Skip to content

ex-trans movement

Helena Kerschner is a conservative American “ex-transgender” activist. Kerschner is part of Pique Resilience Project, an anti-transgender group that includes Chiara Caignon-Lewis, Dagny Walton, and Kerschner’s ex-lover Jesse Hinty.

Kerschner works for anti-trans hate group Genspect.

Background

Helena Elise Kerschner was born July 24, 1998 in northern Kentucky and grew up in the Cincinnati area. Kerschner’s parent Magdalena E Kerschner (born 1960) is a physician who ran a pain clinic. Kerschner’s parent William P. “Will” Kerschner (born 1959) was an executive at a large consumer goods company. Both are retired.

Kerschner had a childhood of immense privilege and was involved in figure skating and other expensive hobbies like horse riding. As a teen, Kerschner was a compulsive Tumblr user:

[…] By the time I was thirteen, I was isolating myself, self-harming, and had developed an eating disorder. In eighth grade, I lost touch with most of my school friends, and was too self-conscious and preoccupied with my eating disorder to put myself out there again. I started skipping school, spending lunch in the bathroom, and in general just keeping my head down, trying to get through the day unnoticed.

[…] When I was fifteen, I was introduced to gender ideology on Tumblr and began to call myself nonbinary. Over the next few years, I would continue to go deeper and deeper down the trans identity rabbit hole, and by the time I was eighteen, I saw myself as a “trans man”, otherwise known as “FtM”. Shortly after my eighteenth birthday, I made an appointment at a Planned Parenthood to begin a testosterone regimen. At my first appointment, I was prescribed testosterone, and I would remain on this regimen for a year and a half. It had an extremely negative effect on my mental health, and I finally admitted what a disaster it had been when I was 19, sometime around February or March 2018. 

[…] Between sharing photos, drawings, and fanfiction, these girls were posting about their lives and going into deep detail about their struggles. Many were social outcasts like me, also struggling with things like self-harm and eating disorders. Finding a community of such like minded people felt amazing, and I quickly began spending nearly every waking moment on Tumblr or messaging some friend I had met on there. If I had any remaining motivation to integrate myself into real life, I lost that here. 

Kerschner (2022)

Kershner became sexually attracted to and obsessed with boyish pop culture figures like Elvis and Justin Bieber. Kershner eventually wanted to embody them. This erotic interest in masculinization was not well documented prior to LiveJournal, Tumblr, the “shipping” phenomenon, and anime fandoms frequented by fujoshi {“rotten girl”) obsessives.

Kerschner met Hinty via tumblr, and they eventually lived together. Kerschner started hormones as an adult on August 15, 2016. According to an interview with Daily Wire, Kerschner’s new name was Vincent Lucas “Vin” Jaszczak. Jaszczak was a family name.

While most people who make additional changes in gender identity or expression remain supportive of the process, some choose to get money and attention by joining the ex-trans movement. According to friends, Kerschner was drawn into alt-right ideologies via toxic online communities including now-banned subreddits like r/The_Donald and r/GenderCritical.

I finally bit the bullet and looked into radical feminism. This happened because during a suicidal mental break down, I went to the only community online that I had found supported detransitioned people (the trans community often demonizes and erases us), which was r/GenderCritical on Reddit. I was met with an overflow of love and support, and they showed me that radfems are not the monsters the trans tumblr community makes us out to be. Though their politics were extremely shocking to me, someone who spent the last 5 years intensely believing in genderist ideology, after a while things started making sense and I realized just how horrible trans ideology is, and how it nearly destroyed my life.

With the help of radical feminism, which has taught me an immense level of self respect, I am slowly crawling out of rock bottom.

Kerschner soon became fixated on alt-right figures like Ben Shapiro and Tucker Carlson in ways that mirror previous fascinations with Elvis and Justin Bieber.

Kerschner has spoken at a number of anti-transgender events and has appeared on fascist and conservative media outlets, including interviews with Tucker Carlson, Benjamin Boyce, Alex Kaschuta, Keri Smith, Gender Dysphoria Alliance, Tim Pool, The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network, Jennifer Lahl, Michael Laidlaw, Colin Wright, Preston Sprinkle, Carole Hooven, Rod Dreher, Michael Knowles, and Ben Shapiro.

Kerschner testified in support of Ohio legislation HB 454, the “Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE)” Act. Kerschner also works extensively behind the scenes with Denise Caignon, owner of anti-trans site 4thWaveNow.

Kerschner announced a step back from ex-trans activism in February 2023.

Coverage in anti-trans media

Doak, Emile (Sep 9, 2024). Resist the Cult. [review of Detrans: True Stories of Escaping the Gender Ideology Cult, by Mary Margaret Olohan, Regnery]. The American Conservative https://www.theamericanconservative.com/resist-the-cult/

Cuomo, Andrew (December 15, 2022). 3 teens who thought they were trans explain why they detransitioned. NewsNation https://www.newsnationnow.com/lgbtq/3-teens-who-thought-they-were-trans-explain-why-they-detransitioned/

Kamman, Samantha (September 12, 2022). Detransitioners share regrets, speak out against body mutilation in ‘Transgressive’ documentary. The Christian Post https://www.christianpost.com/news/detransitioners-share-regrets-speak-out-in-documentary.html

Olohan, Mary Margaret (July 25, 2022). Catholic Chicago Hospital Chose Ideology Over Biology In Treating Biological Girl Who Believed She Was Male, De-Transitioner Says. Daily Wire https://www.dailywire.com/news/catholic-chicago-hospital-chose-ideology-over-biology-in-treating-biological-girl-who-believed-she-was-male-de-transitioner-says

Showalter, Brandon (July 13, 2022). ‘There’s a lot of money to be made’: Detransitioners blast doctors they blame for maimed bodies. The Christian Post https://www.christianpost.com/news/detransitioners-blast-doctors-they-blame-for-maimed-bodies.html

Schlott, Rikki (June 18, 2022). ‘I literally lost organs:’ Why detransitioned teens regret changing genders. New York Post https://nypost.com/2022/06/18/detransitioned-teens-explain-why-they-regret-changing-genders/

Staff report (May 11, 2022). Detransitioner: ‘The internet influences young people to believe they are trans.’ The Christian Institute https://www.christian.org.uk/news/detransitioner-the-internet-influences-young-people-to-believe-they-are-trans/

Kamman, Samantha (May 6, 2022). Detransitioner says Planned Parenthood gave her max dose of male hormones, led to hospitalization. The Christian Post https://www.christianpost.com/news/planned-parenthood-gave-gender-confused-teen-max-dose-of-cross-sex-hormones.html

Jackson, Mary (April 21, 2022). Web of deception: The “fake reality” and peer contagion of the internet are leading many teen girls into transgenderism. World https://wng.org/articles/web-of-deception-1650419703

Gentles, Ginny (April 20, 2022). Helena Kerschner Wants to Protect Children from Medical Malpractice. Independent Women’s Forum https://www.iwf.org/2022/04/20/helena-kerschner-wants-to-protect-children-from-medical-malpractice/

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

Ault, Alicia (March 14, 2022). Doctors Have Failed Them, Say Those With Transgender Regret. Medscape News https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/970223

Selected writing by Kerschner

Kerschner, Helena (February 23, 2023). Another Update. Substack https://lacroicsz.substack.com/p/another-update

Kerschner, Helena (2023). Testimony of Helena Kerschner to Kentucky Legislature. https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/CommitteeDocuments/362/22848/03%2014%202023%20General%20Testimony.pdf

Kerschner, Helena (February 19, 2022). By Any Other Name: The story of my transition and detransition. Substack https://lacroicsz.substack.com/p/by-any-other-name

Kerschner, Helena (May 19, 2022). Proponent: HB 454 Banning affirming care for minors (The SAFE Act). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P58fW6Lb7Wo

“Fortunately, I was not on [testosterone] long enough to suffer long-term physical effects…”

Equality Ohio (May 2022). HB454 https://equalityohio.org/legislation/the-safe-act/

Kerschner, Helena (August 5, 2020). At What Cost? Trans Healthcare, Manipulated Data, and Self-Appointed Saviors. Medium https://medium.com/@helenakerschner/at-what-cost-trans-healthcare-manipulated-data-and-self-appointed-saviors-dc81c4be7ae2

  • republished at New Discourses August 6: https://newdiscourses.com/2020/08/trans-healthcare-manipulated-data-self-appointed-saviors/

Kerschner, Helena (July 23, 2020). Advice Column Introduction. Medium https://medium.com/@helenakerschner/advice-column-introduction-a8ea2027ce13

Kerschner, Helena (March 20, 2019). Tumblr — A Call-Out Post. 4thWaveNow https://4thwavenow.com/2019/03/20/tumblr-a-call-out-post/

Media

Timcast with Tim Pool and Helena Kerschner (May 3, 2022). Timcast IRL – Left Promotes HORSE MEDICINE To Give Abortions, Call For REVOLUTION w/Helena Kerschner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZBbwjOsBbc

Fox News with Tucker Carlson and Helena Kerschner (April 18, 2022). 23-year-old woman to Tucker: I regret transitioning as a teen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibq3ld087Y4

Ben Shapiro with Helena Kerschner (April 28, 2022). Former Transgender Teenager Shares POWERFUL Story About Going In and Out of Transgenderism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwVyozpWWAU

Michael Knowles with Helena Kerschner (March 25, 2022). A Story Of Detransitioning | Michael Knowles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HbPzJy9gkY

THINQ Media (April 25, 2021). My Story of Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria | Helena Kerschner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjOmko-9hSg

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce, Sasha Ayad, and Helena Kerschner (Aug 15, 2020). Sasha & Helena Stream. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwoKpmGZd8s

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce and Helena Kerschner (August 2, 2020). helena, the problematic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2HYucdoUuk

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce and Helena Kerschner (March 2019). Detrans Retrospective: Helena Kerschner, 2019. [reposted April 4, 2024] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK11Suo-alI

Resources

Substack (substack.com)

Reddit (reddit.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Medium (medium.com)

Spotify (spotify.com)

Duolingo (duolingo.com)

Tumblr (tumblr.com)

Twitter

Discord

  • posts under many names including “slavic steppe wife”

Instagram (instagram.com)

Snapchat (snapchat.com)

  • parscilla [deleted]

Curious Cat (curiouscat.me)

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

The Pique Resilience Project (PRP) is an “ex-transgender” organization created by four ex-trans activists:

  • Chiara Caignon-Lewis (no medical transition steps)
  • Jesse Hinty (hormones as an adult for about 1 year, no surgical steps)
  • Helena Kerschner (hormones as an adult for about 1.5 years, no surgical steps)
  • Dagny Walton (hormones “six months before turning 18” for about 2 years, no surgical steps)

Members of the group have spoken at anti-transgender events and maintained a website and since-deleted YouTube channel. Members also traveled to Washington, DC to lobby lawmakers and had a meeting with a member of the APA.

Group members have appeared on anti-trans and conservative media outlets, including interviews with Tucker Carlson, Benjamin Boyce, Alex Kaschuta, Keri Smith, Gender Dysphoria Alliance, Tim Pool, The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network, Jennifer Lahl, Michael Laidlaw, Colin Wright, Preston Sprinkle, Carole Hooven, Rod Dreher, Michael Knowles, and Ben Shapiro.

Members have also testified against trans-supportive legislation in addition to working behind the scenes with Denise Caignon, owner of anti-trans site 4thWaveNow and parent of Chiara Caignon-Lewis.

The group disbanded in 2020 after Hinty and Kerschner ended their long-term romantic relationship.

Resources

Pique Resilience Project (piqueresproject.com)

X/Twitter (x.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Women’s Liberation Front (WoLF)

  • Gender Hurts Panel with Sheila Jeffreys
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdEVpW88A4k

Chiara Caignon-Lewis is an American “ex-transgender” activist and a founder of ex-trans website Pique Resilience Project. Anti-trans activism is a family business: Chiara’s parent Denise Caignon is also heavily involved in anti-transgender extremism as owner of the website 4thWaveNow.

Aliases include:

  • “Chiara Canaan”
  • “Rachel Miller”

Caignon-Lewis claims the transgender rights movement is “nothing more than misogyny disguised as progressive feminism.”

Background

Chiara Lucia Marie Caignon-Lewis was born August 21, 1997 in Santa Cruz, California to Denise Caignon and Tim Lewis. Caignon-Lewis stated, “I was dysphoric because my father sexually abused me as a child” and because of “my internalized homophobia.”

Denise and Chiara Caignon-Lewis moved to North Carolina. In 2013, at age 16, Caignon-Lewis became an ordained youth minister, then came out as transgender shortly after turning 17. Caignon-Lewis had already come out as lesbian and was dating as one, but an incident at school resulted in few friends in real life. Caignon-Lewis turned to online communities, claiming that popular trans users on Tumblr and YouTube led to a multi-year obsession with transition:

Had I not been exposed to the cultish mindset of Tumblr’s transactivists at a vulnerable phase of my life, I would not have become absorbed by a desire to permanently change my body.

Caignon-Lewis’ coming out involved texting a link to a gender clinic with no other details. Being forbidden to take medical transition steps caused Caignon-Lewis to have many family fights. At the height of the fighting, Denise Caignon got heavily involved with posting anti-transgender materials online at 4thWaveNow and elsewhere.

In 2015, Caignon-Lewis graduated from Chapel Hill High School and was sent to a Florida horse farm for nine months. Caignon-Lewis says the desire to transition subsided after that without taking any legal or medical steps. Denise and Chiara have since teamed up to be the most high-profile family in the modern ex-trans movement.

Caignon-Lewis sometimes performs music locally and has had a string of service jobs in the Triangle area, including at insightsoftware, bartaco, Orangetheory Fitness, Stoney River Steakhouse, Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, and Hawthorne & Wood.

Caignon-Lewis has been riding horses since age two, got a Selle Français cross mare named Tupelo Honey in 2011, and has been involved in competitive jumping and dressage with Honey in North Carolina and at FenRidge Farm in Florida. A self-described “huge horse nerd,” Caignon-Lewis was active on several online platforms, posting about horses and dressage in addition to identity issues (most of which was deleted). Since 2016, Caignon-Lewis has operated a part-time business called Novation Sporthorse, offering training, lessons, and marketing of sales horses.

Caignon-Lewis and three other ex-trans activists created the Pique Resilience Project in 2019 and disbanded in 2020, allegedly because two of the members stopped dating each other.

References

Kennedy, Dana (May 11, 2022). Anguished parents of trans kids fight back against ‘gender cult’ trying to silence them. New York Post https://nypost.com/2022/05/11/meet-the-parents-of-trans-kids-fighting-gender-cult/

“Williams, Grace” (February 27, 2019). A grand conspiracy to tell the truth: An interview with 4thWaveNow founder & her daughter Chiara of the Pique Resilience Project. 4thWaveNow https://4thwavenow.com/2019/02/27/a-grand-conspiracy-to-tell-the-truth-an-interview-with-4thwavenow-founder-her-daughter-chiara-of-the-pique-resilience-project/

[McCann, Charlie] (September 1, 2018). Why are so many teenage girls appearing in gender clinics? The Economist https://www.economist.com/united-states/2018/09/01/why-are-so-many-teenage-girls-appearing-in-gender-clinics

  • Canaan, Chiara (2018). [response to Economist piece] https://chiaracanaan.tumblr.com/post/177791904093/why-are-so-many-teenage-girls-appearing-in-gender: “I was interviewed for this magazine recently (I’m “Rachel”), and have been pleasantly surprised at the positive response so far. I was dysphoric because my father sexually abused me as a child until I learned to associate womanhood with fear and shame, and I was dysphoric because I am a lesbian, but my internalized homophobia jumped at the option of being a straight man instead. Had I not been exposed to the cultish mindset of Tumblr’s transactivists at a vulnerable phase of my life, I would not have become absorbed by a desire to permanently change my body.”

Buddhist Peace Fellowship (1997). Turning Wheel. “Born on August 21, to TW associate editor Denise Caignon and her husband Tim Lewis: Chiara Lucia (Clear Light!)”

Media appearances

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce and Chiara Caignon-Lewis (August 14, 2020). Detrans Stories: Taking the Reins | with Chiara. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B05NuuduPro

Pique Resilience Project (September 27, 2019). Dagny & Helena Interview Chiara. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQPQ191LbSQ [deleted]

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce and Chiara Caignon-Lewis (February 22, 2019). Detransition & Self Acceptance | with Chiara. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fCOVjhZ3VI

Resources

Open Ministry (oministry.com)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

Pique Resilience Project (piqueresproject.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

X/Twitter (x.com)

Tumblr (tumblr.com)

Reverb Nation (reverbnation.com)

WordPress (wordpress.com)

Soundcloud (soundcloud.com)

Quora (quora.com)

Myspace (myspace.com)

Pinterest (pinterest.com)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

Novation Sporthorse (novationsporthorse.com) [not archived]

YouTube (youtube.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

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

Parents of ROGD Kids (PROGDK) is an anti-transgender front group for unsupportive parents of trans and gender-diverse children. It promotes the controversial concept “rapid-onset gender dysphoria” (ROGD).

Using tactics developed by anti-abortion activists, the group organizes clinic protests at children’s hospitals that support gender diverse youth.

Background

PROGDK was created in the fall of 2017, and the website launched in December. Two key people listed are “Suzanna Diaz,” aka Monica Hegmann, and “Janine MacLean,” who is listed as media consultant. Since launching, their organization has grown to “over 2,300 parents.” The majority of parents come from the US (74%), and they have affiliate groups in Canada, the UK, Australia/NZ, Scandinavia and Germany.”

According to their website:

“Parents of ROGD Kids was created by two mothers with teenage daughters who suddenly decided they were transgender without any prior history of gender dysphoria, but with long histories of mental health issues. They were skeptical of the affirmative model. It just didn’t seem to fit in their child’s case, yet everywhere they went, they were told to affirm their children. These mothers felt isolated, intimidated and terrified for their daughters.

They met online in a group of like-minded mothers. Eventually, the group arranged a secret meeting somewhere in the US. It had to be secret to avoid angry trans-rights activists. It was such a relief to find others in the same situation, and so empowering to know they were not alone, that they decided to create Parents of ROGD Kids, so that no other parent would ever have to feel so isolated and alone.

Their primary goal is to support the work of four anti-transgender psychologists:

They maintain a private online support group.

Background on “ROGD” and 2018 Littman paper

In 2016, Lisa Marchiano posted notices to three anti-trans blogs (4thWaveNowTransgender Trend, and Marchiano’s own Youth TransCritical Professionals) seeking survey respondents who believed they had observed “a sudden or rapid development of gender dysphoria” in young people. This new disease model was then workshopped and developed on forums for anti-trans activists, especially unaccepting parents of gender diverse children.

In 2018, Lisa Littman published a paper about “rapid onset gender dysphoria” that was later republished with corrections following significant negative response from clinicians and from the trans community. Littman’s “ROGD” paper has been widely criticized for its methodological limitations, biased sample, inadequate conceptual framing, lack of ethical safeguards, and potential to harm transgender youth by undermining affirming care. The broader consensus in both academia and clinical practice is that the “ROGD” hypothesis lacks credible scientific basis and is not recognized as a legitimate diagnosis.

In 2019, Diaz, using the pseudonym “Frances Mallory,” published a report in anti-trans publication Post Millennial about a secret meeting of anti-trans parents:

“One of the highlights of the meeting came when Dr. Michael Bailey, a leading authority on gender dysphoria, skyped in to speak with us. He listened to our stories with interest and compassion, then assured us that our children did not fit into the traditional categories of gender dysphoria, which have been recognized and well-studied for many years. Rather, they were exhibiting a new kind of gender dysphoria that had never been seen before. Researchers had dubbed it Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD), and it is so new that it has never been properly studied. Since the meeting described in this article, Dr. Lisa Littman has published the first ever study on Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria. Dr. Michael Bailey is working with Parents of ROGD Kids to publish another study which corroborates Dr. Littman’s findings.”

2019 anti-trans resource guide for parents

In 2019, PRODGK teamed up with anti-trans groups American College of PediatriciansMinnesota Family CouncilFamily Policy AllianceThe Heritage FoundationWoLF, and The Kelsey Coalition to publish an anti-trans “gender resource guide.”

2023 “ROGD” paper

In 2023, the Archives of Sexual Behavior published the latest in its 50 years of academic attacks on trans and gender diverse youth. The first author is “Suzanna Diaz,” one of several aliases used by Monica Hegmann. The second author is anti-trans extremist J. Michael Bailey.

The International Academy of Sex Research (IASR) opened an investigation into how the “Diaz”/Bailey paper was published. IASR President Meredith Chivers announced the investigation, angering Bailey, who was Chivers’ dissertation advisor.

The journal’s publisher, Springer, added a note to the article:

10 May 2023 Publisher’s Note: readers are alerted that concerns have been raised regarding methodology as described in this article. The publisher is currently investigating this matter and a further response will follow the conclusion of this investigation.

Fired sexologist Kenneth Zucker, Archives‘ longtime editor, was defended by anti-trans organization Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism in an open letter.

References

Serano, Julia (May 31, 2023). Understanding the Anti-Trans Parent Movement. Medium https://juliaserano.medium.com/understanding-the-anti-trans-parent-movement-90d126de1fc9

McCall, Becky (September 13, 2018). ‘Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria’ in Adolescents Stirs Debate. Medscape https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/901951 [archive: 123]

Coverage in anti-trans press

“Mallory, Frances” [Monica Hegmann] (April 11, 2019). Parents with gender dysphoric kids are fighting back. Post Millennial https://thepostmillennial.com/parents-with-gender-dysphoric-kids-are-fighting-back

Parents of ROGD Kids (September 19, 2018). Parents of ROGD Kids Organization Supports Dr. Littman’s Findings and Calls for Action. https://www.parentsofrogdkids.com/press-releases/2018/9/19/parents-of-rogd-kids-organization-supports-dr-littmans-findings-and-calls-for-action

Littman, Lisa (August 16, 2018). Rapid-onset gender dysphoria in adolescents and young adults: A study of parental reports. PLOS One https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202330

Media

Gender: A Wider Lens with Stella O’MalleySasha Ayad, and J. Michael Bailey (July 12, 2023). Follow-Up Episode: 116 Part II – Retraction w/ Dr. Michael Bailey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v8Tw93s2T0

Gender: A Wider Lens with Stella O’MalleySasha Ayad, and J. Michael Bailey (June 2, 2023). EP 116 — Identity Politics vs. The Pursuit of Knowledge with Dr. Michael Bailey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHqDGVRzoGk

Joey Brite and Erin Brewer (September 21, 2020). Can I Get a Witness conference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKWqWqOv9yg

DocAmitay with “Suzanna” (March 21, 2018). The Harmful Reality Behind Trans Ideology That No One Wants to Admit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KsfAljD2Oc

DocAmitay with “Suzanna” (February 25, 2018). This Mom of an ROGD Kid Schools the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Ontario. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbaCYgCC5-o

Resources

Trans Data Library (transdatalibrary.org)

Parents of ROGD Kids (parentsofrogdkids.com)

X/Twitter (x.com)

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

Background

Chloe Elise Brockman was born July 27, 2004.

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

Chloe Brockman has four adult siblings: Jacob, Chelsea, Maddie, and Calvin. They are a blended family. Chloe Brockman grew up in Manteca, California. As a child, Brockman had two cleft palate repair surgeries.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2022

February: Creates Twitter account ChoooCole

April: Creates Twitter account puddingpandan

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

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

May: Testifies against gender-affirming care in Ohio

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

July: Turns 18

July: Testifies against Medicaid coverage for trans healthcare in Florida

July 13: Registers imperfectlyme.org

July 15: Creates GoFundMe

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

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

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

September 28: Interview with David Freiheit of Viva Frei

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

October 21: Creates Instagram account chooocole

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

October 8: starts a YouTube channel and interviews other ex-trans activists, including Katie Anderson, Layla Jane, Jade Martin, Maia Poet, and Luke Healy. Cole also posts speeches from rallies, testimony against gender affirming care for minors, and attacking trans-supportive public figures like John Oliver and Neil Degrasse Tyson.

October 27: Preaches at Godspeak Cavalry Chapel

November 9: Announces notice of intent to sue

November 11: Interview with Tucker Carlson

November 17: Interview with Tulsi Gabbard

December 12: Interview with Rita Panahi of Sky News Australia

December 22: Interview with Marissa Streit of PragerU

December 22: Interview with Glenn Beck

2023

January 2: Interview with Jordan Peterson

January 6: Interview with Drea Humphrey of Rebel News

January 12: Profile on The Daily Signal

January 12: Interview with Kevin Roberts for The Heritage Foundation

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

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

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

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

February 6: Interview with Megyn Kelly

February 6: Profile on Independent Women’s Forum

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

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

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

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

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

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

March 28: Interview with Charlie Kirk and Jack Posobiec

April 17: Appears at Dartmouth Republicans event in New Hampshire

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

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

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

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

2023 lawsuit

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

Plaintiff

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

Defendants

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

Brockman’s lawyers

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

The lawyers claim Brockman has had these conditions:

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

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

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

References

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Resources

Chloe Cole (chooocole.com) [parked]

Twitter (twitter.com)

GoFundMe (gofundme.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Young America’s Foundation (yaf.org)

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

Background

Abigail Mosley was born February 14, 1998. Mosley’s parents are Christine Ann Bourgeois-Mosley (born 1968) and Mark Stephen Mosley (born 1962).

Mosley claims to have had “rapid onset gender dysphoria” at 12. Mosley was sexually assaulted at age 14 or 15 (versions differ).

According to Kelsey Bolar at Epoch Times:

Mosley’s parents were both against her “transitioning” as a minor. But because her mother suffered from alcoholism and her own history of mental illness, Mosley “threw away” much of what her mother said. Her father wasn’t sure what to do. Mosley describes him as having a “prove it attitude.” He told Mosley to make her own appointments and see what the professionals recommended.

Mosley then took numerous steps without parental assistance. Mosley socially transitioned in 2013, then over the next two years convinced each parent to consent to medical transition steps. Mosley began hormones at 17, in 2015.

Mosley began using the name Charlie Samael Mosley. As an adult, Mosley chose to get top surgery, in 2016. In 2017, Mosley was allegedly “lured to Florida” by trans peers and got engaged to a trans person, but they later broke up.

Mosley moved to Michigan to attend Ferris State University.

Mosley stopped taking hormones in 2022 and began fundraising for breast reconstruction, but ended up using the money for other things. According to Bolar:

After detransitioning in Florida and leaving an unhealthy relationship she was in with another individual who identified as transgender, Mosley moved to Big Rapids, Michigan, to pursue a job at a local dispensary. It was supposed to be a relaxed environment, but she said she got fired for crying every day. Mosley has since started school but can only take courses online because she doesn’t feel comfortable being seen.

Anti-transgender activism

On October 2, 2022, Mosley posted a YouTube video originally titled “I ruined my life.” In it Mosley claims that “some people in the trans community, and the transmedicalists, and the doctors really really target the most vulnerable of us.”

In that vulnerable state Mosley was then targeted and groomed by conservative and fascist activists. They showered Mosley with money and attention. Because regret is so rare, Mosley got flown around the country to testify against healthcare for trans and gender diverse minors in states where Mosley does not live:

  • Louisiana HB463
  • Ohio SB68
  • Texas HB 1686
  • South Carolina
  • Texas SB14
  • Indiana SB480
  • Florida Board of Medicine

Mosley is heavily invested in metaphors of disease and impairment, identifying as disabled and diseased (mentally ill). This is a kind of attention-seeking behavior.

Mosley’s alleged diseases and health problems include:

  • anorexia (cured)
  • transgender (cured)
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • borderline personality disorder (BPD)
  • “psychosis”
  • “delusions”
  • “permanent damage to my back and ribs”
  • “severe vaginal atrophy”
  • “painful genitals so severe I can no longer use tampons”
  • “never had a normal period”
  • “chronic pain”
  • “I live in a painful body that no longer belongs to me”
  • muscle and fat redistribution left me with “constant burning pain”
  • “hurts to hold myself up”
  • “clumsiness”
  • “my chest is numb except for the occasional zapping pain”
  • “joint pain for the rest of my life”
  • “my back and joints ache constantly”
  • “lost the ability to sing”
  • “painful to speak for long periods”
  • “most likely infertile”
  • “large painful shoulders”
  • “I’m no longer able to regulate my own hormones”
  • “pain tolerance is lower”
  • “overgrown heart”
  • “increased risk for heart attack and stroke”
  • “doctors have abandoned me”
  • “doctors blackmailed my parents”
  • “missing pieces of my nipples”
  • need “at least three more traumatizing surgeries”
  • “I will never be able to feed my children”

Mosley does not seem to take much personal responsibility for these life choices, especially those made as an adult. Until there is some personal responsibility taken, Mosley is doomed to remain a miserable victim cultist.

Jordan Campbell, Ron Miller, Josh Payne, and Daniel Sepulveda are the founders of Campbell Miller Payne, PLLC (CMP), a firm focused on suing providers of trans health services. They and Envisage Law in Raleigh are representing Mosley in litigation against the people who tried to help Mosley, and CMP also represents ex-trans litigant Soren Aldaco in Texas.

References

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

Schlott, Rikki (March 15, 2023). ‘Afraid of a life I hadn’t tasted’: Why trans male is back to being a woman. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/03/15/why-teen-girl-who-became-a-trans-man-is-now-a-woman-again/

Bolar, Kelsey (November 30, 2022). Mentally Ill Teen Betrayed by Health Professionals Who Recommended Testosterone and ‘Top Surgery.’ Epoch Times https://www.theepochtimes.com/mentally-ill-teen-betrayed-by-health-professionals-who-recommended-testosterone-and-top-surgery_4895309.html https://www.iwf.org/identity-crisis-prisha/

Resources

GoFundMe (gofundme.com)

Twitter (twitter.com)

GiveSendGo (givesendgo.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

TikTok (tiktok.com)

NGL (ngl.link)

Camille Kiefel is an American “ex-transgender” activist. Kiefel gets money and attention by making it harder for others to get trans healthcare.

Background

Kiefel identified as nonbinary and medically transitioned as an adult.

Kiefel is heavily invested in metaphors of disease and impairment as identity and reportedly has the following problems:

  • CPTSD
  • major depressive disorder
  • ADHD
  • generalized anxiety disorder
  • suicidal ideation

Anti-trans activism

In 2022 Kiefel announced a lawsuit against the healthcare providers who tried to help. Keifel filed another case in 2024.

Kiefel is listed as principal of Detrans Help, a nonprofit founded in 2023.

Kiefel has made the rounds on conservative and fascist media promoting the ex-trans movement.

References

Reed, Erin (November 2, 2023). “Everyone Should Become Catholic”—PragerU $1 Million #DETRANS Ad Echoes Ex-Gays. Erin in the Morning https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/everyone-should-become-catholicprageru

Jackson, Daniel; Knoll, James L. (July 12, 2023). Trauma and Transition Trajectories: The Risk of Caenisian Reversion. Psychiatric Times https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/trauma-and-transition-trajectories-the-risk-of-caenisian-reversion

Michels, Holly (January 27, 2023). 5-hour hearing shows emotional debate over bill to block gender care for trans minors. Independent Record https://helenair.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/5-hour-hearing-shows-emotional-debate-over-bill-to-block-gender-care-for-trans-minors/article_8b65c48b-124e-5900-b4e5-982021691545.html

Carnahan, Ashley (December 21, 2022). Detransitioner shares emotional story on why she’s suing doctors who performed double mastectomy. Tucker Carlson Tonight https://www.foxnews.com/media/detransitioner-shares-emotional-story-shes-suing-doctors-performed-double-mastectomy

Schlott, Rikki (December 3, 2022). Detransitioner: ‘I’m suing the doctors who removed my healthy breasts.’ New York Post https://nypost.com/2022/12/03/detransitioner-im-suing-the-doctors-who-removed-my-healthy-breasts/

Goldsberry, Jenny (December 3, 2022). Detransitioner who had breasts removed says she is suing doctors who approved surgery. Washington Examiner https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/fairness-justice/former-nonbinary-patient-sues-social-worker-therapist

“Buttons, Christina” (November 18, 2022). Detransitioner Announces Lawsuit Against Oregon Gender Clinics For Expediting Surgery. The Daily Wire https://www.dailywire.com/news/detransitioner-announces-lawsuit-against-oregon-gender-clinics-for-expediting-surgery

Hathaway, Candace (November 18, 2022). Detransitioner sues Oregon gender clinics for ‘abhorrent misdiagnosis’ that ‘mutilated’ her body. The Blaze https://www.theblaze.com/news/detransitioner-sues-oregon-gender-clinics

Elmore, Erin (November 8, 2022). Oregon Woman Sues Gender Transition Care Providers over Rushed Treatment that caused ‘Irreversible’ Damage. Turning Point USA https://www.tpusa.com/live/oregon-woman-sues-gender-transition-care-providers-over-rushed-treatment-that-caused-irreversible-damage

Reinl, James (November 7, 2022). Oregon Woman Sues Carers for green-lighting double mastectomy. Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11399015/Oregon-woman-sues-trans-care-team-abhorrent-misdiagnosis-left-MUTILATED.html

Selected writing by Kiefel

Kiefel, Camille (July 31, 2023). I Was Nonbinary. Now I Help Detransitioners. Newsweek https://www.newsweek.com/nonbinary-surgery-breast-removal-detransitioning-1816309

Media

Benjamin A. Boyce (January 24, 2023). “Health Care” (Minus Health, Care) | a Detrans Story with Camille Kiefel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW9s-UvOgog

Brently Kopopolous and Daniel de la Fé (January 20, 2023). Dangerous Rhetoric 99: Camille Kiefel Dangerous Rhetoric https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTjzPkUa-VI

Michael Ballantine (January 19, 2023). Detransitioner Camille Kiefel, Permanently Damaged By Lies. Woke Uphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtTC_A4oswA

Kallie Fell (Mar 14, 2023). Venus Rising with Camille: I Regret My Top Surgery. The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j2171JpQQM

Kallie Fell (May 23, 2023). Venus Rising with Camille Part 2. The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c75FqCjHBWA

Buck Angel (June 15, 2022). Detransitioner: “I Regret Cutting Off My Breasts” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ogs-0onakU

Erin Brewer (October 9, 2022). Detransition: The Importance of Physical Health https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Uyo-pR5iUc

Resources

Camille Kiefel (camillekiefel.com)

Cut: Daughters of the West – Alteration & Exploitation of Children is an anti-transgender 2023 film about the ex-transgender movement, with a focus on gender affirming surgery for youth.

Background

The film premiered on April 15th in Phoenix, Arizona as a fundraiser for The Gavel Project, an “anti-woke” non-profit moving from fighting COVID policies to fighting “gender affirmation policies in schools (e.g., policies promoting the sexualization of our children, including hormone therapies and reassignment surgeries for children).”

Synopsis

According to Esler:

Cut explores the impact of the current transgender craze on girls by diving into the history of plastic surgery. […] The film investigates the moral and cultural precursors that have enabled transgender ideology to thrive. Before the rise in puberty blockers, hormone therapy and double mastectomies, there was an exponential increase in teenage girls seeking breast augmentations and labiaplasties. Cosmetic surgery, and feminist icons flaunting sexual liberation, handed girls the power to permanently alter their bodies, based on trends and self diagnosis. Now, pre-teens have spiralled into a mental health crisis that coincides perfectly with the introduction of smartphones, social media and gender theory. Is this the cultural and historical legacy we have handed to girls on the precipice of womanhood. Filmmaker Simon Esler weaves the voices of experts, outspoken citizens and detransitioners into a cultural fever dream that asks: What has happened to the daughters of the West?

People

Production/Crew

  • Simon Esler (writer-director)

Interviews

Blurbed by

  • Scott Armstrong
  • Landon Starbuck
  • Justin Deschamps

Recommended organizations

  • MOM Army
  • The Truthful Therapist
  • The Gavel Project
  • Parents of ROGD kids
  • Thoughtful Therapists
  • Genspect
  • Gender Dysphoria Support Network
  • Advocates Protecting Children
  • Partners for Ethical Care
  • Gender Dissent (in Canada)
  • Gender Dysphoria Alliance
  • Our Duty
  • Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine
  • Transgender Trend (UK)
  • Sex Change Regret
  • Conservative Therapy Directory
  • Jackson Bone Law
  • Detrans United
  • 4th Wave Now
  • Gender Health Query
  • GETA Gender Exploratory Therapy Association
  • TReVoices
  • Parents with Inconvenient Truths about Trans
  • Wait Until 8th

Resources

Cut (daughtersofthewestfilm.com)

IMDb (imdb.com/)

Vimeo (vimeo.com)

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

Background

Garcia was born in 1997. According to Garcia, this is the timeline:

  • 2009 (age 12) began thinking about transition
  • 2015 (age 18) began looking for help to transition and found a therapist, attending sessions for over a year
  • 2016 (age 19) moved out of the family home and began transition
  • 2017 (age 20) legal name and gender change
  • 2018 (age 21)
    • got breast implants; was initially happy, had regrets a few months later
    • turned away from that “lifestyle” following a “salvation from God”
    • began looking for help to “detransition”
  • 2019 (age 22) found a new therapist
  • 2020 (age 23) had implants removed and began socially “detransitioning”
  • 2021 (age 24) planned follow-up surgery to remove unwanted breast tissue

Ex-transgender activism

Since embracing religious conservatism, Garcia is featured in a number of anti-trans projects, including the 2023 film No Way Back.

Garcia has been interviewed by gender critical activists including

  • Erin Brewer
  • Kellie Fell
  • Drew Hernandez
  • Brittany Ortiz

Garcia has been interviewed by other ex-trans activists including:

Garcia has been interviewed anti-trans-front groups including:

Garcia appears in the 2023 anti-trans media piece DETRANS by PragerU.

References

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

Fell, Kelly (Nov 8, 2022). Venus Rising With Detransitioner Abel Garcia. Venus Rising / The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwytvt5bPsA

Cole, Chloe (April 20, 2023). Detransitioner Abel Garcia speaks in ATX on detransitioning as a male. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK_gad4nR0Y

Hernandez, Drew (Nov 2, 2022). DETRANSITIONED: The Abel Garcia Story. FRONTLINES https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXxQ48XbNvE Part Two https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW0XNJPnZ9s

Partners for Ethical Care (Oct 26, 2022). First Do No Harm Unity Rally- Detransitioner Abel Garcia Speaks Out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnkOn0i8LuI

Ortiz, Brittany (January 18, 2022). Abel Garcia: Conversion Therapy and Medical Detransition with Detrans Man. A Slightly Twisted Female https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gROhaA9uHeo

Brewer, Erin (Jul 11, 2022). Transjacked: Abel Garcia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thEXWfLOg5U

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

Resources

Trans Data Library (transdatalibrary.org)

Twitter (twitter.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

Detrans Foundation is a website run by anti-transgender therapists. It is part of the “ex-transgender” movement.

Background

The Detrans Foundation website was founded in April 2022.

Key people

Anti-trans article list

Detrans Foundation’s recommended reading list features many key figures in the ex-trans movement:

  • Terry A Adirim
  • Karleen D. Gribble
  • David A Klein
  • Christina M Roberts
  • Elie Vandenbussche

Resources

Detrans Foundation (detransfoundation.com)