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

Denying people information on gender dysphoria damages their ability to make informed decision

Let science do it's job based on peer revue and further studies. Not mob rule.

Scientific censorship and the stifling of academic inquiry is not acceptable. I am the parent of an ROGD 14yo girl. I would describe myself as left-leaning. It is possible to be BOTH sceptical of the extreme trans activist agenda AND supportive of the rights of transgender people. Parents know their children best.

I don't know how this needs a petition. Facts are facts.

Apoio a pesquisa

This is important research. Hormones are not the answer for these kids. Thank you

4th year psychology student

We can support transgender people AND simultaneously question why teen girls are suddenly coming out as trans in numbers never seen before. I hope Dr. Littman's study opens the way to understanding what struggles these girls are facing that make them feel that they are not girls, or don't want to be women. Couldn't this be different from what makes boys and men feel that they are actually girls/women? We need scientists to look into it. Further information on all the paths various groups take to transitioning would actually empower us to be better allies to transgender people and others with gender dysphoria. I understand why some transgender people would be anxious about how such information could be abused, and it's important to let marginalized groups know that we've got their back -- but stifling research is not the way to do that. In fact, it DOESN'T properly do that, because scientific knowledge is a powerful way to improve people's lives. Please don't let the fears of a small group (who don't speak for all transgender people) prevent important research from going forward. Studies like Dr. Littman's and those that follow could help many, many teens who are struggling with the challenges posed by both the sex of their bodies and the genders they were assigned.

Research scientist

I am a detransitioned woman and an individeual who has personally experienced what this research is looking into and it is important that this be properly researched and not covered up for convinience of a political agenda.

My daughter had trouble getting along with other girls. She is gifted and shows signs of a variety of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, maybe high functioning ASD. Yet she was able to get a prescription for testosterone without going thru mental health diagnostics and treatment for underlying issues first. As soon as she turned 18, she started some form of testosterone, I’m not sure how she got it. The change in her hormones put her into a mood disorder with a sudden increase in anxiety and anger....it was a very scary time, but she refused to listen to her parents. Her admitted motivation for transitioning was friendship issues, she said that she felt more comfortable with men than women, and she had an overwhelming need to turn herself into a man. Even so, why should this result in immediate medical transitioning rather than a period of time for counseling and treatment for her MH issues first? Depression can be inherited, and it runs in my family. This has gone on for 3 years, and her voice is permanently changed. Please let Lisa Littman's report stand as is, it reflects our situation. This came on so suddenly and our daughter really did expect to be met with a requirement for counseling first. Instead her college directed her to an informed consent gender clinic at age 18 with quick access to cross-sex hormones.

Let the research speak

Pela vida das meninas

Censorship does not become an institution of higher learning. Whether we agree with findings or not, let them be read till refuted.

If the study is wrong come out with contending facts not censorship.

Academic freedom includes differing research being shared. Especially if the research is academically sound.

Science which is biased against uncomfortable results is not science. And, it tarnishes the reputation of true science, and reduces public trust in scientists.

Brown University prides itself on academic rigour. What it's showing here is that it has succumbed to bias and subjective thinking.

Leave little girls out of transativism!

Please take this seriously.