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ex-trans movement

Regret is rare among people who make a gender transition. In 27 studies totaling 7,928 surgery patients, the regret rate was about 1%: “Pooling data from numerous studies demonstrates a regret rate ranging from .3 percent to 3.8 percent. Regrets are most likely to result from a lack of social support after transition or poor surgical outcomes using older techniques.”

A 2024 study from Perth Children’s Hospital in Perth, Australia found low regret rates among minors:

In this cohort study of 548 individuals with closed referrals to a pediatric gender clinic, 29 (5.3%) reportedly reidentified with their birth-registered sex before or during assessment. Two of these individuals reidentified during medical treatment, which corresponds to 1.0% of all patients who initiated medical treatment.

Cavve et al. (2024)

Sometimes a person who makes a change in gender identity or gender expression will make more changes later. That is a key goal of our political movement. You should be able to change your gender identity and expression as often as you want.

There is no shame in questioning your gender and not being sure what to do. As with most big life choices, making a gender transition is a leap of faith, and it is good to look before you leap! No one wants to live a life of regret, whether it is regret about not transitioning sooner, or regret after making a gender transition. The best way to lower the chances of regret is to think carefully about what will give your life fulfillment.

Many people see gender changes on a spectrum. Some people only see them as a binary. You can always transition in any direction, and it is not all or nothing. Every person should feel free to be themselves in their own way. That can change over time. There is no shame in changing your identity or expression more than once. It is not a “failure” to change direction. It is not bad to change your mind. Many of us support you no matter what you choose. We want you to live a life full of purpose and joy. We will fight for your right to be your true self.

Most people who make more gender changes have no regrets about their earlier transition. The choices you make and the actions you take always carry some risk. Some people will feel they made a mistake. It is important not to focus on your mistakes. We all make them, even on big things. When you feel you made a mistake, you have to let it go, forgive yourself and others, and move forward. When you dwell on your mistakes and regret, you are looking backwards to the past.

Being transgender is hard. It is difficult for many people to reach their expectations for transition. They may be dissatisfied with the results or unwanted side effects from medical transition. They may have a hard time moving through the world because of how they look or act. They may have a hard time with acceptance at work, school, or home. It is important to consider the experiences of people who regret transition when deciding what is right for you. Most people who discuss their regrets do so because they want to help others avoid the same regret.

Making more changes

Gender transition is mostly social. All social changes can be changed more than once. All legal changes like name or gender marker can be changed more than once. Many medical changes can be changed more than once. If you undertsand the possible benefits and side effects, it is OK to try hormones or hormone blockers for a little while and stop. Because surgery is a significant step, you need to be very sure before you have surgery. Experts who reviewed 27 studies with a total of 7,928 patients who had surgery found a pooled prevalence of regret of just 1%.

Researchers at Cornell University looked at peer-reviewed studies published between 1991 and 2017:

We identified 55 studies that consist of primary research on this topic, of which 51 (93%) found that gender transition improves the overall well-being of transgender people, while 4 (7%) report mixed or null findings. We found no studies concluding that gender transition causes overall harm. 

What We Know Project (2018)

The ex-transgender movement

Of the estimated 240 million trans and gender diverse people worldwide, there are only a few dozen public ex-trans activists worldwide. Each person in the core group of ex-trans activists in the media is literally one in a million.

Most people who decide to make more gender changes still support transgender people. Some just want to share their stories. They want others to learn from their experiences. Even most people who regret making a gender change feel it should be an option for others.

In rare cases, a person who has regret about a gender transition also decides to get money or attention by joining the “ex-trans” movement, also called “political detransition.” Some work to limit or even end access to trans health services for others. Some even work to take away trans people’s other rights. They usually blame others for their transition instead of taking personal responsibility for their own decisions.

The people they blame can include:

  • Supportive family
  • Supportive friends
  • Supportive educators
  • Supportive transitioners
  • Supportive organizations
  • Supportive strangers
  • Supportive media (especially social media)
  • Supportive therapists
  • Supportive healthcare providers

In other words, they often blame the people who tried to help them.

Political strategy

The ex-trans movement focuses on these controversial concepts:

“Desistance“

  • Typically used for children, this usually means someone who stopped identifying as transgender before taking medical or legal steps.

“Detransition“

  • Typically used for adults, this usually means someone who took social, medical, and/or legal transition steps, then took more steps in another direction later.

Litigation

  • Ex-trans activists often sue healthcare providers to make money and to have a chilling effect on options for our healthcare.

Historic ex-trans activists

Despite their small numbers, ex-trans activists have been a cisgender media fixation for nearly a century. Some notable older “ex-trans” people include:

Ex-trans people often join the movement following a political or religious conversion. For others, they get involved as a form of attention-seeking behavior, or as a way to make money. Beginning in 2021, the fringe ex-trans movement began to get more politically organized through connections with other conservative and fascist movements.

Confirmed ex-trans activists

The following people have engaged in ex-trans activism and have independently confirmed identities. They are ordered by their real surnames, with fake names and handles also listed.

  • KathyGrace Duncan
  • Kasey Emerick / “KC Miller” / “dyke_in_denial”
  • Charlie Evans / charlie_sci / DetransAdv
  • Laura Reynolds
  • Heath Atom Russell
  • Emelie Schmidt / Emmie Schmidt / SullivanStar221 / EmmieS3311 / emelieannes / FaithMckoy69 / faith.mckoy.121 / justl00king0k
  • Laura Perry Smalts
  • Oliver Squire / “Oli London” / “OliLondonTV”
  • Aria Stevens / “Ciel” / “CielNestPasVert” / AriaNefariah
  • Amanda Stewart
  • Daisy Strongin / “Daisy Chadra”
  • Phillip Martine Suarez-Hamilton / “OfTheFutureArt” / “Estella”
  • Miles Yardley

Unconfirmed ex-trans activists

Many alleged ex-trans activists use fake names and usernames, making it impossible to confirm their claims independently. The following people claim online to be ex-trans activists.

General Twitter/X accounts

Media bias

People who express regret are vastly overrepresented in the media. They are often presented the way “ex-gays” used to be presented and are primarily uplifted by conservative and gender critical media figures.

References

Thornton SM, Edalatpour A, Gast KM (2024). A systematic review of patient regret after surgery- A common phenomenon in many specialties but rare within gender-affirmation surgery. The American Journal of Surgery https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.04.021

Reed, Erin (April 26, 2024). Landmark Systematic Review Of Trans Surgery: Regret Rate “Remarkably Low.” Erin in the Morning https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/landmark-systematic-review-of-trans

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

Cavve BS, Bickendorf X, Ball J, Saunders LA, Thomas CS, Strauss P, Chaplyn G, Marion L, Siafarikas A, Ganti U, Wiggins A, Lin A, Moore JK (2024). Reidentification With Birth-Registered Sex in a Western Australian Pediatric Gender Clinic Cohort. JAMA Pediatrics https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.0077

Statista (2023). Share of people identifying as transgender, gender fluid, non-binary, or other ways worldwide as of 2023, by country. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1269778/gender-identity-worldwide-country/ ” three percent of respondents from 30 countries identified themselves as transgender, non-binary/non-conforming/gender-fluid, or in another way. “

What We Know Project, Cornell University (2018). What does the scholarly research say about the effect of gender transition on transgender well-being? (online literature review), 2018. https://whatweknow.inequality.cornell.edu/topics/lgbt-equality/what-does-the-scholarly-research-say-about-the-well-being-of-transgender-people/

We identified 55 studies that consist of primary research on this topic, of which 51 (93%) found that gender transition improves the overall well-being of transgender people, while 4 (7%) report mixed or null findings. We found no studies concluding that gender transition causes overall harm.

Narayan SK, Hontscharuk R, Danker S, Guerriero J, Carter A, Blasdel G, Bluebond-Langner R, Ettner R, Radix A, Schechter L, Berli JU (2021). Guiding the conversation—types of regret after gender-affirming surgery and their associated etiologies. Ann Transl Med 2021;9(7):605. https://doi.org/10.21037/atm-20-6204

-https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HpGRzJ5nc7gecyXUKVRdCeXS1TYXe0w12A7Y9I2JIsE/edit#gid=0

Media

Keffals (April 27, 2022). CRINGING at Incredible DETRANSITIONER grift https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QqS8eaE57U 

Vaush (October 13, 2022) The Detransitioner Grift https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om_a-iSRMjY

Archival resources

sexchangeregret.com [archive]

helpmereversemysexchange.org [archive]

trans-detransition.com [archive]

tradingmysorrows.com [archive]

sexchangeinfo.com [archive]

“Shape Shifter” is the stage name of July R. Carlan, an American accountant and ex-transgender activist who gets money and attention by making it harder for others to get trans healthcare.

Background

July Roxella Carlan was born on July 11, 1990. Carlan had a “consensual” sexual experience at age 11 and came out as gay to unaccepting parents at 16.

At age 22 in graduate school, Carlan learned about nonbinary identities and booked an appointment at Fenway Health in Boston on November 15, 2012. At the initial consultation, Carlan described a pattern of high-risk sexual behavior as well as incidents of anti-LGBT discrimination and assault. Carlan also expressed a desire to become pregnant.

Affter signing an informed consent form on December 27, 2012, Carlan began hormones via Fenway Health. In a follow-up appointment in March 2013, a therapist noted Carlan’s “internalized transphobia,” because Carlan wanted to “be seen as more than a trans woman.”

By mid-December 2013, Carlan reported inconsistent use of hormones in order to regain sexual function and engage in high-risk sexual behavior. In December 2014, Carlan reported:

  • depression and anxiety
  • seeking validation through sex
  • struggles with sexual compulsivity and hopes that GRS will reduce sexual urges
  • did not want to take hormones in order to enjoy sex
  • could not find a job in finance and had “begun a career in strip dancing”

In the first half of 2015, Carlan had multiple therapy sessions and received clearance for bottom surgery.

After getting elective bottom surgery as an adult, Carlan “realized I was just a castrated man.” Carlan has sometimes identified as a “homosexual transsexual,” a term promoted by anti-transgender activists.

On or about May 10, 2022, at age 31, Carlan publicly announced plans to make additional gender changes. Carlan no longer identifies as a trans woman, “but as a gender-non-conforming man.” Carlan reportedly just liked feminine clothing and makeup.

Carlan is a Certified Public Accountant in Massachusetts. Carlan is in a relationship with a “sugar daddy” who is nearly 50 years older. Howard Carlan (born December 6, 1941) goes by “Cat Man” in their videos.

Anti-transgender activism

Carlan has regret about taking some medical gender transition steps and has found an anti-trans audience who wants to amplify these rare cases of regret.

In 2022, Carlan testified against healthcare for trans youth before the Florida Board of Medicine.

In addition to numerous media appearances about regret, Carlan has also been critical of trans athletes and supports misinformation and conspiracy theories about trans healthcare.

In 2022, Carlan launched a YouTube channel featuring videos about transition regret. In 2024, all original content was deleted, and it was converted into an AI slop channel featuring similar content about regret.

Lawsuit

On October 12, 2023, Carlan filed a lawsuit against Fenway Community Health Center. Carlan was repreented by Mitra N Forouhar. On March 28, 2025 Judge Myong J. Joun entered a decision that “Fenway is dismissed from this action.”

On April 2, 2025, Carlan filed an appeal.

References

Staff report (November 13, 2023). MA Lawsuit Claims Trans Medical Care is Gay Conversion Therapy. Assigned Media https://www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-news/ma-lawsuit-trans-care-gay-conversion

Sum News (November 2016). New Members. mscpa.org https://digitaleditions.sheridan.com/publication/?i=355533&p=20&view=issueViewer

Coverage in anti-trans press

LGB Courage Coalition (January 6, 2025). One Way Only: Questioning the Trans Narrative and Breaking Free from a Singular Path to Authenticity. https://lgbcouragecoalition.substack.com/p/one-way-only-questioning-the-trans

Lucia, Gary (November 12, 2023). The ‘gender affirming care’ lawsuits keep coming… Flashing Green https://flashinggreen.substack.com/p/the-gender-affirming-care-lawsuits

Dansky, Kara (November 27, 2023). Some thoughts on a few interesting recent “detransition” lawsuits. https://karadansky.substack.com/p/some-thoughts-on-a-few-interesting

Sapir, Leor; Figliolia, Joseph (November 8, 2023). Medicine with a “Transgender Bias.” City Journal https://www.city-journal.org/article/medicine-with-a-transgender-bias

Genspect (October 18, 2023). Shape Shifter v. Fenway Health: Latest US Detransitioner Court Case Exposes Faults with “Gender-Affirming Care.” https://genspect.org/emerging-court-cases-highlight-critical-issues-in-gender-affirming-healthcare-shape-shifter-v-fenway-health/

Deshpande, Neera (September 13, 2022). Slow-Motion Trans Wreck: The ghastly fad of genital mutilation will end when the lawsuits begin. The American Mind https://americanmind.org/salvo/slow-motion-trans-wreck/

Gordon, James (August 27, 2022). ‘I was brainwashed by the trans community’: Detransitioner reveals he regrets having his penis removed and says woke doctors didn’t warn him of negative consequences because it would be ‘bad for business.’ Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11151433/Detransitioner-says-brainwashed-having-gender-reassignment-surgery-woke-doctors.html

Selected writing by Carlan

“Shape Shifter” [foreword] (2024). Trans to Detrans: a Soul Solution. Saguaro Soul, ISBN 979-8989663125

“Shape Shifter” (June 22, 2022). The Boy Who Shifted Shapes: A Detransitioner’s Story. Reduxx https://reduxx.info/opinion-the-boy-who-shifted-shapes/

Legal case

Justia (April 2, 2025). Carlan v. Fenway Community Health Center, Inc., et al. Case No. 25-1315. https://dockets.justia.com/docket/circuit-courts/ca1/25-1315

Goldstein, Julie Rei (March 31, 2025). “Long Awaited #DeTransLaw Update in the case of July Carlan (aka ShapeShifter): The United States’ Motion to Intervene has been GRANTED which means Fenway Health has been Dismissed from this case. Plaintiff has been granted leave to refile the complaint against the US per FTCA.” https://x.com/JulieRei/status/1906764321771962765

Goldstein, Julie Rei (May 14, 2024). “#DeTransLaw NEWS: US Attorney’s Office has officially substituted Fenway Community Health in July Carlan’s (ShapeShifter) case as they were deemed an officer/employee of the Public Health Service. This is the 3rd case (Ulery and Towe) against GAC Providers where this has occurred.” https://x.com/JulieRei/status/1790441950148968708

Goldstein, Julie Rei (March 11, 2024). “Some #DeTransLaw news: In July Carlan’s case (a.k.a. Shape Shifter), the US Attorney’s offce has asked for a 60 day stay for the Sec of Health & Human Services to determine if Fenway is a “deemed” Public Health Service Employee. The Judge has stayed the case until May 11, 2024.” https://x.com/JulieRei/status/1767296891044438351

Goldstein, Julie Rei (March 5, 2024). “Something I forgot to mention. There’s a stay on the Carlan v. Fenway case until March 12, 2024 when the US Attorney’s Office is directed to file a status report or a response to Defendant Fenways Motion to Dismiss (on or before said date). #DeTransLaw” https://x.com/JulieRei/status/1765160198099112288

Goldstein, Julie Rei (March 3, 2024). “Second piece of #DeTransLaw I missed: July Carlan (aka Shape Shifter) has substituted her counsel of Samuel Blatchely for Ryan McClane who famously went on the right wing media circuit when he unsuccessfuly represented Hunter Harris against UMASS for their COVID vaccine mandate.” https://x.com/JulieRei/status/1764468309838205431

Mitra N. Forouhar (November 2023). Shape Shifter v. Fenway Health. https://mnf-law.com/lawsuits/ pdf: https://mnf-law.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ShapeShifter-v-Fenway.pdf

Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly (November 2023). Carlan v. Fenway Community Health Center, Inc. US District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Case 1:2023cv12361 https://rilawyersweekly.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2023/11/Carlan-v.-Fenway-Community-Health-Center.pdf

Court Listener (October 12, 2023). Carlan v. Fenway Community Health Center, Inc. 1:23-cv-12361, (D. Mass.) https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67878127/carlan-v-fenway-community-health-center-inc/

Media

Daniel Moon (April 6, 2024). Shape Shifter: The DE-TRANS Truth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnOL1Lx_jW4

Cat Cattinson with July Carlan (January 5, 2024). Cat Cattinson feat. Shape Shifter – “Grift $hop” – OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuyHgzPTmb0

Jubilee (April 2, 2023). Should Minors Transition? Detransition vs Trans | Middle Ground. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl0LZZFos-g

Soft White Underbelly (March 23, 2023). Ex (Detransitioning) Trans Woman interview-Shape Shifter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsbtaXqfg1o

Marcus Dib with Arielle Scarcella and July Carlan (Jan 1, 2023). “I Had Bottom Surgery & My Dysphoria Is Still Here” : Male To Female To Male. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGnngC6lWuU

Marcus Dib with Arielle Scarcella and July Carlan (January 1, 2023). Detransitioner: I Regret Losing My P*nis feat. Shape Shifter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2ooaw6OH0c

TT Exulansic with July Carlan (December 20, 2022). Interview: Shapeshifter and Exulansic Finally Meet! https://exulansic.substack.com/p/interview-shapeshifter-and-exulansic

Cat Cattinson with July Carlan (December 6, 2022). “Being trans wasn’t my authentic self.” – Interview with Shape Shifter, detrans man. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB_m8f60tr4

Outkick / Fearless with Tomi Lahren and July Carlan (November 21, 2022). Trans ‘Shape Shifter’ doxxed by LGBTQ community, Michael Farren performs & Trump’s return to Twitter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LGXnptuKYE

Misha Petrov with July Carlan (November 19, 2022). Detransitioner On How Gender Stereotypes Pushed Him Into Medically Transitioning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3YomHp-liU

The Get Better Researcher (October 31, 2022). Detransitioner Shape Shifter Florida Board of Medicine Testimony. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko_MJln6c_4

Transparency with Aaron Kimberly, Aaron Terrell and July Carlan (August 29, 2022). EP46 – Owning Male Femininity – with Shape Shifter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoUE23la-uo

Blaire White (July 3, 2022). Detransitioner: “My Penis Is Gone Forever & I Regret it” | Emotional Interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRh80xSI8QQ

Arielle Scarcella with July Carlan and Brian (June 5, 2022). “I Miss My Penis” : Brave Detrans Men Speak Out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrRLpJ1uIzw

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce and July Carlan (June 4, 2022). When Transition Goes Wrong | with Shape Shifter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MorvzXI2uw

Transition Radio Show with Mark Angelo, Maritza Cummings, and July Carlan (May 29, 2022). TRS Presents An Interview With Shape Shifter: Transition A Costly Lie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YauXu8tpKgA

Resources

CPA Directory (cpadirectory.com)

X/Twitter (x.com)

  • ShifterofShapes [deleted]

YouTube (youtube.com)

GoFundMe (gofundme.com)

  • Fundraiser for legal expenses. [deleted]
  • gofundme.com/f/6dawp-fundraiser-for-legal-expenses [deleted – not archived]

reddit (reddit.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

TikTok (tiktok.com)

  • shifterofshape [deleted]

“Michelle Alleva” is the stage name of Michelle Zacchigna, a Canadian ex-transgender activist. Zacchigna gets money and attention by making it more difficult for others to get trans healthcare.

Zacchigna is a member of ex-trans group Beyond Trans.

Zacchigna has used a number of aliases and handles:

  • “Scarlett P”
  • “Michelle Alleva”
  • somenuanceplease
  • sumenuancepls

Zacchigna transitioned as an adult and made additional identity and expression changes ten years later.

Background

Zacchigna was born in 1988. Zacchigna reports being bullied in school, especially from ages 8 to 13. After a close adolescent friendship ended, Zacchigna experienced even more social isolation. Zacchigna alleges having the following problems as a teen:

  • developmental trauma
  • dissociation
  • low self-esteem
  • self-harm
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • 2008 suicide attempt
  • dated older people “who didn’t seem to have my best interests at heart”

At age 20, Zacchigna identified as asexual:

Although I had never had gender dysphoria before, the more I thought about gender and how I wanted to present myself, the more self-aware I became about my body, and the more I wanted to change it. I thought about my past and became convinced that I had been bullied because I was trans and just didn’t know it.

In spring 2010, at age 21, Zacchigna went to the Gender Journeys support group at Toronto’s Sherbourne Health. Two years later, in 2012, Zacchigna saved up and then paid out of pocket for elective top surgery in Florida.

Because transition doesn’t make you a new person or change who you are, Zacchigna felt better for a while, but then reported problems started again:

  • social anxiety
  • still difficult to make friends
  • depression
  • gender dysphoria
  • couldn’t cry anymore “because of the hormones”
  • uncontrolled acne
  • poor self-care
  • gained about 70-80 pounds
  • fired for “inconsistent” work output
  • irregular sleep schedule
  • stopped caring about appearance
  • became low income
  • moved back in with family
  • failed out of college
  • autism spectrum disorder
  • ADHD
  • post-traumatic stress symptoms
  • major depressive disorder
  • medical trauma
  • low voice
  • male-pattern balding
  • facial hair
  • an enlarged clitoris
  • a flat chest
  • the inability to ever become pregnant
  • “among other things”

Following a 2017 evaluation that added to Zacchigna’s long list of problems, in 2018 Zacchigna had a “medically unnecessary” partial hysterectomy because “it was covered by provincial insurance, and I liked the idea of not having any more periods or pap exams.”

Zacchigna is upset and angry “that I wasn’t screened for the diagnoses I later received before I was prescribed hormones.” Zacchigna was screened prior to the hysterectomy but still blames others for that decision made at age 30.

Anti-transgender activism

Now based in Orillia, Ontario, Zacchigna’s income is now supplemented by making it harder for other adults to get trans healthcare:

“I have spent the last 18 months involved in health care advocacy related to this topic. I’ve presented at webinars, spoken at universities, been featured in news articles, appeared on Podcasts, and written blogs semi-regularly sharing my experiences and my thoughts about how this could have happened.”

In 2022 Zacchigna announced a planned lawsuit:

“I’ve been holding this card close to my chest for a while, and I’m ready to show it. In November 2022, I commenced legal action against the Canadian healthcare providers that facilitated my medical transition in Ontario,”

Zacchigna is now a source for a number of anti-trans activists and outlets, including Michael Shellenberger, the National Post, and Western Standard. Zacchigna is also active in the anti-trans “parental rights” movement, appearing in Lighthouse and the 2023 film No Way Back.

References

Oldcorn, Christopher (February 23, 2023). Ontario woman sues healthcare professionals over irreversible gender transition. Western Standard https://www.westernstandard.news/news/ontario-woman-sues-healthcare-professionals-over-irreversible-gender-transition/article_28765010-b3a4-11ed-9dca-7f4bb5988028.html

Murphy, Madeline (November 2, 2022) Michelle Alleva Shares Her Story of Detransitioning. Irish Rover https://irishrover.net/2022/11/michelle-alleva-shares-her-story-of-detransitioning/

GD Alliance (June 30, 2021). Meet Scarlett P. Gender Dysphoria Alliance https://www.genderdysphoriaalliance.com/post/meet-scarlett-p

Humphrey, Adrian (February 22, 2023). Ontario detransitioner who had breasts and womb removed sues doctors. National Post https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/michelle-zacchigna-ontario-detransitioner-sues-doctors

Alleva, Michelle (May 2022). “Removing my completely healthy uterus is my greatest regret.” Michelle Alleva’s Story: Detransition. Lighthouse https://www.lighthouseforum.ca/stories/michellealleva

Shellenberger, Michael (March 22, 2023). Why This Detransitioner Is Suing Her Health Care Providers. Public https://public.substack.com/p/why-this-detransitioner-is-suing

Resources

Twitter (twitter.com)

GiveSendGo (givesendgo.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Substack (substack.com)

IMDb (imdb.com)

Beyond Trans is an anti-transgender group fronted by ex-trans activists and anti-transgender extremists. Do not get therapy from anyone listed on their site or below.

If you are a minor forced to see someone on this list, try to end the sessions and find supportive alternatives.

note: for the supportive show hosted by trans media personality Mardi Pieronek, see Beyond Trans

Background

Beyond Trans was created in 2023 as part of a web farm controlled by anti-trans extremist Stella O’Malley of Genspect. It is designed to recruit people who have regret, self-doubt, or distress about making changes in their gender identity or expression. Those people are then used to help with anti-trans efforts worldwide.

People

Therapists listed

  • Sue Beaney
  • Claire Blaze – Minnesota (blazepsychotherapy.com)
  • Carolyn Brown
  • Tyson Brown (good-insight-counseling.com)
  • Petra Bueskens (petrabueskens.com)
  • Fiona Davies – UK (fd-counselling-therapy.co.uk)
  • Vincent Deboni
  • Roelien den Ouden
  • Sarah Edmonds (flagstaffpsychologist.org)
  • Leslie Elliott (theradicalcenterconsulting.com)
  • Florence Ellis – Canada (ripplereflection.ca)
  • Kimberly Emery (faultlinecounseling.com)
  • Lynne Evans – UK (lynneevans.uk)
  • Susan Evans
  • Kristen Farrell-Turner
  • Bradley K. Fox (duggantherapyllc.com)
  • Chantal Gagne
  • Christine Gillespie – New Zealand
  • Liz Goodman – Virginia (dbhrichmond.com)
  • Peter Greasley (petergtwt.wixsite.com)
  • David M. Haralson (oasis-ft.com)
  • Judi Heppner – Canada
  • Kelly Hess – Texas
  • Kathryn Hilton (kathilton.com)
  • Catherine Jensen Colorado (catherinejensencounseling.com)
  • Sheri Johnson – Minnesota
  • Stephen B. Levine
  • Amber Liponoga – Missouri (eightdomainstherapy.com)
  • Lir Psychological Services – Ireland (lirtherapy.ie)
  • Michelle Mackness (macknesscounselling.com)
  • David Habib Martin – Oregon (davidmartintherapy.com)
  • David Minor (solidaritycoach.com)
  • Libby Nugent – UK (libbynugent.co.uk)
  • Dwight Panozzo – New Jersey
  • Artemis Papert (jungiantherapy.online)
  • Harriette Parnes – UK (drharrietteparnes.com)
  • Elektra Pavlou
  • Philip J Pellegrino – Pennsylvania (drphilippellegrino.com)
  • Jane Power – UK
  • Amber Redish
  • Fritha Robinson – Texas (robinson.clientsecure.me)
  • Lindsey Robinson – UK (lindseyrobinsontherapy.co.uk)
  • Julia Scott UK
  • Terry Patterson
  • Tisa Pinkerton – Virginia (lifehopeva.com)
  • Mark Pulley
  • Stefanie Schumacher (genderconfidentteen.com)
  • Tom Sherry – North Carolina (ashevillefamilysystems.com)
  • David Teachout (lifeweavings.com)
  • Daniel Enoch Tobin (tobintherapy.com)
  • Lantie Tom (lantiecreativetherapy.com)
  • Gender Crossroads – Canada (gendercrossroads.org)

Resources

Beyond Trans (beyondtrans.org)

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 andis a member of Beyond Trans.

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.

Ritchie Herron is a British ex-transgender activist. Herron gets money and attention by making it more difficult for others to get trans healthcare. Herron uses the handle “TullipR” online and frequently appears in conservative or fascist media. Herron is associated with anti-trans hate group Genspect and has spoken at Genspect events.

Background

Richard “Ritchie” Herron was born on May 25, 1987. Herron is a child of divorce who claims to have been bullied at school.

After spending time on UK-based The Angels forum, Herron purchased hormones as an adult from a private pharmacy. At age 25, Herron began transition and began using the name Abby. In 2018, at age 30, Herron got vaginoplasty. Five years later, at age 35, Herron made additional gender changes, largely due to dissatisfaction with vaginoplasty results.

Herron is a Newcastle-based civil servant.

In June 2022 Herron claimed lawyers in Liverpool were preparing a legal case against Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

Ex-transgender activism

Similar to the ex-gay activists of the 20th century, people like Herron get money and attention by claiming to be no longer trans.

Herron is heavily invested in metaphors of disease and impairment, identifying as disabled and mentally ill. This is a kind of attention-seeking behavior. Rather than take personal responsibility for life decisions made as a 30-year-old adult, Herron chooses to blame those who tried to help.

Herron’s alleged disorders, diseases, “comorbidities,” and maladies include:

  • “depression, OCD and latent homosexuality”
  • autism
  • “hated myself because I am gay”
  • “an ear infection that led to deafness”
  • a series of breakdowns
  • substance misuse issues
  • “no skill or co-ordination”

Here is how Herron describes the surgical results and complications:

  • “nearly bled to death”
  • “It literally looked like an animal had got on my crotch and it just went to town on it”
  • “like my arsecrack has been extended all the way to the front”
  • “under constant supervision for ongoing complications related to the deeply invasive surgery”
  • feel mostly nothing in “my flesh cavity” aside from “occasional stabs of pain”
  • crotch is numb, ‘shell-shocked’
  • scars “still sometimes weep” and “occasionally become inflamed and cause crippling pain”
  • “my body aches”
  • “lifelong pain”

Herron claims these long-term problems:

  • “killed my confidence”
  • cannot walk long distances
  • cannot ride a bike
  • infertile
  • incontinent
  • can’t use the toilet properly
  • “takes ten minutes to empty my bladder”
  • sex drive “is long gone”
  • “reliant on synthetic hormones”
  • “lifelong medical patient”

Herron has discussed ex-trans activism in conservative or fascist outlets that include National Review, Rebel News, Daily Mail, Daily Record, Spiked, The Lion, World News Group, The Times, The Critic, The Washington Examiner. The Telegraph, The Christian Institute, Christian Post, and Christian Broadcasting Network.

Herron also frequently appears on channels featuring anti-trans content:

Herron also does collaborations with other ex-trans activists and conservative trans people:

References

Anti-trans coverage

Dixon, Hayley (May 25, 2025). Two biological men a day given trans surgery on NHS: Teenagers among those opting for ‘feminising genital surgery’ at a cost to the taxpayer. The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/25/two-biological-men-a-day-given-trans-surgery-on-nhs/

Bindel, Julie (August 16, 2024). MY TRANS MISTAKE : I changed sex after becoming suicidal & medics diagnosed me as trans – I regretted it and now live as neutered man. The Sun https://www.the-sun.com/lifestyle/12218510/change-sex-suicidal-regret-neutered/

Ely, John (August 14, 2024). ‘Doctors refused to admit de-transitioners like me exist… will that finally change now?’: As NHS launches clinic for patients who regret their sex-change ops, one person who hopes to become a patient speaks out. Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13741923/Doctors-refused-admit-transitioners-like-exist-finally-change-NHS-launches-clinic-patients-regret-sex-change-ops-one-person-hopes-patient-speaks-out.html

Manning, Sanchez (August 13, 2024). ‘Doctors refused to let me admit my transition was a mistake. Now I want to reverse it.’ The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/13/regret-transgender-surgery-nhs-detransition-service/

Downey, Caroline (April 24, 2023). ‘I Immediately Experienced Regret’: British Man Recounts Horror of Gender-Transition Surgery. National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/news/i-immediately-experienced-regret-british-man-recounts-horror-of-gender-transition-surgery/

West, Steve; Vaughan, Ashley (April 6, 2023). Trans on trial: Will lawsuits finally stem the tide of gender experimentation on children? World News Group https://wng.org/articles/trans-on-trial-1680401006

Schneider, Jillian (February 1, 2023). ‘It’s disgusting, I’m disgusting’: Male detransitioner explains why no one – not even adults – should have cross-sex surgery. The Lion https://readlion.com/its-disgusting-im-disgusting-male-detransitioner-explains-why-no-one-not-even-adults-should-have-cross-sex-surgery/

Pooran, Neil (November 21, 2022). ‘Detransitioners’ to address MSPs at Holyrood over gender recognition Bill. The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/msps-scottish-government-holyrood-snp-newcastle-b2229843.html

Maynes, Maria (September 18, 2022). ‘What have I done?’: The people who realised changing sex was a mistake now speak out. Gript https://gript.ie/what-have-i-done-the-people-who-realised-changing-sex-was-a-mistake-now-speak-out/

Bartosch, Jo (June 7, 2023). Trans ideology is selling a lie: We can’t mend mental distress by removing healthy body parts. Spiked https://www.spiked-online.com/2023/06/07/trans-ideology-is-selling-a-lie/

Griffiths, Sian (June 4, 2023). ‘NHS trans surgery damaged my body for ever — it’s not safe.’ The Times https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nhs-trans-surgery-damaged-my-body-for-ever-its-not-safe-jt2hhbrgk

Dixon, Hayley (October 22, 2022). I’ve been betrayed by medics who left me in pain because I didn’t want to be gay, says detransitioner. The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/10/22/betrayed-medics-who-left-pain-didnt-want-gay-says-detransitioner/

Staff report (October 22, 2022). Man who had sex change operation paid for by NHS says medics ‘betrayed’ him and left him in lifelong pain because he did not want to be gay. Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11343887/Man-sex-change-operation-paid-NHS-says-medics-betrayed-him.html

Beal, James (June 29, 2022,). Trans surgery ‘a conveyor system with no questions.’ The Times https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/nhs-transgender-surgery-a-conveyor-system-with-no-questions-says-patient-37gq0wjmz

Kearns, Madeleine (June 28, 2022). Gender-Confused Adults Also Deserve Better Care. National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/gender-confused-adults-also-deserve-better-care/

Goins-Phillips, TrĂŠ (June 28, 2022). ‘God, What Have I Done?’: Man Suing Health Care Provider Over Trans Surgery, Says ‘Avalanche’ of De-Transitioners Coming. Christian Broadcast Network https://cbn.com/news/world/god-what-have-i-done-man-suing-health-care-provider-over-trans-surgery-says-avalanche-de

Manning, Sanchez (June 25, 2022). ‘My first thought as I came round was Oh God! What have I done?’: Man suing the NHS over trans surgery he bitterly regrets has bravely waived anonymity to share his ordeal. Daily Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10953157/Man-suing-NHS-trans-surgery-regrets-bravely-waived-anonymity-share-ordeal.html

Selected writing by Herron

Herron, Ritchie (June 8, 2025). ‘I still regret surgery’: My opening speech at the Battle of Ideas, October 2024. Ritchie Herron https://tullipr.substack.com/p/i-still-regret-surgery

Herron, Ritchie (August 14, 2024). Scabs: A reflective essay on being public. Ritchie Herron https://tullipr.substack.com/p/scabs

Herron, Ritchie (September 13, 2022). A Detransitioner’s Perspective: Awakening from the Dream of Gender Utopia. Human Events https://humanevents.com/2022/09/13/a-detransitioners-perspective-awakening-from-the-dream-of-gender-utopia

Herron, Ritchie (September 8, 2023). Ruined: Navigating through the rubble of recovery. Ritchie Herron https://tullipr.substack.com/p/ruined

Herron, Ritchie (May 27, 2022). How I Got Here: Trans OCD & Internet Addiction. Ritchie Herron https://tullipr.substack.com/p/how-i-got-here-trans-ocd-and-internet

Herron, Ritchie (April 23, 2022). The Gender Dysphoria Trap. Opinion: My take on the term ‘Gender Dysphoria’ and why we should stop using it. Ritchie Herron https://tullipr.substack.com/p/the-gender-dysphoria-trap

Herron, Ritchie (March 21, 2022). Trans to Detrans: From a detransitioning males perspective. Ritchie Herron https://tullipr.substack.com/p/trans-to-detrans

Media

Battle of Ideas with Ritchie Herron (June 1, 2025). Detrans: how the medical profession failed me | Ritchie Herron | Battle of Ideas 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3Jde5AzfGI

The Navel Gays with Aaron Kimberly, Tali Botz, and Ritchie Herron (October 28, 2024). Episode 15 – Roads to Reality with Ritchie Herron. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu3pnfM0gUw

heretics. with Andrew Gold and Ritchie Herron (July 24, 2024). Doctors Pushed Me Into Surgery – Ritchie Herron (4K) | heretics. 76. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk7NX7iPr9k

GBNews / Free Speech Nation with Andrew Doyle, Ritchie Herron, and Neal Hanvey (March 11, 2024). ‘They didn’t even count me as a de-transitioner’ – Ritchie Herron & Neal Hanvey | The WPATH Files. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIJ0ef0WzCE

Alexander L with Ritchie Herron, Jennifer Lahl, and Gary Powell (January 18, 2024). Discussing The Lost Boys: Searching for Manhood (with Ritchie Herron, Jennifer Lahl and Gary Powell). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWANpw7xUw4

Sasha White with Ritchie Herron (November 27, 2023). What the Experts Don’t Want You to Know About Trans Vaginoplasty | Ritchie Herron. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N2praAS2BQ

Alexander L (September 3, 2023). Autism and gender identity: Talking detransition, AGP, transmaxxing and HRT (with Ritchie Herron). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw7a8eioa1w

Times Radio with Ritchie Herron (June 4, 2023). ‘I regret trusting’ the doctors who pushed me to transition gender | Ritchie Herron. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aGZat6fF1I

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce, “Angus Fox,” Corinna Cohn, and Ritchie Herron (May 18, 2023). Let’s Hear It From The Boys | A Genspect Debrief with Alasdair, Ritchie, & Corinna. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxny6uae9Qs

Benjamin Boyce with Genspect, “Angus Fox,” Ritchie Herron, Iseult White, Jet London, and Malcolm Clark (May 9, 2023). “What if they’re Gay not Trans?” | a Genspect Panel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI6FYBlVZi8

Genspect with Stella O’Malley and Ritchie Herron (April 5, 2023). Detrans Awareness Day 2023: Ritchie Herron – Life After Detransition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqoAJIv97Uw

Viva Frei with David Freiheit and Ritchie Herron (February 1, 2023). The Real Story Behind the “Trans” Movement Will Shock You – Viva Frei Interviews TullipR/Ritchie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_cNVkvz7ZM

The Lotuseaters with Connor Tomlinson and Ritchie Herron (January 20, 2023). The Tragedy of Trans Regret | Interview with Ritchie Herron. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR-xRZBN1AM

GBNews / Free Speech Nation with Andrew Doyle, Ritchie Herron, and Keira Bell (January 1, 2023). Gender detransitioning: Ritchie Herron and Keira Bell share their stories | Free Speech Nation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_EEWmUY-k0

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce, Donovan Cleckley, and Ritchie Herron (November 13, 2022). How Do Effeminate Men Fit In? | with Donovan Cleckley & Ritchie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuEaNdPurv8

LGB Alliance with James Esses and Ritchie Herron (Nov 7, 2022). The Detrans Perspective – A Conversation With A Survivor (James Esses & Ritchie Herron). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE1-enC8Wz4

Andy Ngo Live with Andy Ngo and Ritchie Herron (October 31, 2022). Male detransitioner: The biggest mistake of my life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4i7Cg5stCA

Gript with Maria Maynes and Ritchie Herron (October 14, 2022). My story of gender detransition: Ritchie Herron. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3eA0vSHeak

Gender: A Wider Lens with Stella O’Malley, Sasha Ayad, and Ritchie Herron (September 29, 2022). EPISODE 89 – Ritchie’s Detransition: The Myth of Adult Invulnerability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v96k-D0_oMI

The Blaire White Project with Blaire White and Ritchie Herron (September 26, 2022). Detransitioner Interview: Regretting Bottom Surgery, Exposing Big Pharma, & Trans Activist Hate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj3qA2A_z3w

Trish Wood is Critical with Trish Wood, Ritchie Herron, and Helen Joyce (September 17, 2022). Ritchie Herron and Helen Joyce. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIW5p84Ox3M

Graham Linehan and Ritchie Herron (August 10, 2022). A chat with Ritchie Herron. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ93IPyPLqE

GBNews with Dan Wootton, Ritchie Herron, and Maya Forstater (July 28, 2022). Tavistock: Ritchie Herron joins Dan Wootton to discuss the closure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW7WNX91ITE

Truth Is The New Hate Speech with Erin Brewer and Ritchie Herron (July 16, 2022). Ritchie’s Story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxrrhtgIEfk

Times Radio with Ritchie Herron (June 28, 2022). Transitioning was ‘the biggest mistake of my life’ | Ritchie Herron interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSYL7eiPM-E

The Center for Bioethics and Culture Network with Kallie Fell and Ritchie Herron (June 14, 2022). Special Edition of Venus Rising with TullipR: What the Gender Industry Won’t Tell You. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asWehfzx1QU

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce, Ritchie Herron and Sinead Watson (May 13, 2022). What is “Detrans”? | with Tullip and Sinead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zfxha7fTpY

Resources

X/Twitter (x.com)

Substack (substack.com)

reddit (reddit.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Note: an earlier version had a typo in Herron’s birth year.

Charlie Evans is a British writer and ex-transgender activist. Evans gets money and attention by making it harder for others to get trans healthcare.

Background

Evans was born ~1991. Evans reportedly experienced abuse outside the family as a child. Evans also reportedly experiences generalized anxiety disorder and depression.

Evans has resided in Margate and Newcastle and reportedly has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology, with plans to seek a doctorate.

Ex-trans activism

Evans announced the Detransition Advocacy Network in November 2019.

Six months later, Evans reportedly took a full-time job as a COVID tester and announced a “retirement from the gender wars.” The website was deactivated in late 2021.

References

Stone, Gemma (April 23, 2021). Where is The Detransition Advocacy Network now? Medium https://medium.com/@notCursedE/where-is-the-detransition-advocacy-network-now-f01ec9c9682d

Comerford, Aidan (January 29, 2021). Update thread. https://twitter.com/AidanCTweets/status/1355188820854104069

Staff report (May 12, 2020). The media lies: “100’s of detransitioners” scam EXPOSED. Transiness https://www.transiness.com/post/the-media-lies-100-s-of-detransitioners-scam-exposed

Anti-trans coverage

Lockwood, Sally (October 5, 2019) ‘Hundreds’ of young trans people seeking help to return to original sex. Sky News https://news.sky.com/story/hundreds-of-young-trans-people-seeking-help-to-return-to-original-sex-11827740

Heuchan, Claire (January 23, 2020). I Am No Less of a Woman: Charlie Evans Interview. AfterEllen https://afterellen.com/charlie-evans-interview/

Walsh, Joani (November 16, 2019). Meet the ‘detransitioners’: the women who became men – and now want to go back. The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/meet-detransitioners-women-became-men-now-want-go-back/

Staff report (November 2, 2019). News in detransition. Gender Health Query https://www.genderhq.org/blog/2019/10/17/news-in-detransition

Media

Women’s Declaration International (WDI) (October 27, 2019). Charlie Evans, Detransition Advocacy Network at WHRC “Inventing the Transgender Child” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I7hS3qrwXQ

Resources

Detransition Advocacy Network (detransadv.com) [archive]

Detransition Advocacy Network (detransadv.net)

Detransition Advocacy Network (thedetransitionadv.wixsite.com)

Twitter (twitter.com)

Medium (medium.com)

  • @charlie.evans/ [deleted]
  • https://medium.com/@charlie.evans/the-medicalization-of-gender-non-conforming-children-and-the-vulnerability-of-lesbian-youth-10d4ac517e8e

Patreon (patreon.com)

Crowdfunder UK (crowdfunder.co.uk)

  • Website for ‘The Detransition Advocacy Network’
  • https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/website-for-the-detransition-advocacy-network
  • Fundraiser for Debbie Harries
  • https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-debbie-harries
  • Sookie’s Travel to UK [2nd Detrans Meet]
  • https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/sookies-travel-to-uk-2nd-detrans-meet

.

Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender (CAN-SG) is an anti-transgender front group. It is part of an anti-trans web farm of similar sites. YouTube designates their videos as “conversion therapy content.” In 2025, CAN-SG became heavily involved in trying to stop NHS from conducting clinical trials on puberty blockers.

Background

CAN-SG was incorporated on June 14, 2023. They weigh in on the following topics:

  • Children and young people’s gender services
  • Puberty blockers
  • Social transition
  • Ethics
  • International perspectives
  • Sex and gender in language, medicine, science and healthcare
  • Conversion therapy

People

Officers

Members include

Contributors cited include

2023 Guardian letter

Following a 2023 Department for Education draft guidance regarding gender questioning children, CAN-SG members expressed conditional support for the draft. Signatories were:

2024 conference

In March 2024, CAN-SG held a conference in London called “Do No Harm.” It featured many key opponents of healthcare for trans and gender diverse youth.

The event was held at 30 Euston Square, the headquarters of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). Following protests from members and the public, RGCP requested that CAN-SG remove all references that suggested RCGP were involved or endorsed the event, which was reportedly booked by Searcys, the venue’s event manager.

RCGP leaders stated:

The RCGP is one of 20 health organisations that have signed a memorandum of understanding opposing conversion therapy, so we were very vocal opponents of the Government’s proposal to ban the practice for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in England and Wales but not for trans people. When the document was updated to include gender identity, we worked with other signatories to ensure the memorandum was clear that being opposed to conversion therapy did not mean opposing appropriate clinical and psychological interventions for trans and gender-questioning people and that it is entirely possible to deliver a ban on conversion therapy that protects all LGBTQ+ people.

RCGP (2024) [emphasis mine]

Three pro-trans protesters were arrested for actions outside the venue.

Promoted organizers, speakers, and panelists:

Webinars

CAN-SG has held a series of webinars featuring its members.

References

Hawthorne, Kamila; Holmes, Mike; Thomas, Mark (February 14, 2024). Statement from Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of Council, Professor Mike Holmes, Chair of Trustees, and Mark Thomas, Acting Chief Executive Officer re: CAN-SG conference. https://www.rcgp.org.uk/News/can-sg-conference-statement

Parr, Eliza (February 12, 2024). RCGP under pressure to cancel ‘gender critical’ conference. Pulse https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/clinical-areas/mental-health-and-addiction/rcgp-under-pressure-to-cancel-gender-critical-conference/

Selected anti-trans writing by CAN-SG

CAN-SG (September 20, 2025). Can a clinical trial of puberty blockers in children experiencing gender distress be carried out ethically? https://can-sg.org/2025/09/20/can-a-clinical-trial-of-puberty-blockers-in-children-experiencing-gender-distress-be-carried-out-ethically/

Cashman, Rachel (August 22, 2025). Protecting Children: The NHS Sussex Controversy. https://can-sg.org/2025/08/22/protecting-children-the-nhs-sussex-controversy/

“Maia Poet” (July 28, 2025). My Message to Clinicians on the Overlap Between Autism & Gender Dysphoria. https://can-sg.org/2025/07/28/my-message-to-clinicians-on-the-overlap-between-autism-gender-dysphoria/

CAN-SG (June 30, 2025). Wes Streeting’s Review of Cross-Sex Hormones: a step forward but still a long way to go. https://can-sg.org/2025/06/30/wes-streetings-review-of-cross-sex-hormones-a-step-forward-but-still-a-long-way-to-go/

CAN-SG (July 4, 2025). Gender affirming surgery: a systematic medical deception. https://can-sg.org/2025/07/04/gender-affirming-surgery-a-systematic-medical-deception/

CAN-SG (May 7, 2025). Why Puberty Blocker Trial Faces Ethical Challenges. https://can-sg.org/2025/05/07/why-puberty-blocker-trial-faces-ethical-challenges/

CAN-SG (January 27, 2025). Would a Puberty Blocker trial be ethical? https://can-sg.org/2025/01/27/would-a-puberty-blocker-trial-be-ethical/

CAN-SG (December 31, 2023). Letter: Parents must hold schools to account on gender. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/commentisfree/2023/dec/31/parents-must-hold-schools-to-account-on-gender-observer-letters

Block, Jennifer (2023). Gender dysphoria in young people is rising—and so is professional disagreement. BMJ, p382. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.p382

Media

The Royal College of Psychiatrists with Tamsin Newlove-Delgado, Matilda Gosling, Raka Maitra, Su Sukumaran, Stella Kingett, and Philippa Greenfield (March 7, 2025). Free Members’ Webinar: International Women’s Day 2025 – From Awareness to Action. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TDTiXidh9g

Wallace, Nick (March 3, 2025). The Times at One radio interview with Louise Irvine on UK puberty blocker trial. https://genderblog.net/dr-louise-irvine-the-case-against-the-nhs-puberty-blocker-trial/

Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust with Stella Kingett (Mar 25, 2020). Lowther Road. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE-wILNJVVo

Resources

Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender (can-sg.org)

Twitter (twitter.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Companies House (find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk)

Vimeo (vimeo.com)

  • CAN-SG
  • vimeo.com/user217256509

Grace Lidinsky-Smith is an “ex-transgender” activist. Lidinsky-Smith’s work has been cited by conservative psychologist Erica Anderson and others seeking to restrict access to healthcare for gender diverse youth and young adults.

Lidinsky-Smith is featured in the anti-trans propaganda piece Detransition Diaries, produced by the Center for Bioethics and Culture Network. Lidinsky-Smith was also featured in anti-trans segments by Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly. Lidinsky-Smith also appeared on podcasts with anti-trans activists Bridget Phetasy, Lesley Stahl, and Graham Linehan. Lidinsky-Smith was also featured in pieces by Emily Bazelon and Azeen Ghorayshi during the New York Times anti-transgender coverage crisis.

Background

Lidinsky-Smith “detransitioned” after making a gender transition as an adult that included hormones as well as top surgery with Sidhbh Gallagher.

Ex-trans activism

Lidinsky-Smith then became active in ex-trans organizations like Gender Care Consumer Advocacy Network (GCCAN).

In 2022, Patrick Hunter, Corinna Cohn, and Lidinsky-Smith submitted a proposed presentation to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. They planned to present and discuss work by Hunter, Kenneth Zucker, Riittakerttu Kaltiala, and Lisa Littman. It was rejected.

In 2022, Lidinsky-Smith was featured by both Azeen Ghorayshi and Emily Bazelon in the New York Times during their anti-trans coverage crisis.

In 2022, Lidinsky-Smith was featured in the anti-trans propaganda video The Detransition Diaries by Jennifer Lahl and Kallie Fell, as well as in their 2024 book by the same name.

In 2023, Lidinsky-Smith was featured in the anti-trans book Gender Madness by “Oli London.”

In the 2024 book Bad Ink: How The New York Times Sold Out Transgender Teens, Riki Wilchins noted that Azeen Ghorayshi included Lidinsky-Smith in a piece about teens choosing top surgery, even though Lidinsky-Smith was not a teen:

Ghorayshi also gratuitously introduced Grace Lidinsky-Smith, who transitioned as an adult at age 23 and then detransitioned later. So it turns out this cautionary tale is not about a minor and thus irrelevant to the topic at hand.

She didn’t bother to mention that Lidinsky-Smith is president of Gender Care Consumer Advocacy Network, an organization which promotes blanket bans on both youth and adult care, state monitoring of all affirming care, and malpractice lawsuits against care providers. GCCAN also claimed that top surgery is marketed “like cigarette companies used to market tobacco to children.”⁴⁶⁶ ⁴⁶⁷ ⁴⁶⁸ ⁴⁶⁹

Lidinsky-Smith was also featured on 60 Minutes, where Lesley Stahl briefly interviewed a single, unnamed happy trans teen before devoting the bulk of the segment to detransition and regret. She also did not disclose Lidinsky-Smith’s leadership of GCCAN.⁴⁷⁰ ⁴⁷¹ ⁴⁷²

References

Serano, Julia (July 24, 2023). Spotting Anti-Trans Media Bias on Detransition. Medium https://juliaserano.medium.com/spotting-anti-trans-media-bias-on-detransition-a9a782a46894

Burns, Katelyn (March 1 2023). How Journalists Can Responsibly Report on Trans Kids. NBCU Academy https://nbcuacademy.com/trans-kids-journalism/

Hollar, Julie (June 23, 2022). NYT Centers Trans Healthcare Story on Doctors—Not Trans People. FAIR https://fair.org/home/nyt-centers-trans-healthcare-story-on-doctors-not-trans-people/

Factora, James (May 25, 2021). Dear 60 Minutes, There Is No “Both Sides-Ing” Trans Healthcare. them https://www.them.us/story/60-minutes-platforms-detransitioners-trans-healthcare

Ellefson, Lindsey (May 24, 2021). GLAAD Slams ‘Shameful’ ’60 Minutes’ Story on Transgender Youth. The Wrap https://www.thewrap.com/glaad-60-minutes-transgender-youth-cbs-news/

Sarnoff, Marisa (May 24, 2021). GLAAD Calls Out 60 Minutes for ‘Fearmongering’ Segment With ‘Anti-Trans Dog Whistles’ About Transgender Youth. Mediaite https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/glaad-calls-out-60-minutes-for-fearmongering-segment-with-anti-trans-dog-whistles-about-transgender-youth/

Anti-trans coverage

Anllo, L. (2025). Challenges of Sexual Life after Detransition: Trauma, Disenfranchised Grief, and Unmet Needs. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 51(6), 639–651. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623x.2025.2531167

Lahl, Jennifer; Fell, Kallie (2024). The Detransition Diaries. Ignatius Press, ISBN 978-1621646372

“London, Oli” (2023). Gender Madness: One Man’s Devastating Struggle with Woke Ideology and His Battle to Protect Children.  Skyhorse Publishing, ISBN 978-1510778061

Ferguson, Samuel D. (2023). Does God Care about Gender Identity? Crossway, ISBN 978-1433591150

Richards, Gillian (September 20, 2022). These 3 Women Tried Transgenderism, and Then Stopped. The Washington Stand https://washingtonstand.com/news/these-3-women-tried-transgenderism-and-then-stopped

Jackson, Mary (October 6, 2022). “Our voices can no longer be denied”: New films highlight the dangers of the transgender trend. World News Group https://wng.org/articles/our-voices-can-no-longer-be-denied-1664936820

Dreher, Rod (September 28, 2022). Gaslighting Mengeles Who Mutilate Kids. The American Conservative https://www.theamericanconservative.com/gaslighting-mengeles-who-mutilate-kids/

Ghorayshi, Azeen (September 26, 2022). More Trans Teens Are Choosing ‘Top Surgery.’ New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/26/health/top-surgery-transgender-teenagers.html

Bazelon, Emily (June 15, 2022). The Battle Over Gender Therapy. New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/15/magazine/gender-therapy.html

James, Sharon (September 24, 2021). The Hidden Harm of Gender Transition. The Gospel Coalition https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/hidden-harm-gender-transition/

Stahl, Lesley (May 23, 2021). State bills would curtail health care for transgender youth. CBS News https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transgender-health-care-60-minutes-2021-05-23/

Jones, Kevin J. (June 29, 2021). ‘Gender transition’ regret deserves a voice, says former patient. Catholic News Agency https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248192/gender-transition-regret-deserves-a-voice-says-former-patient

Deese, Kaelan (May 27, 2021). Woman who spoke about detransition responds to ‘unfair’ backlash from transgender activists. Washington Examiner https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2874426/woman-who-spoke-about-detransition-responds-to-unfair-backlash-from-transgender-activists/

Selected writing by Lidinsky-Smith

Lidinsky-Smith, Grace (June 25, 2021). There’s No Standard for Care When it Comes to Trans Medicine | Opinion Newsweek https://www.newsweek.com/theres-no-standard-care-when-it-comes-trans-medicine-opinion-1603450

(May 15, 2020). Interview with Dr. Lisa Littman.

Media

Megyn Kelly with Walt Heyer and Grace Lidinsky-Smith (August 4, 2022). Two Detransitioners Share How They Faced Backlash For Simply Sharing Their Stories. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNtKHlLjHCc

Walk-Ins Welcome with Bridget Phetasy and Grace Lidinsky-Smith (May 26, 2022). Grace Lidinsky-Smith Discusses The Gender Lens. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAKI07QavXk

Graham Linehan with Grace Lidinsky-Smith (March 10, 2022). Detrans Awareness Day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LIM7uY1itE

Heterodorx with Corinna Cohn, Nina Paley, and Grace Lidinsjy-Smith (July 26, 2021). Episode 27: America’s Most Undercompensated Detranssexual with Grace Lidinsky-Smith. https://heterodorx.com/podcast/americas-most-undercompensated-detranssexual-with-grace-lidinsky-smith/

Stahl, Lesley (May 23, 2021). Health care challenges for transgender youth. CBS News https://www.cbsnews.com/video/transgender-health-care-60-minutes-video-2021-05-23/

Resources

X/Twitter (x.com)

Gender Care Consumer Advocacy Network (gccan.org) [archive]

  • Who We Are [archive]
  • gccan.org/who-we-are

YouTube (youtube.com)

Substack (substack.com)

Ravelry (ravelry.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

IMDb (imdb.com)

Grace Branham is an American “ex-transgender” activist.

Branham served as treasurer for ex-trans organization Gender Care Consumer Advocacy Network (GCCAN).

Background

Branham earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 2018 and a graduate certificate from University of Kansas in 2022. Following a stint at a dog daycare facility, in 2022 Branham took a job at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis as an animal research technician.

From the GCCAN site:

Grace Branham is a post-operative detransitioner who received gender care from the ages of 15 to 21. S/he did not feel adequately supported by providers before, during, or when ending treatment and believes all consumers deserve high-quality care whether they are considering transition, in the process, or detransitioning. S/he hopes GCCAN’s work will help providers better understand the varied experiences of consumers so they may better serve sexuality- and gender-diverse communities.

References

Alumni spotlight: Grace Branham. IU Department of American Studies. https://americanstudies.indiana.edu/about/alumni-grace.html

Resources

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

Gender Care Consumer Advocacy Network (gccan.org) [archive]

  • Who We Are [archive]
  • gccan.org/who-we-are

S. Ding Lab (sdinglab.wustl.edu)