Trans Rights Activists File Complaint Against Gender Dysphoria Study
The Claim
Transgender rights activists filed a complaint against a gender dysphoria study allegedly meant to help them.
News posted on
Emerging story
A writer for The Federalist argued that transgender activists rejected a study meant to "help" them based on ideological reasons. He claimed that, in opposing a study that seeks to understand their community, these activists are actually harming trans people instead of helping them. “Rather than evaluate their views based on what science finds, LGBT activists instead are simply shutting down a study that threatens their beliefs,” he wrote. This article spread on social media.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar's investigation found that on January 28, 2021, the Gender Justice LA and the California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network (CA LGBTQ HHS Network) filed a complaint against UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. The complaint alleges that a study being conducted on transgender individuals is unethical and therefore must be suspended. The study intends to research gender dysphoria and how it affects the brain.
The CA LGBTQ HHS Network says that their objection to the study is not simply driven by ideological reasons; rather, they say that they aim to protect trans people from mental distress. Their letter shows that they believe the study relies upon purposely inflicting gender dysphoria on its subjects. It allegedly does so by showing pictures of subjects’ bodies wearing tight leotards and other clothing. According to the Mayo Clinic and other accredited institutions, gender dysphoria causes major distress, depression, anxiety, and trauma in sufferers. This is not disclosed on the study’s webpage.
The letter also takes issue with the study’s motives, claiming its research suggests a search for a “cure” for being transgender or gender variant, and “re-opens the door for advancing the highly disregarded and dangerous practice of conversion therapy.”
Additionally, the letter from the CA LGBTQ HHS Network does acknowledge the need for ethical scientific research. Their letter includes a statement from their LGBTQ Program Manager Dannie Ceseña, who says, “There is a significant need for research within the TGI [Transgender, Gender-variant, and Intersex] community. However, unethical research practices create distrust among TGI community members and affects their willingness to participate in research. As much as I recognize the need for research to fill the gaps in our access to care, this study will do more harm than good.”
Since transgender activists have filed a complaint against the study, but since the complaint clearly shows that they do not believe the study will help them but rather will harm them, we rate this claim as selective.
