Riittakerttu Kaltiala vs. transgender people

Riittakerttu Kaltiala is a conservative Finnish psychiatrist and anti-transgender activist. Kaltaia is affiliated with anti-trans hate groups Genspect and Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine.

Kaltiala is critical of the affirmative model of care for gender diverse youth, claiming “What is happening to dysphoric children reminds me of the recovered memory craze of the 1980s and ’90s.” Kaltiala’s clinic rejected 80% of young people referred for trans healthcare. Kaltiala later stated that medical transition should not be available for minors.

Background

Riittakerttu Kaltiala was born in 1965. Kaltiala attended University of Tampere, earning a medical degree and a doctorate there in 1995. Kaltiala became a specialist in psychiatry (1999), adolescent psychiatry (2004) and forensic psychiatry (2016).

Some papers are published under the name Riittakerttu Kaltiala-Heino.

Gatekeeping and pathologizing

In 2011, Kaltaia was directed to start an adolescent gender clinic, one of two within Finland’s nationalized healthcare system. Finland’s centralized bureaucratic clinic has the same problems as similar clinics that have been closed: long wait times, inadequate staffing, and poor follow-up. Kaltaia engages in strict conservative gatekeeping of trans healthcare, writing: “In early years, our psychiatric department agreed to transition for about half of those referred. In recent years, this has dropped to about twenty percent.”

In 2015, Kaltiala published a report about “overrepresentation of natal girls with severe problems in adolescent development.” In 2021, Kaltiala reported that trans youth are more liely to engage in bullying. That year, Kaltiala also published on the reported link between autism and trans youth. In 2022, Kaltiala published on psychological “comorbidities” in youth referred to gender clinics. In 2023, Kaltiala reported on “severe suicidal ideation” among the population.

Anti-trans activism

Sometime before 2022, SEGM affiliate Patrick K. Hunter traveled to Finland to work with Kaltiala on exporting anti-trans care protocols to the United States. In a May 2, 2022 declaration, Hunter stated:

My research has given me the opportunity to work with experts in the field of gender medicine from all over the world, including Sweden, Finland, England, Australia, Canada, and the United States. I have lectured with Dr. Rittakerttu Kaltiala, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and a leading world expert in transgender care for youth. Dr. Kaltiala was instrumental in recently changing Finland’s national transgender practice guidelines, when they recognized the harms being done to youth.

A 2025 exposé in Liberal Currents noted:

“On August 5, 2022, a member of the Florida Board of Medicine, Patrick Hunter, an affiliate of SEGM, oversaw a hearing on new ‘standards of care’ for trans youth. The documents submitted for consideration at the August 5 hearing in Florida included blog posts and literature ‘reviews’ written by SEGM. Ron DeSantis appointed Patrick Hunter to the Florida Board of Medicine in June 2022, two months prior to the hearing. Court documents (pg. 284 in Eknes-Tucker v. Ivey 2022) reveal that Patrick Hunter is on good terms with Riittakerttu Kaltiala, a Finnish doctor researching trans healthcare who was, in Patrick’s own words, ‘instrumental’ in lobbying for restrictive policies against healthcare for trans youth in 2020. Kaltiala is also known to be friends with Julia Mason, one of the founders of SEGM.”

Anti-trans extremist Leor Sapir approvingly noted: “Kaltiala was a major force behind the decision to reverse course in Finland. More recently, she testified before the Florida medical boards in support of their decision to restrict access to puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries for minors.”

In 2022, Kaltiala testified at the Finnish Parliament [Eduskunta] Committee on Social Affairs and Health. Kaltiala stated that medical transition should not be available for minors.

In 2023, Kaltiala became much more involved in litigating anti-trans views in the media, coauthoring an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal claiming “youth gender transition is pushed without evidence.” Kaltiala also wrote a piece for anti-trans publication The Free Press calling gender-affirming care for youth “dangerous.” Kaltaia also appeared in a 2023 anti-trans propaganda film by Sander Rietveld titled Het transgenderprotocol [The Transgender Protocol].

Kaltiala attended a 2024 conference in France organized by Observatoire la Petite Sirène and Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine.

References

Valiveti, Vikas (January 2, 2025). Misinformation Against Trans Healthcare. Liberal Currents https://www.liberalcurrents.com/misagainst-trans-healthcare/

Hurley, Lee (October 6, 2024). The Trans Agenda: NHS shows its anti-trans face as papers keep pushing anti-trans propaganda. Trans Writes https://transwrites.world/the-trans-agenda-nhs-shows-its-anti-trans-face/

Briwn, Rivkah (November 12, 2024). Are NHS Workers Bringing Trump-Style Anti-Trans Ideology to the UK? Novara Media https://novaramedia.com/2024/11/12/are-nhs-workers-bringing-trump-style-anti-trans-ideology-to-the-uk/

Reed, Erin (October 03, 2024). NHS Trans Care Officials Speak At Anti-Trans Hate Group SEGM’s Conference. Erin In The Morning https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/nhs-trans-care-officials-speak-at

Urquhart, Evan (August 26, 2024). Speaking to a Friendly Journalist, Finland’s Kaltiala Largely Confirms Assigned Media’s Reporting. Assigned Media https://www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-news/finland-kaltiala-confirms-reporting

Urquhart, Evan; Kalliomäki, Esa (July 30, 2024). “Don’t Forget Your Homework.” Assigned Media https://www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-news/transgender-youth-speak-about-finland-transpoli

Urquhart, Evan (July 3, 2024). Hilary Cass Repeats Transphobic Talking Points, Again. Assigned Media https://www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-news/hilary-cass-repeats-transphobic-talking-points-again

Reed, Erin (February 25, 2024). Fact Checked: New Problematic “Finnish Study” Actually Shows Trans Care Saves Lives. Erin in the Morning https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/fact-checked-new-problematic-finnish

Reed, Erin (October 31, 2023). Abusive Practices And Conversion Therapy Ties: The Right Latches Onto Finnish Doctor Kaltiala. Erin in the Morning https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/abusive-practices-and-conversion

Koren, Alex (April 6, 2023). The GOP’s War on Trans Kids Relies on Myths about a “Progressive” Europe. The Stranger https://www.thestranger.com/queer/2023/04/06/78936831/the-gops-war-on-trans-kids-relies-on-myths-about-a-progressive-europe

Mutanen, Annikka (January 27, 2023). Nuoruusiän sukupuoliahdistusta hoitava professori sanoo ei alaikäisten juridisen sukupuolen korjaukselle. [A professor who treats adolescent gender anxiety says no to minors’ legal gender correction]. Helsingen Sanomat https://www.hs.fi/tiede/art-2000009348478.html

Ferreria, Lou (March 25, 2022). NHS pulls trans health conference after speakers’ anti-trans links exposed. OpenDemocracy https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/nhs-pulls-trans-conference-after-speakers-links-exposed/

Peltonen, Julia (March 19, 2021). “Kuvaile minulle miten masturboit?” – transnuorten asema hoitojärjestelmässä on synkkä. [“Describe to me how you masturbate?” – the position of trans youth in the treatment system is bleak]. Kehrääjä https://kehraaja.com/kuvaile-minulle-miten-masturboit-julkikuvan-takaa-paljastuu-transpolien-nuorten-synkka-tilanne/

Turner, Jackie (February 27, 2021). How To Identify Dangerous Anti-Trans Disinformation. Junkee https://archive.junkee.com/how-to-identify-anti-trans-disinformation-tips/348508

Coverage in anti-trans press

van der Waal, Tineke (July 9, 2024). Finnish research: Number of people regretting gender change increases. Christian Network Europe https://cne.news/article/4417-finnish-research-number-of-people-regretting-gender-change-increases

Urback, Robyn (April 26, 2024). Opinion: Trans youth deserve better. The Globe and Mail https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-canada-gender-identity-politics/

Feinmann, Jane (March 25, 2024). Transgender care: doctors are advised to return to “ordinary best practice.” BMJ, q742. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.q742

Ryan, Benjamin (February 24, 2024). A landmark Finnish study is changing how we approach transgender kids. New York Post https://nypost.com/2024/02/24/opinion/a-finnish-study-is-changing-how-we-approach-trans-kids/

Heyer, Walt; Bauwens, Jennifer (December 18, 2023). Gender Dysphoria Is About Confusion. So Is Its Latest Claim for Disability Status. Daily Signal https://www.dailysignal.com/2023/12/18/gender-dysphoria-is-about-confusion-so-is-its-latest-claim-for-disability-status/

Schneider, Jillian (October 31, 2023). ‘Their lives were deteriorating’: Finnish doctor who pioneered gender clinics for minors blows the whistle on her own industry. The Lion https://readlion.com/their-lives-were-deteriorating-finnish-doctor-who-pioneered-gender-clinics-for-minors-blows-the-whistle-on-her-own-industry/

Staff report (July 11, 2023). Once a gender pioneer, now a fighter against gender reassignment. Christian Network Europe https://cne.news/article/3850-once-a-gender-pioneer-now-a-fighter-against-gender-reassignment

Smith, Kirralie (February 24, 2023). Finnish expert opposes transgender treatments for children. Binary https://www.binary.org.au/finnish_expert_opposes_transgender_treatments_for_children

Court, Andrew (February 22, 2023). 4 out of 5 kids who question gender ‘grow out of it’: Transgender expert. New York Post https://nypost.com/2023/02/22/four-out-of-five-kids-who-question-their-gender-grow-out-of-it-trans-expert/

Sapir, Leor (February 21, 2023). Finland Takes Another Look at Youth Gender Medicine. Tablet https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/science/articles/finland-youth-gender-medicine

Lehmann, Claire (February 10, 2023). Opinion: Acceptance, not surgery, solution to teen trans anxiety. The Australian https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/acceptance-not-surgery-solution-to-teen-trans-anxiety/news-story/bb18f1f063419b2d477b90f91e5df5c3

“Buttons, Christina” (February 6, 2023). Finland’s Leading Gender Dysphoria Expert Says 4 Out Of 5 Children Grow Out Of Gender Confusion. Daily Wire https://www.dailywire.com/news/finlands-leading-gender-dysphoria-expert-says-4-out-of-5-children-grow-out-of-gender-confusion

McArdle, Megan (February 2, 2023). Opinion: When kids consider transitioning, parents need to be involved. Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/02/kids-transitioning-parents-debate/

Conklin, Michelle; Respaut, Robin; Terhune, Chad (November 18, 2022). A gender imbalance emerges among trans teens seeking treatment. Reuters https://www.reuters.com/investigates/section/youth-in-transition/

Kearns, Madeleine (October 31, 2023). A Finnish Psychiatrist’s Fight for Safe Treatment for Gender-Confused Youth. National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/a-finnish-psychiatrists-fight-for-safe-treatment-for-gender-confused-youth/

Ghorayshi, Azeen (November 4, 2022). Florida Restricts Doctors From Providing Gender Treatments to Minors. New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/04/health/florida-gender-care-minors-medical-board.html

[Singal, Jesse] (June 12, 2021). Continental Europe enters the gender wars. The Economist https://www.economist.com/europe/2021/06/12/continental-europe-enters-the-gender-wars

Selected anti-trans publications by Kaltiala

Kaltiala, R. (2025). Medical gender reassignment in minors – why are we cautious in Finland? European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2025.2533168

Kaila-Vanhatalo, M., Tolmunen, T., Mattila, A., & Kaltiala, R. (2025). Prevalence of Personality Disorder Diagnoses in People Referred to Specialized Gender Identity Clinics in Finland. Journal of Personality Disorders, 39(2), 95–112. https://doi.org/10.1521/pedi.2025.39.2.95

Ruuska, S.-M., Tuisku, K., Holttinen, T., & Kaltiala, R. (2024). All-cause and suicide mortalities among adolescents and young adults who contacted specialised gender identity services in Finland in 1996–2019: a register study. BMJ Mental Health, 27(1), e300940. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjment-2023-300940

Karvonen M, Goth K, Karukivi M, Kronström K, Kaltiala R. Associations between psychiatric morbidities and identity development in adolescents with gender dysphoria referred to specialized gender identity services. Psychiatria Fennica. 2024;55:282‑295. https://cris.tuni.fi/ws/portalfiles/portal/133671569/Psychiatria_Fennica_a2024_Karvonen_et_al_1_.pdf

Kaltiala, R., Helminen, M., Holttinen, T., & Tuisku, K. (2024). Discontinuing hormonal gender reassignment: a nationwide register study. BMC Psychiatry, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-06005-6

Kozlowska, K., Ambler, G. R., Dechêne, S., Almaraz Almaraz, M. C., Eliacheff, C., Entwistle, K., Esteva de Antonio, I., Gómez Gil, E., Hofman, P., Hunter, P., Kaltiala, R., Koener, B., Landén, M., Ledrait, A., Maguire, A. M., Masson, C., O’Malley, S., Raven, M., Ryan, H., … Scher, S. (2024). Evolving national guidelines for the treatment of children and adolescents with gender dysphoria: International perspectives. Human Systems: Therapy, Culture and Attachments, 5(2), 89–152. https://doi.org/10.1177/26344041241269298

Moell, A., Rozental, A., Buchmayer, S., Kaltiala, R., & Långström, N. (2024). Effects of stricter legislation on coercive measures in child and adolescent psychiatric care: a qualitative interview study with staff. BMC Psychiatry, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05553-1

Kaltiala, R., Holttinen, T., & Tuisku, K. (2023). Have the psychiatric needs of people seeking gender reassignment changed as their numbers increase? A register study in Finland. European Psychiatry, 66(1). https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.2471

Bewley, S., Checkland, K., Garner, P., Kaltiala, R., McCartney, M., Heneghan, C., & Ryan, H. (2024). Legal clarity allows the use of GnRH analogues in research. BMJ, q1961. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.q1961

Kaltiala, Riittakerttu (October 30, 2023). ‘Gender-Affirming Care Is Dangerous. I Know Because I Helped Pioneer It.’ The Free Press https://www.thefp.com/p/gender-affirming-care-dangerous-finland-doctor

Heino, E., Fröjd, S., Marttunen, M., & Kaltiala, R. (2023). Transgender identity is associated with severe suicidal ideation among Finnish adolescents. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 35(1), 101–108. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2021-0018

Conservative signatories (July 14, 2023). Youth Gender Transition Is Pushed Without Evidence. Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/articles/trans-gender-affirming-care-transition-hormone-surgery-evidence-c1961e27

Karvonen, M., Goth, K., Eloranta, S. J., & Kaltiala, R. (2022). Identity Integration in Adolescents With Features of Gender Dysphoria Compared to Adolescents in General Population. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.848282

Kaltiala, R., & Ellonen, N. (2022). Transgender identity and experiences of sexual harassment in adolescence. Child Abuse Review, 31(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/car.2748

Karvonen, M., Karukivi, M., Kronström, K., & Kaltiala, R. (2022). The nature of co-morbid psychopathology in adolescents with gender dysphoria. Psychiatry Research, 317, 114896. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114896

Sumia, M., & Kaltiala, R. (2021). Co-occuring gender dysphoria and autism spectrum disorder in adolescence. Psychiatria Fennica, 52, 104-114. https://www.psykiatriantutkimussaatio.fi/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Psychiatria_Fennica-2021-Sumia_et_al.pdf

Heino, E., Ellonen, N., & Kaltiala, R. (2021). Transgender Identity Is Associated With Bullying Involvement Among Finnish Adolescents. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.612424

Heino, E., Fröjd, S., Marttunen, M., & Kaltiala, R. (2020). Normative and negative sexual experiences of transgender identifying adolescents in the community. Scandinavian Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, 8(1), 166–175. https://doi.org/10.21307/sjcapp-2020-017

Kaltiala, R., Heino, E., Työläjärvi, M., & Suomalainen, L. (2019). Adolescent development and psychosocial functioning after starting cross-sex hormones for gender dysphoria. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 74(3), 213–219. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2019.1691260

Kaltiala-Heino, R., & Lindberg, N. (2019). Gender identities in adolescent population: Methodological issues and prevalence across age groups. European Psychiatry, 55, 61–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2018.09.003

Kaltiala-Heino, R., Työläjärvi, M., & Lindberg, N. (2019). Gender dysphoria in adolescent population: A 5-year replication study. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 24(2), 379–387. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104519838593

Kaltiala, R., Bergman, H., Carmichael, P., de Graaf, N. M., Egebjerg Rischel, K., Frisén, L., Schorkopf, M., Suomalainen, L., & Waehre, A. (2019). Time trends in referrals to child and adolescent gender identity services: a study in four Nordic countries and in the UK. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 74(1), 40–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2019.1667429

Kaltiala-Heino, R., Työläjärvi, M., & Lindberg, N. (2019). Sexual experiences of clinically referred adolescents with features of gender dysphoria. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 24(2), 365–378. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104519827069

Kaltiala-Heino, R., Bergman, H., Työläjärvi, M., & Frisen, L. (2018). Gender dysphoria in adolescence: current perspectives. Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics, Volume 9, 31–41. https://doi.org/10.2147/ahmt.s135432

Kaltiala-Heino, Riittakerttu; Työläjärvi, Marja; Suomalainen, Laura (2018). Kun sukupuoli on nuorelle ongelma. Lääketieteellinen Aikakauskirja Duodecim 2018;134(20):2041-6 https://www.duodecimlehti.fi/duo14555

Sumia, M., Lindberg, N., Työläjärvi, M., & Kaltiala‐Heino, R. (2017). Current and recalled childhood gender identity in community youth in comparison to referred adolescents seeking sex reassignment. Journal of Adolescence, 56(1), 34–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.01.006

Kaltiala-Heino, R., Sumia, M., Työläjärvi, M. et al (2015). Two years of gender identity service for minors: overrepresentation of natal girls with severe problems in adolescent development. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 9, 9 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-015-0042-y

Lindfors, P. L., Kaltiala-Heino, R., & Rimpelä, A. H. (2012). Cyberbullying among Finnish adolescents – a population-based study. BMC Public Health, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-1027

Media

Traumainformoitu Toivo with Aster Hedman and Riittakerttu Kaltiala (July 1, 2025). Väkivaltaisesti oireilevan nuoren tukeminen. Vieraana Riittakerttu Kaltiala, nuorisopsyk professori [Supporting a young person with violent symptoms. Guest speaker: Riittakerttu Kaltiala, professor of youth psychology]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EiKiLVYiC0

Puheenaihe [Talking Point] with Leevi Leivo, Rami Kurimo, Sami-Matti Ruuska, and Riittakerttu Kaltiala (April 25, 2025). Sukupuoliahdistus nuorilla (Sami-Matti Ruuska & Riittakerttu Kaltiala) | Puheenaihe 593 [Gender anxiety in young people]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAGnobWE0bA

M-podi with Milja Mansukoski and Riittakerttu Kaltiala (April 22, 2025). The development of gender identity in young people is susceptible to external influences [ENG SUB] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oonjNLf_vtc

Maanvis (July 2, 2024). Paris Trans Healthcare confernence – Rikkatertu Kaltiala – the first doubts about the Dutch Protocol. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oFZfNs0kcg

Tiedon Jäljillä [On the Trail of Knowledge] with Anni Vuohijoki and Riittakerttu Kaltiala (February 28, 2024). Anni Vuohijoki Tiedon Jäljillä #2 – Riittakerttu Kaltiala ja sateenkaarilapset. [Riittakerttu Kaltiala and the Rainbow Children]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upOtuBEx-3I

Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (January 16, 2024). SEGM NYC23 – Riittakerttu Kaltiala – The Evolution of Treatment for GD Youth in Finland. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCRLcFHivmo

Puheenaihe [Talking Point] with Leevi Leivo, Rami Kurimo, and Riittakerttu Kaltiala (January 29, 2023). Transsukupuolisuus ja sukupuolidysforia: Lapset ja nuoret (Riittakerttu Kaltiala) | Puheenaihe 314. [Transgenderism and Gender Dysphoria: Children and Youth (Riittakerttu Kaltiala)] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R3PMDlxXmM

Thoughts on Things and Stuff (November 17, 2022). Florida Medical Board Decision: Dr. Riittakerttu Kaltiala – Presentation and Q&A (subtitles). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13bOdkil7Io

Gender: A Wider Lens with Stella O’Malley, Sasha Ayad, and Riittakerttu Kaltiala (February 11, 2022). EPISODE 62 – Pioneers Series – Adolescent Identity: Riittakerttu Kaltiala. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aWCm6CTdfU