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“Angus Fox” / Alasdair Gunn vs. transgender people

Alasdair Gunn is an English anti-transgender extremist living in Ireland. Gunn, originally hiding behind the pseudonym “Angus Fox,” has served as Vice Director of anti-trans hate group Genspect.

Background

Gunn is reportedly a translator and linguistics researcher who has been credited in some academic texts. Gunn identifies as gay and is a cancer survivor.

Anti-trans activism

Gunn, using the name “Angus Fox,” published a series of anti-trans articles for Quillette called “When Sons Become Daughters.”

The Texas Tribune reported on a 2023 chat log leak posted on Daily Dot where Gunn said:

“The key point here is: eyes on the prize! We have to stop child transitions. On those over 25 we say little, because it’s not in YOUR interests to mention this. We have to break through to the policymakers who are left of center, and the way to do that is to focus relentlessly on the problem of transition for under 25s.”

Gunn, who uses the pseudonym Angus Fox, talked about speaking with Quentin van Meter, the president of the Southern Poverty Law Center-designated hate group the American College of Pediatrics (ACPeds):

“The endocrinologist Quentin Van Meter sees a difference between the boys and girls he has treated. He said I could quote him on this,” Gunn said. 

In one conversation about ideology, Gunn says, “I’m a huge Bilek fan.” He elaborated, “Gender ideology is only possible if you believe that there is a consciousness which is not just a product of biochemistry, but its own entity.”

Jennifer Bilek has put forth a conspiracy theory claiming that Jewish billionaires are are engaging in a transhumanist plot by funding the transgender rights movement.

In 2023 Gunn was a key author of a “Gender Framework” document drafted by Genspect’s Killarney Group. It is intended to be an alternative to the WPATH Standards of Care.

In May 2023, Gunn commended anti-trans activist Hadley Freeman for a piece in The Times titled “Welcome to the doctors’ resistance,” which promotes anti-trans group Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender.

I was heartened by Freeman’s piece about the medical professionals group the Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender (CAN-SG). It’s good to see this thorny subject tackled with compassion and heart.

Like CAN-SG, we are concerned about the culture of fear created by spurious accusations of transphobia. The fact is, the medicalised approach to gender care is not working. It is time to consider alternatives. This group can bring experience and integrity to a sector in crisis. We’re lucky to have it.
Alasdair Gunn, vice-director, Genspect, Tipperary

Gunn frequently collaborates with other anti-trans activists and is a regular guest on Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce.

References

O’Malley, Stella (May 29, 2025). When You’re Gender-Critical – and You’re Woke. Genspect https://genspect.org/when-youre-gender-critical-and-youre-woke/

Downen, Robert (August 21, 2024). Rep. Shawn Thierry joins anti-trans policy group after losing Democratic primary. Texas Tribune https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/21/shawn-thierry-lgbtq-gender-transitioning-care-genspect/

Piper, Ernie (July 25, 2023). EXCLUSIVE: ‘Focus relentlessly on under 25’: Leaked chats reveal influential gender-critical group’s plan to use children to push for bans on transitioning Daily Dot https://www.dailydot.com/debug/genspect/ [archive]

Mannisto, Jessie (July 22, 2021). A Fresh Perspective on Gender: An Interview with Angus Fox of Genspect. Third Factor https://www.thirdfactor.org/angus-fox-genspect/

Selected anti-trans writing by Gunn

Gunn, Alasdair and others (May 14, 2023). Letters: ‘Inclusive’ language is misogyny in disguise. The Times https://www.thetimes.com/comment/letters-to-editor/article/inclusive-language-is-misogyny-in-disguise-kr8068xz2

“Angus Fox” (June 18, 2021). When Sons Become Daughters: It’s Time to Admit That Reflexive ‘Affirmation’ Has Been a Mistake. Quillette https://quillette.com/2021/06/18/when-sons-become-daughters-its-time-to-admit-that-reflexive-affirmation-has-been-a-mistake/

“Angus Fox” (June 7, 2021). When Sons Become Daughters, Part VI: Asexuality, Intelligence, and the Trans Co-Option of Intersex Discourse. Quillette https://quillette.com/2021/06/07/when-sons-become-daughters-part-vi-asexuality-intelligence-and-the-trans-co-option-of-intersex-discourse/

“Angus Fox” (May 11, 2021). When Sons Become Daughters, Part V: The Links Between Trans Identity, Gifted Minds, Categorical Thinking—And Anime. Quillette https://quillette.com/2021/05/11/when-sons-become-daughters-part-v-the-links-between-trans-identity-gifted-minds-categorical-thinking-and-anime/

“Angus Fox” (April 21, 2021). When Sons Become Daughters, Part IV: Parents of Transitioning Boys Speak Out on Their Own Suffering. Quillette https://quillette.com/2021/04/21/when-sons-become-daughters-part-iv-parents-of-transitioning-boys-speak-out-on-their-own-suffering/

“Angus Fox” (April 12, 2021). When Sons Become Daughters, Part III: Parents of Transitioning Boys Speak Out on Their Own Suffering. Quillette https://quillette.com/2021/04/12/when-sons-become-daughters-part-iii-parents-of-transitioning-boys-speak-out-on-their-own-suffering/

“Angus Fox” (April 6, 2021). When Sons Become Daughters, Part II: Parents of Transitioning Boys Speak Out on Their Own Suffering. Quillette https://quillette.com/2021/04/06/when-sons-become-daughters-part-ii-parents-of-transitioning-boys-speak-out-on-their-own-suffering/

“Angus Fox” (April 2, 2021). When Sons Become Daughters: Parents of Transitioning Boys Speak Out on Their Own Suffering. Quillette https://quillette.com/2021/04/02/when-sons-become-daughters-parents-of-transitioning-boys-speak-out-on-their-own-suffering/

Media

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce and Alasdair Gunn (April 14, 2025). Alasdair Gunn: Life After Cancer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvNmZMOlQV8

Genspect Australia/NewZealand (March 2, 2024). Alasdair Gunn in Conversation with parents from New Zealand and Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0juLCZWKUV4

Genspect with Joe Burgo and Alasdair Gunn (January 13, 2024). AusNZ Webinar: Introducing the Genspect Gender Framework with Alasdair Gunn and Joe Burgo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUsJq4OTcsY

Epoch Times with Jan Jekielek (August 17, 2023). How the Gender Industry Has Parasitized People’s Emotions. https://www.theepochtimes.com/epochtv/how-the-gender-industry-has-parasitized-peoples-emotions-alasdair-gunn-on-the-spike-in-teens-seeking-to-transition-5470406

Genspect (August 5, 2023). The Bigger Picture Conference: Normalising Excellence in Healthcare with Alasdair Gunn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WEpdtgy-fk

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce, “Eliza Mondegreen,” and Alasdair Gunn (June 13, 2023). So Over The Rainbow | with Alasdair Gunn & Eliza Mondegreen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCpKJ9DXavk

Heterodorx with Nina Paley, Corinna Cohn, and Alasdair Gunn (May 25, 2023). Episode 100: Alasdair Gunn: It’s Fun To Play Scrabble With A Linguist. https://heterodorx.com/podcast/episode-100-alasdair-gunn-its-fun-to-play-scrabble-with-a-linguist/

Genspect with Maya Forstater, Helen Joyce, Stella O’Malley, Alasdair Gunn and Malcolm Clark (May 24, 2023). The Importance of Pronouns and Compelled Speech – Panel Debate Moderated by Alasdair Gunn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY1TSWPr97E

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce, Stella O’Malley, and Alasdair Gunn (May 3, 2023). Winning the Gender War | with Stella & Alasdair (On Location in Ireland). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVRSdGpdWCQ

Gender: A Wider Lens with Stella O’Malley, Sasha Ayad, Joe Bargo, and Alasdair Gunn (Mar 31, 2023). EPISODE 108: Genspect Vision: The Bigger Picture w/ Joe Burgo & Alasdair Gunn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsgKL2_ty6I

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce, Joe Burgo, and Alasdair Gunn (March 13, 2023). Announcing: Genspect’s “The Bigger Picture” Conference | with Joseph Burgo & Alasdair Gunn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKn3uraXQ-s

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce, Joe Burgo, and Alasdair Gunn (January 5, 2023). A Masculine Calmversation with Joe Burgo and Alasdair Gunn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB9mtWnhlxc

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce and Alasdair Gunn (December 22, 2022). Life, Death, & Everything Else | with Alasdair Gunn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpXJ4eo5b_A

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce and “Angus Fox” (September 24, 2022). The Secret Life of Angus Fox. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZqMRDk05RQ

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce and “Angus Fox” (November 27, 2021). Ballads of Gender Banditry | with Angus Fox. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78shDBe4j74

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce and “Angus Fox” (July 11, 2021). Over the Rainbow | with Claire Graham & Angus Fox. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqB-ePn97Qk

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce and “Angus Fox” (June 3, 2021). The Lost Boys of Genderland | with Angus Fox. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78XZCuRsDKs

Gender: A Wider Lens with Stella O’Malley, Sasha Ayad, and “Angus Fox” (April 30, 2021). EPISODE 21 – Gender Dysphoria in Males: Part 2 – A Conversation with Angus Fox. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8VdySAopgs

Resources

Conservative Home (conservativehome.com)

X/Twitter (x.com)

Quillette (quillette.com)

Etsy (etsy.com)