John Higgon is a British psychologist and anti-transgender activist. Higgon is supportive of the disputed diagnosis “rapid onset gender dysphoria” and supports “gender exploratory therapy,” a form of non-affirming care for trans youth. Higgon is involved with anti-trans organization Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM), which led to the creation of conversion therapy lobby group Genspect.
Background
Higgon is a psychologist with Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care. Much of Higgon’s work is with older patients.
Anti-transgender activism
Higgon was one of several signatories who praised the Cass Review that finally closed the UK’s inefficient Tavistock youth gender clinic and opened the door for decentralized care for gender diverse youth. Higgon and friends celebrated the closure for different reasons in a response. Co-signers were:
- Angela Dixon, GP
- Dr David Bell, Retired Consultant Psychiatrist
- Dr Lucy Griffin, Consultant Psychiatrist
- Dr Seth Bhunoo, Consultant Psychiatrist
- Dr Sallie Baxendale, Consultant Neuropsychologist. Honorary Associate Professor UCL
- Dr Az Hakeem, Consultant Psychiatrist. Hon Clinical associate professor UCL
- Dr Louise Irvine, GP
- Dr John Higgon, Consultant Clinical neuropsychologist
- Dr Angela Dixon GP
- Dr Madeleine Ni Dhalaigh, GP
- Dr Robin Ion, Senior lecturer in mental health nursing
- Bob Withers, Analytical Psychotherapist
- Prof David Pilgrim, Chartered Clinical Psychologist
- Dr Maja Bowen [aka “Isidora Sanger”/”la scapigliata”
- Dr Tessa Katz, GP
- Dr Ellen Wright, GP
Higgon syas:
We think the current guidelines effectively prohibit psychologists from taking a questioning approach and applying ethical practice in these situations. The absence of a robust evidence base supporting psychological and medical intervention is a concern in this rapidly growing population, leaving significant gaps in our understanding of many relevant issues. The disproportionate increase in presentations of females to services, the phenomenon of so-called Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria, the voices of individuals who have desisted or detransitioned, and the experiences of those for whom existing treatments have been of value must all be addressed in the search for quality research informing best-evidence practice. Such research can only be conducted in an environment that is open to discussion in a respectful and professionally inquisitive manner.
References
Staff report (April 8, 2020). Specialist HD Staff Appointed to Support Families in Dumfries & Galloway. Scottish Huntington’s Association https://hdscotland.org/specialist-hd-staff-appointed-to-support-families-in-dumfries-galloway/
Higgon et al (03 August 2022). Time for honest reflection, not defence. The British Psychological Society https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/time-honest-reflection-not-defence
Higgon et al (03 September 2020). Freedom of expression around diversity guidelines. The British Psychological Society https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/freedom-expression-around-diversity-guidelines
David Bell, Lucy Griffin, Seth Bhunoo, Sallie Baxendale, Az Hakeem, Louise irvine, John Higgon, Madeleine Ni Dhalaigh, Robin Ion, Bob Withers, David Pilgrim, Maja Bowen, Tessa Katz, Ellen Wright (2022). Comment: Review of gender identity services for children and young people. BMJ 2022; 376 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o629 (Published 10 March 2022)Cite this as: BMJ 2022;376:o629
Resources
Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care (dghscp.co.uk)
ResearchGate (researchgate.net)
YouTube (youtube.com)