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Allan Donkin vs. transgender people

by Andrea James Reviewed October 16, 2026 3 min read

Allan Donkin is a South African physician and anti-transgender activist. Donkin is a member of “voluntary association” First Do No Harm Southern Africa.

Donkin considers affirming models of care for transgender people to be “sex-denialist” or “sex-rejecting” models.

Background

Allan John Donkin qualified at the University of Pretoria in 2006, then completed an internship and community service at Helderberg Hospital in Somerset West.

After working between Cape Town and Worcester for a few years, Donkin lived in British Columbia, Canada between 2012 and 2014 before returning to Somerset West to practice. In 2018, Donkin completed a diploma in Palliative Medicine through University of Cape Town. Donkin is a prominent opponent of medical aid in dying.

Donkin and spouse have two children.

Anti-trans activism

Donkin frequently collaborates with physicians Reitze Rodseth and Janet Giddy in the anti-trans “voluntary association” First Do No Harm Southern Africa (FDNHSA). FDNHSA states that “children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults experiencing gender-related distress should not be labelled as ‘transgender.’ This labelling pathologises their distress and risks unnecessary medicalisation.”

Donkin was a signatory on a 2023 letter in the Wall Street Journal attacking the Endocrine Society for supporting affirmative models of trans healthcare.

Donkin was a signatory on the 2023 Stade FDA petition seeking to ban off-label use of puberty-blocking drugs, which would affect American trans and gender diverse minors.

Donkin wrote articles supporting the 2024 Cass Review, created as a pretext to restrict trans healthcare for minors in the United Kingdom.

Donkin coauthored a 2026 article criticizing the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) for supporting affirmative models of trans healthcare. After SASOP defended their position, Donkin coauthored an article criticizing their defense.

Selected writing by Donkin

Donkin, A., Rodseth, R., & Giddy, J. (2026). FDNHSA’s response to KL Dunkle et al.’s ‘Upholding clinical integrity and South African relevance: A defence of the SASOP position statement on the care of transgender and non-binary youth.’ South African Journal of Psychiatry, 32(0). https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2602

  • reply to Dunkle, K., Lynch, I., Msweli, S., Addinall-van Straaten, R., Brouard, P., de Beer-Procter, J.-L., Madlala, N., McLachlan, C., Muller, M., Pickstone-Taylor, S., Pillay, M., Spitaels, A., Tomson, A., & de Vries, E. (2026). Locally relevant, ethically urgent: Defending SASOP’s stance on transgender and non-binary youth. South African Journal of Psychiatry, 32. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v32i0.2543

Donkin, A., Rodseth, R., & Giddy, J. (2025). A call for SASOP to review their position on the care of ‘transgender and non-binary youth.’ South African Journal of Psychiatry, 31(0). https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v31i0.2381

Giddy, J., Donkin, A., & Rodseth, R. (2025). ‘Gender affirming healthcare’ is not what the family physician needs to know. South African Family Practice, 67(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v67i1.6061

Donkin, Allan; Rodseth, Reitze; Giddy, Janet (July 21, 2024). Examining the Cass Review: Impacts on gender dysphoria treatment in South Africa. Mail & Guardian https://mg.co.za/thought-leader/2024-07-21-examining-the-cass-review-impacts-on-gender-dysphoria-treatment-in-south-africa/

Giddy, Janet; Donkin, Allan; Rodseth, Reitze (May 19, 2024). OPINION | The Cass Review on gender-affirming care: SA’s medical community now at a crossroads. TimesLIVE https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times-daily/opinion-and-analysis/2024-05-19-opinion–cass-review-provides-guidance-on-gender-affirming-care-sas-medical-community-now-at-a-crossroads/ republished May 30, 2024 at https://www.news24.com/life/wellness/opinion-the-cass-review-on-gender-affirming-care-sas-medical-community-now-at-a-crossroads-20240528

First Do No Harm SA (February 19, 2024). Compassionate, evidence-based care for gender-dysphoric children and adolescents is paramount. Daily Maverick https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-02-19-gender-dysphoria-compassionate-evidence-based-care-is-key/

First Do No Harm SA (January 28, 2024). A call on SA medical professionals to heed evidence on child and adolescent gender distress. Daily Maverick https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-28-gender-distress-call-on-medical-professionals-to-heed-evidence/

Stade, Nancy K.; Donkin, Allan; other signatories (September 4, 2023). Citizen Petition from Nancy K. Stade et. al. https://www.regulations.gov/document/FDA-2023-P-3767-0001

Donkin, Allan; other 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

Resources

First Do No Harm Southern Africa (fdnhsa.org)

Lourensriver Family Practice (lourensriverfp.co.za)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

Muck Rack (muckrack.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

Mail & Guardian (mg.co.za)

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