A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics, found that fewer than 1 in 1,000 U.S. adolescents with commercial insurance received gender-affirming medications, such as puberty blockers or hormones, over a five-year period.
The study analyzed a large insurance claims database and found that only 926 adolescents received puberty blockers and 1,927 received hormones from 2018 to 2022.
The findings suggest that the use of these medications is not as widespread as some might believe. The study also highlighted that no patients under age 12 were prescribed hormones, indicating cautious medical practices.
In response to the Oxford Literary Festival's programming of Helen Joyce and Julie Bindel (amounting to an entire third of its 'LGBTQ+' offering), I have withdrawn from my scheduled session on 'Shakespeare for the Modern Age.'
“Emilia Pérez,” a Spanish-language musical directed by Jacques Audiard, achieved significant recognition at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, winning Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. This marks the first time a non-English-language film has secured this award.
The film tells the story of a Mexican cartel leader who transitions into a woman, with Karla Sofía Gascón, a Spanish trans actress, portraying the lead role. Gascón made history as the first transgender actress nominated for a film acting category at the Golden Globes.
During the ceremony, Gascón delivered a powerful acceptance speech, stating, “You can put us in jail, you can beat us up. But you never can take away our soul or existence or identity.”
“Emilia Pérez” also received awards for Best Motion Picture (Non-English Language), Best Original Song (“El Mal”), and Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña.
This article by Rachel Saunders on Medium critiques the use of data in understanding trans identities. Saunders argues that data often fails to capture the full spectrum of trans experiences and can be manipulated to support harmful ideologies.
She highlights the limitations of data collection, especially in societies where being trans is dangerous or illegal. The article emphasizes that trans lives defy normative data analysis and that data should not be treated as reality.
Saunders also criticizes gender-critical discourse for using crude statistical measures to enforce discriminatory views and underscores the importance of recognizing the complexity and individuality of trans experiences.
The What the Trans Awards of 2024. Best album, film, television show, video game, news story, ally, coming-out, journalist and activist of the year. (podcast episode)
In the barrage of stories reflecting the anti-transgender backlash, it is important to keep in mind the many victories trans people and the trans community won in 2024.
This article by Erin Reed discusses J.K. Rowling’s recent claim that “there are no trans kids,” which has been widely criticized as false and harmful.
Rowling’s statement contradicts extensive research and the lived experiences of transgender individuals. Studies have documented the existence of transgender youth and the negative impacts of anti-trans laws on their mental health.
Reed writes:
Transgender youth do not emerge “from nowhere,” nor are they “caused” by “kids watching TikTok videos,” as Rowling suggests in another comment. There is no evidence that transgender identities are “caused” by any external factor. Rather, transgender people have always existed as a natural part of human diversity.
Rowling’s comments are seen as part of a broader pattern of disinformation that erases the existence of transgender people and justifies discriminatory policies.
It is clear now that the ultimate objective for “gender critical” TERFs like Rowling is the total erasure of trans people.
The UK government’s decision to ban puberty blockers has been condemned by five major LGBT organizations in Europe.
ILGA-Europe, IPPF European Network, TGEU, IGLYO, and The Kite Trust argue that the ban is politically motivated and based on misinformation rather than medical expertise. They say:
The framing and justification for this ban have leaned heavily on a polarised and often misleading public narrative about trans identities and related trans healthcare and epistemologically, and methodologically questionable studies about trans identities and trans-specific healthcare. Despite claims of prioritising child safety, this decision disregards the consensus of medical professionals and organisations such as the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and the Endocrine Society’s Clinical Practice Guideline, which have long endorsed puberty blockers as a safe and reversible option for managing gender dysphoria in minors. These treatments allow young people experiencing distress with their assigned gender to pause puberty, giving them time to better understand their needs and identity, without the added pressure of physical changes brought on by puberty.
They emphasize that puberty blockers are a safe and reversible treatment for managing gender dysphoria in minors, endorsed by leading medical authorities.
The ban is seen as discriminatory and harmful, potentially leading to increased mental health struggles for transgender youth and driving families to seek unregulated sources for treatment.
The Karnataka High Court has ruled that the registrar of births and deaths must accept transgender certificates and issue birth and death certificates reflecting the change in gender.
“With a stroke of my pen on day one, we are going to stop the transgender lunacy,” Trump said. “And I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military and out of our elementary schools and middle schools and high schools, and we will keep men out of women’s sports.”
