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When a Child Says She’s Trans: 2018 anti-trans article

“When a Child Says She’s Trans” is a July 2018 cover story for The Atlantic, written by anti-trans activist Jesse Singal. It is about the ex-transgender movement, which Singal calls “detransitioners,” and promotes stricter gatekeeping of gender-affirming care for minors through psychology and psychiatry.

Background

After publication, the headline was stealth edited due to the transphobic assumptions behind the original version. The piece has appeared as “When Children Say They’re Transgender” and “When Children Say They’re Trans.”

People

“Detransiitioners” mentioned

Four critical responses to the piece were published:

Psychologists/psychiatrists mentioned by Singal:

Pediatricians Singal feels are too lax about psychological assessments

Trans and gender diverse people mentioned

  • Aron Janssen
  • Genny Beemyn
  • Zinnia Jones
  • Rebecca Kling
  • Charlie Spiegel
  • “E”

Supportive parents and young people

  • “Alex Bliss” and child “Shane”
  • Marlo Mack

References

Yong, Ed (January 15, 2019). Young Trans Children Know Who They Are. The Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/01/young-trans-children-know-who-they-are/580366/

Singal, Jesse (July/August 2018). When a Child Says She’s Trans. The Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/07/when-a-child-says-shes-trans/561749/