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“TullipR” / Ritchie Herron and transgender people

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, TrĂ© (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.