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Cardinal Support Network vs. transgender people

Groups Reviewed August 30, 2026 5 min read

Cardinal Support Network is a website for unaccepting parents of gender diverse children. Founder Sharon Beck aka “Maria Polaris” is married to Stephen Beck, a co-founder of anti-trans hate group Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine.

It is highly critical of trans healthcare for young people and promotes ex-trans activists.

Background

Cardinal Support Network was launched in 2021. It offers running commentary on developments in healthcare for trans youth in academia, media, and law.

Anti-trans activism

In addition to helping found Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine, the Becks were key figures in passing bans on trans healthcare in Ohio. Sharon Beck provided written and oral testimony and worked with Representative Gary Click on enacting bans.

In 2022, the Becks’ adult child Stevie Beck testified on the harms caused by both parents.

“My name is Stevie Beck and I’m here to speak today in opposition of H.B. 454. This committee heard previously from my mother under the nickname ‘Maria Polaris’ in the first spring proponent hearing, and it would be fair now if you heard the truth from me. I will be using my real name.

[…] None of my therapists had experience with gender questioning youth, but they listened as I struggled to find any kind of familial support for my mental health, which declined upon realization that I was unable to be honest with my family about this. I would eventually be diagnosed with PTSD from their behavior towards me at home.”

CSN guidance section

Their guidance section lists many “parental rights” groups and articles on “detransition.”

Their rambling and disorganized section of resources lists many leading lights in ex-trans and anti-trans activism.

Videos

Books

  • Full list
  • Anderson, Ryan. When Harry Became Sally. (2018).
  • Brunskell-Evans, Heather, and Moore, Michele. Inventing Transgender Children and Young People. (2019).
  • Brunskell-Evans, Heather, and Moore, Michele. Transgender Children and Young People, Born in Your Own Body. (2018).
  • Elliott, Zachary. Gender Paradox. (2020).
  • Fine, Cordelia. Delusions of Gender. (2010).
  • Heyer, Walter. Paper Genders. (2011).
  • Hooven, Carole. T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us. (2021)
  • Keffler, Maria. Desist, Detrans & Detox: Getting Your Child Out of the Gender Cult. (2021)
  • Lukianoff, Greg, and Haidt, Jonathan. The Coddling of the American Mind. (2018).
  • McGuire, Ashley. Sex Scandal, The Drive to Abolish Male and Female. (2017).
  • Rippon, Gina. The Gendered Brain: The New Neuroscience that Shatters the Myth of the Female Brain. (2019).
  • Shrier, Abigail. Irreversible Damage. (2020).
  • Van Der Kolk, Bessel. The Body Keeps the Score, Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. (2014).

References

Jones, Zinnia (January 31, 2024). “Still dreaming of running over the trans activists”: Sharon Beck, leader of anti-trans parent group Cardinal Support Network and wife of SEGM’s cofounder, “guided” Ohio Rep. Gary Click on his trans care ban. Gender Analysis https://genderanalysis.net/2024/01/still-dreaming-of-running-over-the-trans-activists-sharon-beck-leader-of-anti-trans-parent-group-cardinal-support-network-and-wife-of-segms-cofounder-guided/

Schevers, Ky; Leveille, Lee (June 7, 2024). The Dangers of Detrans TERF Entryism: Lessons for Organizers from OH HB 68. Gender Analysis https://genderanalysis.net/2024/06/the-dangers-of-detrans-terf-entryism-lessons-for-organizers-from-oh-hb-68/

Resources

Cardinal Support Network (cardinalsupportnetwork.com)

X/Twitter (x.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

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