Brown University and PLoS ONE: Defend academic freedom and scientific inquiry

My daughter is transing to male so I have been struggling with this issue for over a year. Research like this is vital.

I support academic freedom, freedom of science, freedom of open inquiry. One only has to look at the steep increase of young women accessing hormones, and even mastectomies, to realize something is amiss. We need more studies on this important subject of ROGD.

Protection for freedom of expression and academic freedom are not intended to protect popular speech and positions, but for unpopular or controversial views. The stronger the public outcry against any view, the more important it is for universities to support that view.

The analysis can be right or wrong. Or it can direct more research, as it suggests. But eliminating it and stigmatizing it as Brown has done is anti-science and against the principles of free inquiry in which universities should be based.

Concerned parent and proud ally of anyone discovering who they truly are. So long as doing so harms none!

Please support a study of ROGD!

What a shock!

I've seen this phenomenon first hand numerous times in working with kids recently. It needs to be looked into.

FOdase13

This conduct of Brown University falls far short of its quality reputation.

Shameful that activists were allowed to suppress research that disagreed with their agenda.

FREE RESEARCH!

Its completely insane that an established university would bow down in cowardice at the urging of a bunch of loud cry babies who dont like to hear things different from their worldview that might shatter their fragile self image. As someone who is actually trans I am very interested in this study.

Kids, Teens and Parents have a right to know all the information! It is irresponsible to censor this material!!!!

Scientific research can not be mixed with political activism

It is inexcusable to experiment on the physical, mental and emotional development and well being of our children. Kids need carers who know how to support them in developing self-love and appreciation for who and what they are free from gender stereotypes that harm them.

I am a parent who participated in Dr. Littman’s study. My daughter fervently believed she was trans for about a year when she was 16—more than long enough for her to have received an Rx for testosterone and approval for a double mastectomy in today’s “affirmation only“ climate. She is now 21 and glad I didn’t take her to a gender therapist, and didn’t cave to her sudden demands for drastic medical intervention. Prior to her abrupt announcement, she had never indicated any unhappiness with her sex. After spending weeks immersed in online pro-transition videos and websites, she began pressuring me to see a gender therapist; everything she said sounded like it was read from a script. We both told our story for the Economist magazine, published today (“Why are so many teenage girls appearing in gender clinics?"). The journalist advised us to use pseudonyms because speaking out about this could result in massive harassment. Rapid onset gender dysphoria is real. We can’t ignore the girls who are being swept into this and later change their minds. Irreversible drug and surgical interventions should only be undertaken as a last resort. The unfortunate truth is that they are more and more a first resort, at least in the US. In the Economist article, a top gender therapist, Dianne Ehrensaft, compares parents like me, who seek support in online forums, to Ku Klux Klan members. This kind of slander needs to be exposed and practitioners like Ehrensaft called to account.

Political activism has no place in research.

It is academically dishonest to suppress science.

Censorship, is never the answer.