Cynthia Breheny is an American illustrator, author, and ex-transgender activist. Breheny identifies as a “desister.”
Background
Cynthia Breheny was born on April 15, 1989. Breheny reportedly has relatives who fled Cuba.
Breheny was considering making a gender transition and claims to have “desisted” through unorthodox methods.
Breheny is married to anti-trans activist Zachary A Elliott. They have a child.
Ex-trans activism
Breheny and Elliott operate The Paradox Institute, a website and media project which puts out anti-trans propaganda centered on oversimplified notions of sex characteristics. Breheny has interviewed a number of anti-trans figures in Paradox Institute videos.
Breheny was a signatory on a 2024 amicus curiae brief prepared by Terry Lee Fowler and presented to the US Supreme Court in US v. Skrmetti, a case challenging Tennessee’s ban on trans healthcare for young people.
Anti-trans coverage
Breheny, Cynthia via “Michael T” (October 1, 2021). ADVICE: Treating without transition. Genspect https://genspect.org/advice-treating-without-transition/
Selected materials involving Breheny
Breheny, Cynthia and signatories (OCTOBER 15, 2024). BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE THE LARGER DETRANSITIONERS COMMUNITY INCLUDING PUBLIC OFFICIALS, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, AND RESEARCHERS IN SUPPORT OF RESPONDENTS. US v. Skrmetti, No. 23-477 https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-477/328719/20241018182632065_241012a%20v2%20AC%20Brief%20for%20efiling.pdf
Books
Breheny, Cynthia (2025). It All Begins With Two: The egg, the sperm, and the start of you. Lulu, ISBN 979-8988707882
Breheny, Cynthia (2025). Please Don’t Feed the Fears. Lulu, ISBN 979-8988707837
Breheny, Cynthia [author]; Breheny, Matthew [editor] (2017). Once upon a Time from the Perspective of an Innocent Bystander (Curiously Chimerical Chronicles Book 1). Independently published, ASIN B076W286BY
Media
The Red Tent Collective with Peeja Blackbird, Hazel Moon Audio, and Cynthia Breheny (April 9, 2026). Cynthia Breheny: What It Takes to Reclaim Your Voice After a Life Shaped by Fear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVY_AKuVhuE
Moms for Liberty / Unleashed with Scarlett Johnson, Cynthia Breheny, and Zachary A. Elliott (February 27, 2026). Biology Is Not Bigotry: The Science Schools Won’t Teach. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrxadAHfU0I
Paradox Institute with Zachary A. Elliott and Eithan Haim (January 3, 2026). Exposing the Mutilation of Children | Interviews | Eithan Haim. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLvD8yc-XgA
Paradox Institute with Cynthia Breheny and Pamela Garfield-Jaeger (December 16, 2025). Escaping the Gender Contagion | Interviews | Pamela Garfield-Jaeger. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaBB_bTC7OY
Courage is a Habit with Alvin Lui, Cynthia Breheny, and Zachary A. Elliott (November 30, 2025). COURAGE AFTER DARK – November 30, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8kOYJARIqA
Paradox Institute with Cynthia Breheny and Helen Joyce (July 14, 2025). The Shifting Sands of Gender Ideology and Culture | Interviews | Helen Joyce. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3ywIxGcLQE
Paradox Institute with Cynthia Breheny and James Linehan (December 26, 2024). DSD Biology and the Harms of Blocking Puberty | Interviews | James Linehan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WrNTEAzqcQ
Paradox Institute with Cynthia Breheny and Greg Brown (September 13, 2024). Sports Physiology and the Male Advantage | Greg Brown | Interviews. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugrPZXFWuxQ
Paradox Institute with Cynthia Breheny and Alvin Lui (August 19, 2024). Empowering Parents to Protect their Kids | Alvin Lui | Interviews. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqQWUfpQQ5c
Paradox Institute with Cynthia Breheny and Heather Heying (May 13, 2024). Sex Biology and the Nuances of Gender Roles | Dr. Heather Heying | Interviews. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA2tvIqZRx8
Paradox Institute with Cynthia Breheny and Jennifer Lahl (February 19, 2024). The Erosion of Medical Ethics | Jennifer Lahl | Interviews. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QINFlam89Y4
Paradox Institute with Cynthia Breheny and Joseph Burgo (February 12, 2024). Psychology of AGP, Dysphoria, and Dissociation | Dr. Joseph Burgo | Interviews. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1QS85pj5co
Paradox Institute with Cynthia Breheny and Quentin Van Meter (February 5, 2024). John Money, Puberty Blockers, and Pediatric Transition | Dr. Quentin Van Meter | Interviews. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23R8APLZvd0
Paradox Institute with Cynthia Breheny and Alaric Naudé (December 23, 2023). The Evolution and Manipulation of Language | Dr. Alaric Naudé | Interviews. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv_Lbhf5pAk
Paradox Institute with Cynthia Breheny and Patrick Lappert (October 30, 2023). Ethics of Gender Affirming Care | Dr. Patrick Lappert | Interviews. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTN35a8R7DA
Some Kind of Therapist with Stephanie Winn, Cynthia Breheny, and Zachary A. Elliott of Paradox Institute (June 12, 2023). 61. A Gender-Critical Meet-Cute: Zach and Cynthia of the Paradox Institute. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZdMSYZITVo
- (June 16, 2023). [clip] Can “Photo Therapy” Help Heal Body Dysmorphia? Cynthia Breheny from the Paradox Institute Explains. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnvVtnEP9g8
Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce, Zachary A. Elliott, and Cynthia Breheny (March 26, 2023). Dysphoria, Pregnancy, Identity, & Family | w Zach Elliot & Cynthia Breheny. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJgDn9oOs8U
Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce and Cynthia Breheny (April 11, 2022). Dysphoria & Self-Acceptance | with Cynthia Breheny. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur6bL2Z3lZQ
Moms for Liberty / Joyful Warriors with Tiffany Justice and Cynthia Breheny (October 2, 2023). Gender Ideology is Ruining Our Children, with Cynthia Breheny | Joyful Warriors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bkB65c0G2Q
Resources
Cynthia Breheny (ptelephant.com)
Paradox Institute (theparadoxinstitute.org)
X/Twitter (x.com)
Instagram (instagram.com)
YouTube (youtube.com)