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Christian Medical Fellowship vs. transgender people

The Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) is a British association of Christian doctors, medical students, nurses, and midwives. CMF has published a number of anti-trans public policy submissions and guidelines for members.

In 2026, Amnesty International UK published reports naming Christian Medical Fellowship as part of the anti-right movement in the UK.

Background

The movement’s earliest predecessor was the Christian Medical Association (CMA), established in 1854 by physician William Golding Bird. That organization dissolved in 1871, and the Medical Prayer Union (MPU), founded in 1874, became the principal organization supporting Christian physicians in the UK.

In 1949, Graduates Fellowship of the Inter-Varsity Fellowship and Medical Prayer Union merged to form Christian Medical Fellowship. They launched newsletters The Christian Heritage in Medicine in 1951 and In the Service of Medicine in 1953. CMF helped created the International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA) in 1986.

In 2004, CMF merged with the Medical Missionary Association, and in 2014, they merged with Christian Nurses and Midwives.

CMF currently reports around 5,000 members across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Anti-trans activism

Although they had published materials on transgender topics earlier, starting in 2016 the frequency increased.

Their positions include:

  • CMF argues that humans are created as male or female and that biological sex is an objective reality that cannot be changed by social transition, hormones, or surgery.
  • CMF recognizes gender dysphoria as a real source of psychological distress rather than a voluntary choice or moral failing. It encourages healthcare professionals and churches to respond with empathy, respect, and pastoral care
  • CMF questions whether hormones and gender-affirming surgeries address the underlying causes of gender dysphoria.
  • CMF has opposed the routine use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical interventions for minors.
  • CMF rejects what it calls “transgender ideology” while encouraging Christians to separate disagreement with gender identity concepts from the treatment of individual transgender people.

People

Trustees

  • Katherine Aiken
  • Alana Atkinson
  • Matt Baines
  • Paula Busuulwa
  • David Evans
  • Timothy James
  • Ellie McBain
  • Steff McRoy
  • Howard Lyons
  • Robert Moots
  • Ovril Tomlinson

Staff

  • Mark Pickering: CEO
  • Sharon Green: Executive Assistant to the CEO
  • Felicia Wong: Deputy Chief Executive
  • Katie Lau: Event and Networks Coordinator
  • Adele Pye: Ministries Administrator
  • James Tomlinson: Head of Volunteers and Networks
  • Andrew Jackson: Head of Student Ministries, Scotand, Wales, Ireland, and NW and NE England
  • Laurence Crutchlow: Assistant Head of Student Ministries, Midlands
  • Chris Borges Da Silva: Assistant Head of Student Ministries London and Central
  • Bex Lawton: Head of Nurses & Midwives
  • Gemma Griffiths: Nurses & Midwives Staffworker
  • Laura Aruparayil: Head of CMF Global
  • Naomi Haile: Global Coordinator
  • Susan Mariott: Head of Public Policy
  • Richard Eves: Public Policy Coordinator
  • Ben Daniel: Head of Operations
  • Gwen Gowers: Membership & Office Manager
  • Tina Okoro: Accountant
  • Steve Parker: IT Manager
  • Marvin Gowdy: Facilities and Resources Coordinator
  • Emmanuel Borges Da Silva: Database Assistant
  • Steve Fouch: Head of Communications
  • Kevina Kiganda: Digital Communications Coordinator

Blog contributors

Selected publications

Eves, Richard (July 21, 2026). Amnesty writes ‘anti-rights’ report. But is what Amnesty writes right? https://www.cmf.org.uk/amnesty-writes-anti-rights-report-but-is-what-amnesty-writes-right/

Stammers, Trevor (May 19, 2026). the BMA does a U-turn over Cass. https://www.cmf.org.uk/the-bma-does-a-u-turn-over-cass/

Maxwell, Julie (2026). CMF file 79 – teenage sex & sexual identity. https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/cmf-file-79-teenage-sex-sexual-identity/

Townsend, Katharine (2024). Serving transgender patients. https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/serving-transgender-patients/

Thomas, Rick (December 11, 2024). The Supreme Court steps where politicians fear to tread. https://www.cmf.org.uk/the-supreme-court-steps-where-politicians-fear-to-tread/

Christian Medical Fellowship (June 20, 2024). Review of the RSHE statutory guidance: CMF submission. https://www.cmf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CMF-response-to-Review-of-RSHE-statutory-guidance.pdf

Horrocks, Don (June 19, 2024). Anticipating the Cass Review? A personal historical reflection. https://www.cmf.org.uk/anticipating-the-cass-review-a-personal-historical-reflection/

Christian Medical Fellowship (February 20, 2024). UK Department for Education Guidance for Schools and Colleges: Gender Questioning Children: Response by CMF. https://admin.cmf.org.uk/e8680ad1/b10f893bb36f607170daf46c4fd375f1a9d633eb.pdf

Maxwell, Julie (July 27, 2023, updated). Gender identity & trans identification – for teachers. https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/gender-identity-trans-identification-for-teachers/

Maxwell, Julie (July 27, 2023, updated). Gender identity and trans identification – for professionals. https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/gender-identity-and-trans-identification-for-professionals-2/ alt url https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/gender-identity-and-trans-identification-for-professionals/

Maxwell, Julie (July 27, 2023, updated). Gender identity & trans identification – for parents. https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/gender-identity-trans-identification-for-parents-2/ alt url https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/gender-identity-trans-identification-for-parents/

Bunt, Andrew (July 27, 2023, updated). Gender identity & trans identification – for pastors. https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/gender-identity-trans-identification-for-pastors/

Bunt, Andrew (July 27, 2023, updated). Gender identity & trans identification – for youth workers. https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/gender-identity-trans-identification-for-youth-workers-2/ alt url https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/gender-identity-trans-identification-for-youth-workers/

Maxwell, Julie (July 21, 2023). Treatment of Gender Dysphoria in children. https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/treatment-of-gender-dysphoria-in-children/

Saunders, Peter (July 19, 2023). Changing gender: Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/changing-gender/

Thomas, Rick (July 17, 2023). Trivialising gender dysphoria: Government consultation simplifies complex issues. https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/trivialising-gender-dysphoria-government-consultation-simplifies-complex-issues/

Fouch, Steve (July 17, 2023). Children with gender dysphoria:Is it time to press pause on hormone ‘treatments’? https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/children-with-gender-dysphoriais-it-time-to-press-pause-on-hormone-treatments/

Pickering, Mark (July 17, 2023). Transgender Genesis: Incompatible with human dignity? https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/transgender-genesis-incompatible-with-human-dignity/

Pollock, Jennie (July 14, 2023). Transgender on trial: Court cases challenge ideology. https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/transgender-on-trial/

Pollock, Jennie (July 13, 2023). ‘Puberty blockers’ for transgender children. https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/puberty-blockers-for-transgender-children/

Greenall, John (July 12, 2023). Transgender: what does the Bible say? https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/transgender-what-does-the-bible-say/

Crutchlow, Laurence (July 12, 2023). Transgender: how do we support young people? Laurence Crutchlow explores a fast-growing dilema. https://www.cmf.org.uk/article/transgender-how-do-we-support-young-people/

Christian Medical Fellowship (November 24, 2022). CMA submission for NHS England: Public Consultation – Interim service specification for specialist gender dysphoria services for children and young people. https://admin.cmf.org.uk/pdf/publicpolicy/Interim_gender_dysphoria%20services_CYP_consultation.pdf

Christian Medical Fellowship (May 12, 2022). Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill: Response by CMF. https://admin.cmf.org.uk/pdf/publicpolicy/Gender_Recognition_Reform_(Scotland)_Bill_response_by_CMF.pdf

Pollock, Jennie (June 10, 2021). Maya Forstater wins her appeal – gender-critical beliefs are ‘worthy of respect.’ https://www.cmf.org.uk/maya-forstater-wins-her-appeal-gender-critical-beliefs-are-worthy-of-respect/

Christian Medical Fellowship (May 2021). CMF submission: The care and treatment of children and adolescents in relation to their gender identity: ethical issues. https://admin.cmf.org.uk/pdf/ethics/Nuffield_Call_for_Evidence-May_2021.pdf

Bunt, Andrew (April 5, 2021). The Impact of Gender Identity ‘Conversion Therapy.’ https://www.cmf.org.uk/the-impact-of-gender-identity-conversion-therapy/

Maxwell, Julie (February 4, 2021). Do Not Adjust Your Set: Sex, Gender and Public Policy. https://www.cmf.org.uk/do-not-adjust-your-set-sex-gender-and-public-policy/

Pollock, Jennie (January 8, 2020). Transgender: two pivotal points for the UK. https://www.cmf.org.uk/transgender-two-pivotal-points-for-the-uk/

Maxwell, Julie (October 17, 2019). Treatment of Gender Dysphoria in children – the Tavistock experiment. https://www.cmf.org.uk/treatment-of-gender-dysphoria-in-children-the-tavistock-experiment/

MercatorNet / Michael Cook (August 23, 2019). About time! Australian doctors to investigate transgender treatments for kids. https://www.cmf.org.uk/about-time-australian-doctors-to-investigate-transgender-treatments-for-kids/

Christian Medical Fellowship (October 17, 2018). Reform of the Gender Recognition Act – Government Consultation: Submission by CMF. https://www.cmf.org.uk/advocacy/submissions/?id=216 [archive]

Saunders, Peter (July 27, 2017). Justine Greening’s transgender proposals are unscientific, dangerous & part of a greater social strategy. https://www.cmf.org.uk/justine-greenings-transgender-proposals-are-unscientific-dangerous-part-of-a-greater-social-strategy/

Saunders, Peter (July 4, 2017). How should Christians respond to the transgender issue? https://www.cmf.org.uk/how-should-christians-respond-to-the-transgender-issue/

Thomas, Rick; Saunders, Peter (Spring 2016). CMF File 59 – Gender Dysphoria. https://www.cmf.org.uk/publication/cmf-file-59-gender-dysphoria/

Trevor Stammers (2008). cmf file 37 (2008) – teenage sex. https://archive.cmf.org.uk/resources/publications/content/?context=article&id=2184

Media

the CMF podcast with Kate Still and James Howitt (September 27, 2019). S01E07: The issues around transgender in children. https://www.cmf.org.uk/podcasts/

the CMF podcast with Kate Still and James Howitt (August 30, 2019). S01E05: Caring for transgender patients. https://www.cmf.org.uk/podcasts/

Resources

Christian Medical Fellowship (cmf.org.uk)

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