Appointed to Support Families in Dumfries & Galloway. Scottish Huntington’s Association https://hdscotland.org/specialist-hd-staff-appointed-to-support-families-in-dumfries-galloway/
Higgon et al (September 3, 2020). Freedom of expression around diversity guidelines. The British Psychological Society https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/freedom-expression-around-diversity-guidelines
Resources
Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care (dghscp.co.uk)
ScotPAG (scotpag.com)
ResearchGate (researchgate.net)
YouTube (youtube.com)
X/Twitter (x.com)