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Child and Adolescent Therapists Association vs. transgender people

Child and Adolescent Therapists Association (CATA) is a New Zealand based group of anti-trans activists who work as therapists. Do not go to any CATA member for counseling of any kind.

People

  • Shane Stevenson
  • Christine Gillespie
  • Carmel Counselling
  • Barbara Greene
  • Lois Hewetson
  • Bridget Thompson
  • Jan Cleghorn
  • Jos Rossell

2022 anti-trans conference

In 2022, CATA held an anti-trans conference led by Jos Rossell titled “Children, Adolescents and Gender – Impacts of transgender ideology.”

Speakers:

  • Stella O’Malley (keynote): “When reality meets fantasy: the impact of transgenderism on children, parents, and their families”
  • Dianna Kenny: “Normative development of sex, sexuality and gender in children and teenagers”
  • Margaret Curnow, Lesbian Action for Visibility in Aotearoa, and Suzanne Levy, Speak up for Women “The Strange Rise of the T and the disappearing L – the history of transgenderism and its erasure of lesbians and gays”
  • Panel wth Dianna Kenny, Margaret Curnow, Suzanne Levy, Fern Hickson, and “detransitioners” who went by “Lena,” and “Lizzie.”
  • Nicolette Levy and Annabel Markham “The Implications of the Conversion Practices Prohibition Act 2022 for counsellors, teachers, and parents”

The reaction was swift and negative. Professional organizations protested the planned event, which still went on.

References

Maude, Simon (November 24, 2022 ). NZ Media Council upholds complaint against the Nelson Mail. Stuff https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/300746078/nz-media-council-upholds-complaint-against-the-nelson-mail

Rivers, Jan (13 September 2022). The closure of England’s youth gender medicine clinic and its impacts for New Zealand. Public Good https://www.publicgood.org.nz/2022/09/13/the-closure-of-englands-youth-gender-medicine-clinic-and-its-impacts-for-new-zealand/

New Zealand Media Council (September 2022). Fern Hickson against The Nelson Mail. https://www.mediacouncil.org.nz/rulings/ruling-by-the-new-zealand-media-council-in-the-complaint-of-fern-hickson-against-the-nelson-mail/

“Harriet” (August 26, 2022). The Conversion Practice Prohibition Act: what does it mean for counsellors, parents and teachers? The Standard https://thestandard.org.nz/the-conversion-practice-prohibition-act-what-does-it-mean-for-counsellors-parents-and-teachers/

Staff report (June 26, 2022). Transgender conference organisers defend right to proceed. Stuff https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/129033718/transgender-conference-organisers-defend-right-to-proceed

Macfarlane, Christine (June 21, 2022). NZAC Position on CATA Conference August 2022. https://nzac.org.nz/company/roster/companyRosterDetails.html?companyId=48587&companyRosterId=229

Rivers, Jan (June 21, 2022). The New Zealand Association of Counsellors capitulates to pressure from trans-activists. Public Good https://www.publicgood.org.nz/2022/06/21/the-new-zealand-association-of-counsellors-capitulates-to-pressure-from-trans-activists/

New Zealand Psychological Society (June 10, 2022). Statement regarding ‘Children, Adolescents and Gender Negative Impacts of Transgender Ideology’ conference. https://www.psychology.org.nz/application/files/2416/5483/3126/Statement_on_CATA_Conference.pdf

Hubbard, Catherine (June 10, 2022). Transgender conference sparks fierce national backlash. Nelson Mail / Stuff https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/128897870/transgender-conference-sparks-fierce-national-backlash

New Zealand Media Council (May 8, 2023). Jan Rivers against Stuff. https://www.mediacouncil.org.nz/rulings/jan-rivers-against-stuff-3398/

Media

Cata NZ with Jos Rossell and Stella O’Malley (September 22, 2022). Stella O’Malley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDXMtXM27KY

Cata NZ with Jos Rossell and Dianna Kenny (September 22, 2022). Dr. Dianna Kenny. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NANTc_NN-Fk

Cata NZ with Jos Rossell, Margaret Curnow, and Suzanne Levy (September 22, 2022). Margaret Curnow & Suzanne Levy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUsRWMgRD0s

Cata NZ with Jos Rossell, Annabel Markham, and Nicolette Levy.(September 22, 2022). Annabel Markham & Nicolette Levy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTVWtKoFYNc

Cata NZ with Jos Rossell, Dianna Kenny, Margaret Curnow, Suzanne Levy, Fern Hickson, “Lena,” and “Lizzie” (September 22, 2022). Panel Discussion and Q&A. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9jVmPZ9uXA

Resources

Child and Adolescent Therapists Association (cata.org.nz)

  • Children, Adolescents and Gender – Impacts of transgender ideology
  • cata.org.nz/new-events/conference-agenda [archive]
  • Who We Are: Therapists
  • cata.org.nz/all/ [archive]

YouTube (youtube.com)