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Oren Amitay vs. transgender people

Oren Amitay is a Canadian psychologist and anti-transgender activist involved in the gender critical movement.

Amitay was a member of the Pediatric and Adolescent Gender Dysphoria Working Group, a precursor to anti-trans hate groups Genspect and Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine. Amitay is a prominent “autogynephilia” activist.

Background

Oren Aaron Amitay was born in 1968, one of three children of artist Jonathan Isador Amitay and Anne Amitay. Amitay’s older adopted sibling died in 2022. Amitay earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Toronto, then attended York University, earning a master’s degree in 1999 and a doctorate in 2006. Since 2000, Amitay has taught at Ryerson University. Since 2008, Amitay has had a private clinical practice.

Amitay and spouse have three children.

Professional misconduct

According to Robert Cribb of the University of Toronto Investigative Journalism Bureau, Amitay “has been disciplined and found guilty of professional misconduct multiple times by professional governing bodies.”

In 2020, The College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario found Amitay to have practiced in a “disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional” manner:

A Hearing was held on August 24, 2020. The Discipline Committee panel made findings of professional misconduct with respect to Dr. Amitay’s failure to adhere to a Specified Continuing Education or Remediation Program (SCERP) ordered by the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC). The panel found that Dr. Amitay engaged in conduct or performed an act, in the course of practising the profession, that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional, contrary to section 1, paragraph 34 of the Professional Misconduct Regulation (O.Reg. 801/93).

The panel imposed an Order, which included a reprimand by video conference, that Dr. Amitay successfully complete the SCERP as ordered by the ICRC on December 23, 2015. The panel also ordered that Dr. Amitay complete a one-on-one course on governability and the role of members of a self governing profession. Finally, the panel ordered Dr. Amitay to pay Discipline hearing costs in the amount of $3500 within 30 days of the Discipline Committee’s order.

According to a 2024 investigative report by Cribb and coauthors, Amitay has been disciplined twice:

Before Toronto psychologist Amitay drew the ire of Indigenous patients and mental health advocates for his online posts, he ran afoul of his profession’s regulator.

Following complaints about a parenting capacity assessment Amitay conducted in a court case, the College of Psychologists ordered he undergo a remedial program in which he’d routinely check in with a peer mentor.

The college’s disciplinary committee had concluded Amitay’s assessment, particularly around allegations of sexual abuse, was not supported by “adequate and reliable information” and warned him to avoid “the appearance of bias.” He also faced criticism for continuing to conduct further assessments without informing children’s aid societies he had been ordered by the college to be mentored.

Amitay resisted, repeatedly expressing that there was nothing to be gained from such frequent mentorship sessions, which he denounced as punitive “babysitting,” according to an agreed statement of facts. In 2020, he was found guilty of professional misconduct for his “ “disgraceful, dishonourable, or unprofessional” conduct in not complying with the mentorship program.

Amitay faced new allegations of professional misconduct before the college related to “conflicts of interest, appearance of bias, record-keeping, and consent,” according to a June 2024 finding. Although unable to reveal the specifics of the case, Amitay described it as an “exceptional situation.” In June, Amitay agreed to undergo peer coaching.

“I fully accept the college’s findings.”

The Real Reality

In 2014 Amitay was an executive producer at Straight Kill Films, founded by Matt Bennett and Matt Wells, supported by Sarah Dawley and Jit Lahiry.

Amitay hosted a podcast called The Real Reality from 2014 until 2017, focusing on men’s rights, evolutionary psychology, parenting, narcissism, and the intellectual dark web. Sample topics include:

  • Episode 6: The Real Reality Behind (Research on) Sex, Love & Relationships
  • Episode 12: The Real Reality Behind Critical Thinking, Social Justice Warriors & Milo Yiannopoulos
  • Episode 15: The Real Reality Behind Big Pharma and Psychological/Psychiatric Disorders
  • Episodes 16/17: The Real Reality Behind Narcissism (2 Parts)
  • Episode 19: The Real Reality Behind the (Evolutionary) Psychology of Fear, and How This May Help Trump Win the 2016 US Election
  • Episode 21: The Real Reality Behind Today’s Narcissism and Failure to Exemplify Responsibility and Respect for the Social Contract
  • Episode 22: The Real Reality Behind the Need to Protect Free Speech and Human Rights for All and the Need to Promote Productive Discourse Between Differing “Groups”
  • Episode 28: The Real Reality Behind Men’s Issues
  • Episode 30: The Real Reality Behind the Genderization of Serious Societal Issues Such as Domestic Violence, as well as Ugly Social Media Tactics by Certain “Groups”
  • Episode 34: The Real Reality Behind Dr. Jordan Peterson’s Incendiary Talk at Dr. Amitay’s Class
  • Episode 35: The Real Reality Behind Dr. Jordan Peterson’s Meteoric Rise as Intellectual Leader of Critical Thinking (Lost Podcast from Nov. 2, 2016)

 YouTube channel

In 2011, Amitay started a YouTube channel and posted there through 2018. The majority of guests were other anti-trans activists, as well as conservative trans people and “autogynephilia” activists.

  • Janice Fiamengo
  • Liana Kerzner
  • Jessica O’Reilly / Dr. Jess
  • Karen Straughan
  • Charles Tendell
  • Kaeley Triller

Anti-trans activism

In 2017 Amitay was involved in a controversy over transgender discussions on the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA) listserv. That year, an event titled “The Stifling of Free Speech on University Campuses” was cancelled. The event was to be moderated by Sarina Singh and featuring anti-trans activists Jordan Peterson, Gad Saad, Oren Amitay, and Faith Goldy.

In 2019 Amitay was suspended from Twitter for anti-trans posts. Amitay’s X account was reinstated under new owner Elon Musk.

Awake at the Wheel

In 2023, Amitay launched the podcast Awake at the Wheel with co-host Malini Ondrovcik. They did a five-part series on “the gender debate” and have had a number of guests who agree with them, including:

  • Melanie Bennet
  • Leigh Revers
  • Eric Ruth

References

Clarke, Wendy-Ann; Keogh, Declan; Cribb, Robert; Thompson, Owen (November 1, 2024). A murder conviction. Sex with an ex-client. Defending residential schools. Critics are alarmed at background of therapists approved for Indigenous mental health program. Universiity of Toronto Investigative Journalism Bureau https://ijb.utoronto.ca/news/a-murder-conviction-sex-with-an-ex-client-defending-residential-schools-critics-are-alarmed-at-background-of-therapists-approved-for-indigenous-mental-health-program/

Xavier-Carter, Breanna (December 5, 2019). Ryerson psychology instructor faces allegations of misconduct. Ryersonian https://ryersonian.ca/ryerson-psychology-instructor-faces-allegations-of-misconduct/

CBC Radio (November 3, 2019). When it comes to boycotting opinions, ‘cancel culture’ is preventing dialogue from occurring: psychologist. CBC https://www.cbc.ca/radio/checkup/has-cancel-culture-gone-too-far-1.5344590/when-it-comes-to-boycotting-opinions-cancel-culture-is-preventing-dialogue-from-occurring-psychologist-1.5345798

Gallant, Jacques (October 15, 2019). Ontario psychologist completed assessments without children’s aids societies knowing he had been cautioned. Toronto Star https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/10/15/childrens-aid-societies-werent-told-psychologist-was-cautioned-and-ordered-to-have-mentor.html

Williams, Cristan (September 6, 2018). WPATH responds to Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD). TransAdvocate https://www.transadvocate.com/wpath-responds-to-rapid-onset-gender-dysphoria-rogd_n_24661.htm

Editorial Board (November 11, 2017). Wilful blindness to Peterson’s antics verges on impunity. The Varsity https://thevarsity.ca/2017/11/11/wilful-blindness-to-petersons-antics-verges-on-impunity/

Coverage in anti-trans press

Brown, Jon (May 11, 2022). Rachel Levine’s claim all agree on ‘gender-affirming care’ is slammed by doctors ‘in hiding.’ Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/us/doctors-slam-levines-claim-gender-affirming-care-fear-speaking-in-hiding

Craig, James Porter (May 29, 2019). The Dramatic Rejection of Liberal Politics in Canada. The Crisis https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/the-dramatic-rejection-of-liberal-politics-in-canadian

Soh, Debra W. (August 28, 2017). The left is alienating its allies by shutting down free speech. CBC https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/ryerson-free-speech-1.4259360

Selected writing by Amitay

Amitay, Oren (September 17, 2019). Telling the truth on trans issues got me cancelled: one psychologist’s story. The Post Millennial https://thepostmillennial.com/telling-the-truth-on-trans-issues-got-me-cancelled-one-psychologists-story/

Amitay, Oren (2018). Complete narrative of DocAmitay’s OPA listserv history. http://docamitay.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Complete_Narrative_of_DocAmitays_OPA_Listserv_History.pdf See also YouTube: 1 2 3 4 5

Amitay OA (2006). Supportive and undermining relational patterns in individuals vulnerable to major depression. [PhD dissertation] https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item?id=NR19829&op=pdf&app=Library&oclc_number=300580569

Amitay OA (1999) Introjected parental perceptions and choice of romantic partners in dependents and self-critics. [Master’s thesis] https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item?id=MQ56159&op=pdf&app=Library&oclc_number=1006984997

Selected media

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik, Oren Amitay, and Eric Kaufmann (October 22, 2025). Cancel Me If You Can: Eric Kaufmann on Ideology, Power & Free Speech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eafwi9tZZJg

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik, Oren Amitay, “Lynn Chadwick,” and Michelle Mackness (October 8, 2025). Navigating the Detransition Landscape. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyCQ-5bF2RU

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik, Oren Amitay, and Mia Hughes (September 17, 2025). Why Gender Activism Without Evidence Is A Recipe For Disaster. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7p2XSEWYIg

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik, Oren Amitay, and Stephanie Winn (September 10, 2025). What’s Really Happening With Gender Identity in 2025? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V21R2z9Pgz0

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik, Oren Amitay, and Melanie Bennet (June 18, 2025). Framing Family as Harmful: What’s Really Happening in Our Schools? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFRVDR_TXy8

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik, Oren Amitay, and Helen Pluckrose (June 11, 2025). Can We Save Liberalism? Helen Pluckrose on the Fight for Reason. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4iibybvy6A

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik, Oren Amitay, and Barbara Kay (May 14, 2025). Barbara Kay: Reflections on Anti-Semitism and Identity Politics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ADCX9MlSPA

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik, Oren Amitay, and Dina McMillan (March 5, 2025). Unmasking Manipulation & Bias: Dr Dina McMillan on Abuse, DEI, and Empowerment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfAWByybP3o

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik, and Leigh Revers (November 27, 2024). Is Academia Broken by Gender Politics? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV541Jc2DEo

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik, Oren Amitay, and David Millard Haskell (March 13, 2024). Dissenting Dialogues: David Millard Haskell on DEI, Freedom of Expression, and Societal Shifts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzWOipZvxI0

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik, Oren Amitay, and Warren Smith (March 6, 2024). Unpacking Critical Thinking: Can Questions Change the World? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THMEd00MwT4

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik, Oren Amitay, and Chanel Pfahl (November 29, 2023). Standing Up in Education: Chanel Pfahl’s Crusade Against Ideology | Awake at the Wheel Ep 39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LjLNrsl2zQ

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik, Oren Amitay, “Taylor Reece,” and Brandon Showalter (September 20, 2023). Exploring Transgender Identities: A Look Inside ‘Dead Name’ Documentary | Awake at the Wheel Ep 29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UDW5RxyT6U

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik, Oren Amitay, and “Phil Illy” (June 21, 2023). Autoheterosexual Pt 1: Redefining Autogynephilia | Awake at the Wheel | Phil Illy | Ep 16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmU3a-PcYS0

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik and Oren Amitay (June 12, 2023). The Pronoun Puzzle | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8sl0QMi3YI

Awake at the Wheel with Malini Ondrovcik and Oren Amitay (May 3, 2023). The Gender Debate Part 1: Ignoring the truth won’t make it go away | Awake at the Wheel | Ep 9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAQM7FeQ-T4

Logan Fizzle with Oren Amitay (December 26, 2022). The Opportunity Cost of Gender Affirming Care with Dr. Oren Amitay. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kPPaJ4o5mc

Logan Fizzle / Headway with Brian Russman and Oren Amitay (March 27, 2021). A Conversation with Dr. Oren Amitay on transgender issues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fMDzwO5kg8

Sorting Myself Out with Mercury Black and Oren Amitay (April 26, 2020). Discussing Cancel Culture and Transgender Issues with Dr. Oren Amitay. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNOTtQ7rNEM

DocAmtiay with “Suzanna Diaz” (Mar 25, 2018). Who is Helping “Trans” and Gender Non-Conforming Kids? Not Who You Think… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxVm3tzdxF0

DocAmtiay with “Suzanna Diaz” (March 21, 2018). The Harmful Reality Behind Trans Ideology That No One Wants to Admit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KsfAljD2Oc

DocAmitay with Robert Withers and Miranda Yardley (March 8, 2018). Turning Trans Mythology & Trans “Activism” on Their Heads and Inside Out… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz1nq87wUQA

Calmversations with Benjamin Boyce and Oren Amitay (January 17, 2019). The Ailments of Activism | with Doc Amitay. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0b3c7qEzIA

The Dissenter with Ricardo Lopes and Oren Amitay (February 2, 2018). #1 Oren Amitay: Portuguese Bills on Transgender Rights | Projetos de lei de direitos trans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0QUVkJjnYU

DocAmitay with Ray Blanchard (December 28, 2017). Is *This* Kind of Conversion Okay? Dr. Blanchard Puts *Truth* Back into Trans Issues, ex, Dr. Zucker. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSAKHSj5m1U

DocAmitay with Ray Blanchard (December 21, 2017). Are *you* a Blanchophobe? I dare you to watch the *truth* behind Dr. Blanchard & Trans issues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD9H2QAg7N8

Sunny Mills with Oren Amitay (December 6, 2017). Oren Amitay Transgender People from a Psychologist´s Perspective – The Best Documentary Ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ0eTsylsl0

DocAmitay with Stephanie Davies-Arai and Lisa Marchiano (December 3, 2017). How to *Really* Help Trans Children. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AboihXXHKuw

The Saad Truth with Gad Saad, Oren Amitay, and Jordan Peterson (November 30, 2017). Jordan Peterson and Oren Amitay at the Toronto Free Speech Event (THE SAAD TRUTH_553). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAfs_Wj7VHY

DocAmitay with Alice Dreger (November 30, 2017). Dr. Dreger Discusses the Balls on that Michael Bailey, and the Ins & Outs of Trans/Gender Issues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud6Lb8GLlMg

Free Bird Media with Alex Van Hamme and Oren Amitay (November 29, 2017). Differences between autogynephilic and homosexual transexuals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UXE1zpgvQg

Free Bird Media with Alex Van Hamme and Oren Amitay (November 28, 2017). Dr. Oren Amitay explains what gender dysphoria is to FBM. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiYVReadRUw

DocAmitay (November 8, 2017). Hey, *Extreme* Trans Activists! Have you Ever Thought of THESE People? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLQCxBjgLrQ

DocAmitay with James Cantor (November 6, 2017). Dr. James Cantor’s Revolutionary Theory on Transgender People, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3Ub65CwiRI

DocAmitay with J.A. Brown (October 27, 2018). Apparently Not ALL (Formerly) Autogynephilic Trans People Hate Me or Science/Facts/Reality. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHLPk1JrPzQ

DocAmitay with J. Michael Bailey (May 24, 2017). Hard Science: The Measure of All Things Natural w/Dr. J Michael Bailey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRKmJtKjEqE

Jordan B Peterson with Oren Amitay (March 27, 2017). 2017/03/27: Dr. Oren Amitay and the Ontario Psychological Association. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K6sWYLpaVA

Resources

Dr. Oren Amitay (docamitay.com)

Straight Kill Films (straightkillfilms.com) [2014–2019 – archive]

Awake at the Wheel Podcast (aatwpodcast.com)

X/Twitter (x.com)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

Instagram (instagram.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

  • DocAmitay
  • original url facebook.com/Dr-Oren-Amitay-511167325583734

Gettr (gettr.com)

IMDb (imdb.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

The Post Millennial (thepostmillennial.com)