Dr Cal Horton @FierceMum Twitter profile

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Dr Cal Horton

3 years

Thread of my peer reviewed publications to pin & add to: 2020 "Thriving or surviving: Raising our ambition for trans children in our schools

Frontiers | Thriving or Surviving? Raising Our Ambition for Trans Children in Primary and Secondary...

As more trans children find the confidence to make themselves known in our primary and secondary schools, school teachers and administrators look for guidanc...

www.frontiersin.org

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

6 years

Trans children were overjoyed this week to see @EmmaWatson come out for trans equality. Trans kids around the world are having a rough time & visible allies matter. Trans kids & siblings from around the world say thank you (thread). #IKnowWhoIAm #ProtectTransKids #Butterfly

Emma Watson

@EmmaWatson

6 years

💖✊🏻 @stonewalluk @Mermaids_Gender @AllAboutTrans @Genderintell

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 month

Oh this is hysterical. 2017 @WesStreeting praising @Ed_Miliband for talking to trans people, in a podcast speaking about my daughter, a trans girl whose healthcare is now criminalised with Wes' support. Your current policy is harming her right now. You are not listening

Wes Streeting MP

@wesstreeting

7 years

Oh look - someone who's actually gone to the trouble of talking with trans people when talking about trans issues! It can be done!

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 month

The message is 'be patient, play their game'. I published 15 peer reviewed articles in top journals. The Cass Review didn't cite any. I've spent years researching the evidence + talking to trans children & families - There's no seat at the table. The odds are forever stacked.

kiln witch (Magneto era)

@rosekilnwitch

1 month

The only way we get to be in the room is if we break the door down. We do not get a seat at the table if we ask nicely Stephen it has not happened for the last few years and it will not happen again for many years to come, we must demand our place

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 month

If you ban puberty blockers & HRT, but claim to still offer 'Other Gender Healthcare Pathways' then what you are offering is Conversion Therapy. There are no other gender healthcare pathways

Transgender World

@jackmolay

1 month

Wes Streeting: “This ban [on puberty blockers] brings the private sector in line with the NHS. We are committed to providing young people with the evidence-led care that they deserve”. Evidence shows that blockers are of great help. #transgender #lgbt

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

11 months

I'm in several parents of trans kids groups, that are today talking about their children's reactions to yesterday's hate. Children & adolescents were in tears & feeling afraid, mocked by their own prime minister. We need louder allies. #ToryBullies

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

6 years

"We assumed that all fertile females are XX, however we now have proof that fertile XY females exist, and we have no idea how rare or common it is because it's not something we usually test for" @AutisticMadeArt

Fiora

@FioraAeterna

6 years

A phenotypically normal woman with XY chromosomes and a normal SRY gene gives birth to a daughter and they only find out from karyotyping her at age 52. Then it gets weirder. This case report is GREAT.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

I have just read the new NHS GIDS service specification. I am beyond angry. It is 100% unacceptable. It is unevidenced (and the only evidence cited is known to be wrong). It is prejudice-driven healthcare. It is moral panic-led healthcare. Trans kids deserve better.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 month

Please share: I am a Research Fellow focused on the health & well-being of trans children. I have published 16 peer reviewed articles. I know 100s of trans children, those directly impacted by puberty blocker ban. If any MPs want to get an accurate briefing - get in touch

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

4 years

Kids who have been on blockers for years, who are due their next blocker in days, have been told by their GP their prescription is "on hold", "under review", & cannot access their medication. The level of fear & panic is high. GIDS do not give a damn about kids under their care.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 year

New government guidance is rumoured to include barriers to social transition at school. As a researcher with multiple evidence-based peer reviewed publications on childhood social transition, here’s what you need to know: 1/

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

4 years

Speaks volumes about that UK that a hate group called Transgender Trend has never needed to consider rebranding to be subtler in their bigotry. In politics, in media, in healthcare, even in a legal case, their name doesn't discredit them in transphobic UK.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 month

Hey @wesstreeting , did you know that trans youth who were born in 1975 received puberty blockers. Take a read about a boy called Bram Puberty blockers for trans youth are not new. Your policy is driven by transphobia, is ignorant of evidence, is ignorant of history.

Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

Let me tell you a story about a man called Bram. It's a story you need to hear if you care about trans youth. Bram was born in 1975, in the Netherlands. He was assigned female at birth. 1/?

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

Regular reminder: @Mermaids_Gender helps trans kids find self-confidence & friendship. For most families across the UK, it provides the only safe space where trans kids can meet each other, play together, grow in confidence & self-esteem. Mermaids changes lives for the better.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

It is 2019. And whether gay people can 'choose' not to be gay is being debated on national TV. How did we get here? Oh yes, we normalised attacking trans people for 3 years, and now all rules of basic human decency are off.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

4 years

Mermaids is trending on twitter. Hundreds of transphobes rejoicing because gov education guidance states that kids who are non-conforming should not be told there is something wrong with them. A point that every trans positive person agree with. UK transphobes are bizarre.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

6 years

A 15 year old trans girl, starting a new school, is personally picked on & described as a threat to her new classmates. In a national newspaper. Can you imagine how that girl & her family are feeling? Unsafe, unwelcome & afraid. No wonder UK trans children are at crisis point.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

@PaulBrandITV Please can you change your wording here. You can't say U-turn and he WILL ban and then put But not Trans conversion as a footnote at the end. It's a ban on LGBT conversion or not. This is not a proper U-turn. It was always trans conversion that was the sticking point.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

I've published two peer reviewed articles on trans children and social transition. A third article is due out shortly, centring trans children's views & experiences I would like to call attention to alleged comments made this week by Dr Hillary Cass on this topic. (short thread)

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 month

This ban is already causing significant & acute harm. It is an outrageous over-step into healthcare, blocking medicine only when used by trans people (the same medication is still legal & used for cis children). Wes Streeting causing immense harm & suffering to trans children

Jo Maugham

@JolyonMaugham

1 month

News on Victoria Atkins' emergency puberty blockers ban. Wes Streeting's position is that, subject to the outcome of the court proceedings and consultation, he will renew it and convert it into a permanent ban.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 year

This short thread shares two peer reviewed articles on what actually happens when trans kids come out at school in the UK. Neither article has had any press coverage in a media that is both obsessed with, & ignorant about trans children in UK schools. Pls read and share 1/6

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

3 years

The Girls Day School policy of exclusion of trans girls is a clear example of segregation and discrimination of trans pupils. My trans daughter obviously can't attend a boys' school & has the same right as any girl to attend a girls' school. Bigotry has no place in any school.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 month

Just before the Cass Review final report came out my peer-reviewed article critiquing the whole Cass approach was published. It has been read 47,000 times, without one single mention in UK mainstream media.

The Cass Review: Cis-supremacy in the UK’s approach to healthcare for trans children

Since 2016 trans people in the UK, and particularly trans children, have experienced a sustained and escalating campaign to roll back trans freedoms, rights and access to healthcare. A series of l...

www.tandfonline.com

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

4 years

Wait, what? New York has shifted to allowing trans people, including trans kids, to correct their birth certificate without medical diagnosis. Without a hate filled three year debate? The sky hasn't fallen in?

New York will allow trans kids to change legal gender, after lawsuit from a brave 14-year-old

One brave 14-year-old has helped secure gender recognition reform in New York state, which will recognise the legal gender of young trans people.

www.thepinknews.com

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

"We don't want to harm trans kids - Of course we care for their wellbeing". Really? "Sure, just as long as they don't: want equal rights want their existence acknowledged at school want respect want to play sport ever need to use a toilet ever need to use an NHS hospital"

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

Spending the afternoon in tears. So little support. And one potential school ally side-stepped into being a potential threat. Everything feels impossible. Hugs to all who feel the same.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

4 years

I could do with some twitter love & support. UK institutional transphobia is too much for me today. It's one battle after another. My resilience has grown so much over past years but the challenges & threats keep getting bigger. I just want my young daughter to be safe and happy.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

Let me tell you a story about a man called Bram. It's a story you need to hear if you care about trans youth. Bram was born in 1975, in the Netherlands. He was assigned female at birth. 1/?

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

3 years

Stating clearly for everyone to see - I'll be filling in my trans daughter's sex as female in the census. Her birth certificate is irrelevant - her lived sex (& her passport, her Drs record & her school record) is female. No transphobe action will change how I answer the census.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

@maitlis Shocking levels of hate from a BBC journalist. Trans women, trans girls like my daughter, face so much hate & prejudice. How dare you make lives harder with nonsense fear-mongering. Of course girls like my daughter use women and girls facilities already. But you must know that.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

@NSPCC Remembering when @nspcc invited a known transphobe with no experience of supporting trans kids to a debate. Hoped you had improved. Very disappointed. You let down trans kids like my daughter, kids who need proper support. They need hope. They need to know you are on their side.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

Shocked & appalled to hear of trans kids being intimidated, photographed & handed transphobic leaflets by Get the L Out transphobes attending Cambridge Pride. Anyone who claims to care for trans teens needs to condemn this outrageous behaviour #ProtectTransKids '

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

4 years

1. Emily is Totally Awesome, an important advocate for herself & other trans kids. 2. Can we take a moment to acknowledge that today, in the UK, a young trans kid, barely in secondary school, felt the need to hold up a 'I am not a threat' sign. That should make us so ashamed.

Protect Trans Kids 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

@EmmsyEmma

4 years

#NewProfilePic

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 month

AGAIN! This is the 'risk' they are talking about. There is ZERO evidence that puberty blockers *change people's sexual & gender trajectory. Zero. zip. nada. Purely speculation. They don't have this impact when cis people use them. Also - being trans is not a bad outcome.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

3 months

Fun fact - medicines for depression and anxiety have not been through blinded control trials specifically for 'treating' gender dysphoria. There is no evidence at all for this specific treatment goal. Double standards. Transphobia. And.. (see next post for the important bit)

Theresa ♿

@TheatreSpoonie

3 months

Hey, fun fact all medicines to treat depression and anxiety in children and teens are off label medications! There is more research on the safety of puberty blockers than there is with SSRIs or SNRIs in minors. Puberty blockers don't have a black box warning. Antidepressants do.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

Dear @skynews Your anti-trans bias is showing. Don't ask me to speak about 'children with gender dysphoria who are identifying as trans' Don't ask me to debate 'whether we should be medicating children with sex hormones' Don't put me on with bigots, platforming hate 1/2

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 year

Existing published evidence is overwhelming that social transition is critical for trans children’s mental health, well-being, confidence and happiness. There is literally zero published research indicating any harm. 2/

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

6 years

For folks who won't watch a whole video of US parents of trans kids talking about their experience, here's one US mom's story: (thread) "Our daughter, who was identified male at birth, came to me before her 7th birthday, looked me straight in the eye and said ‘mom, I’m a girl"

HRC 🥥🌴

@HRC

6 years

HRC Foundation's Parents for Transgender Equality Council Meet with Congressional Transgender Equality Task Force

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 year

Two new NHS policies released for consultation today. Both making life worse for trans kids - but in different ways! Yay! A very quick debrief of what came out

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

Let me remind you how trans youth healthcare works in England right now. I will share an example based on the current reality. Let's consider Dan (*made up person). Dan came out to his parents at age 11. That was in 2017. 1/

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

I want to challenge this (alleged) comment on a three fronts. Firstly, social transition is NOT an intervention. Denying a child's identity. Ignoring them, rejecting their self-knowledge, is a FAR BIGGER intervention than simply following their lead.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

3 years

The Telegraph April Ashley obituary is worth a miss, but listen to the clips of her talking about her life. A trans kid in the 1930s and 1940s, who was rejected by her mum & siblings. So many generations of trans kids harmed by parental ignorance. Love your trans kids

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

I've spent the past 4 years doing a PhD on the experiences of pre-pubertal trans kids in the UK. I've published 13 peer reviewed articles on this topic in the past 2 years. I know the literature inside out. The NHS has made a choice to be this poor.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

3 years

On trans day of visibility I want to focus on ally visibility. Don't be an ally quietly in your head. Be a visible ally to trans people you don't know, to trans folks who aren't out or who aren't out to you. Be part of claiming trans-inclusive space, making our communities safer.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

Now in 2020, Bram will be 45. He started puberty blockers at age 13, 32 years ago. He was followed up for 22 years. Don't let anyone tell you puberty blockers for trans boys are new or untested 5/?

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

Following a child's lead, LISTENING to them, telling them they are worthy and loved and welcome and accepted whoever they are, is vital for children's self esteem and self-worth. This is absolutely basic and is not an 'intervention' in any medical sense.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

6 years

All I want for Christmas is a UK that is safe for trans children like my daughter

All I want for Christmas is a safe UK for trans children like my daughter

Bullies harassed trans children and vulnerable mums like me when the tiny UK charity Mermaids was attacked again.

metro.co.uk

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

Having incorrect information about pre-pubertal trans kids in 2009, or 2016 is bad enough. But in 2022? Relying on the same lazy studies from the 1970s - in 2022? When there is a huge body of evidence now available? It is wanton cis-ignorance. It is cis-supremacy in action

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

I was feeling depressed that JK trolling's transphobic tweet has 77k likes. But then remembered she has 14million followers. Only 0.5% of her followers have liked it. Proportionately it's like one of my tweets getting 23 likes. The world is big, transphobes are small.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

4 years

As UK media spin out more threatening headlines, I'm torn: For my trans friends, I want to say - it will be ok. But I want cis friends to know that this scares me to the core. As a mum I'm meant to keep my kids safe. How can I keep my young trans daughter safe in transphobic UK?

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

6 years

@arobertwebb @boodleoops @bindelj Trans children have a rough enough time without this. I have the pleasure of knowing many trans children, including my daughter. Why pick on them? And if you don't mean to pick on trans children, say so. Otherwise you're just another bully - just because they are different.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

3 years

In case anyone is unaware, GIDS have still not put in place any route to receiving blockers since the Bell case in December. For ten months trans children and adolescents, those who were approved to start treatment in late 2020, have been strung along while puberty continues.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

3 years

Your regular reminder that trans adolescents have STILL not been prescribed NHS blockers for a whole year (they stopped prescribing in the weeks the Dec 2020 Bell judgement). Trans adolescents keep being strung along, waiting for the train that never comes.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

4 years

While the UK continues to out-perfom other countries on systemic transphobia, Denmark has just removed age restrictions for legal gender recognition. Trans kids will now be eligible at any age, and without medical requirements.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

6 years

By 9 year old trans girl, Australia

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

The bill passed. Absolutely shocking, & something that anti-trans activists are campaigning for here in the UK. Families will be forced to move state. Trans kids will suffer. Some kids won't make it. Trans kids need our support. #ProtectTransKids

Katelyn Burns

@transscribe

5 years

Today, the South Dakota legislature will vote on a bill that would ban transition care for minors. 7 other states could soon follow suit. I break down why these bans are so dangerous for trans kids for @voxdotcom .

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

3 years

Another day of rage & despair, with a 12 yr old trans child lost. What is to blame? A short thread: Firstly, a UK media culture that paints trans people as a threat & a problem. Looking at #BBCTransphobia & today @TimHarford . Trans kids hear how BBC speaks about them. 1/

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

Trans kids are being failed at every turn in the UK, including in schools. Ofsted chief spreading transphobic culture war. Harmful guidance from headteachers. D of E guidance likely to be terrible. Evidence on trans kids in UK schools exists - yet is ignored 1/7

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

The arrogance gets to me. There has clearly been no trans leadership. No learning from other countries. No engagement with actual experts. No engagement with the evidence-base. It is absolute bullshit.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

My daughter has started having major anxiety about going swimming. Until recently she loved it, & now this sweet primary school child is afraid to go swimming. Most other kids don't fear hostility at swimming pools. This is not complex - Be openly trans-inclusive. Be kind.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

Anyone who cares for #ChildRights needs to pay attention - transphobes are trying to challenge the long established concept of gillick competence. They don't think even 24 year olds should be able to receive medical care without parental approval. 1/2

Quibilah1 🏳️‍🌈 🌈 🏳️‍⚧️

@Quibilah1

5 years

High court to decide if children can consent to gender reassignment. Another case to watch.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

@PaulBrandITV The language of "senior source assures" also suggests you are reassured, and that you are less concerned if it is only trans people, and especially trans kids being tortured through conversion practices. Where is the safety for trans kids?

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

* Note I took ages from fact he was 35 before the 2011 paper was published ('Puberty suppression in a gender dysphoric adolescent: A 22 year follow up'). * His name in the paper is given as 'B'. I've here given him the name Bram, a common Dutch name. 6/6

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 year

A study with 73 socially transitioned trans children aged 3 to 12 years found they had high levels of mental health, with levels of depression similar to cis children (Olson et al., 2016). 3/

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

Affirmation, or 'support for social transition' can be powerful, as it can often mean a significant shift in a child from depression, rejection and self-hate, to the start of confidence and the start of a child actually enjoying their childhood.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

For existing service users who are wondering exactly what it means for their specific care - the answer is I do not know. The overall tone, content & approach is pathologising, out-dated & harmful. I've not yet absorbed the specifics.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

@ButNotTheCity Social transition should not be thought of as something so weighty and stressful. It can instead be a journey of a child working out what makes them happy. A journey throughout which parents and carers and schools needs to tell them that they are accepted and loved WHATEVER

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

In US trans child case, a jury listened to evidence, & awarded custody to the girl's supportive mum. Right wing media lies created a storm of outrage & pressure, & got the jury's decision overturned. Justice by mob rule. An ignorant mob who are a clear danger to trans kids

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

To describe it as a 'powerful intervention' is worrying, as it clearly misunderstands what is happening when a child is affirmed. It takes a hell of a lot more active 'intervention' to reject and deny a trans child. Stopping rejection is not a 'powerful intervention'.

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@FierceMum

4 years

PSA: Don't cry in Lidl. Trying to regain composure before school pick up. My kid doesn't need to know about this crap (yet). She already has enough to face. She should be focusing on advent chocolates, not defending her rights Why do so many adults in the UK fail trans kids?

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@FierceMum

2 months

Pleased to see this being reported. Noticeable how deafening the silence was from newspapers and politicians when it was trans people sounding the alarm based on the exact same critiques.... My peer reviewed article on Cass has had 45,000 views, yet not one UK media mention.

The National

@ScotNational

2 months

John Swinney has responded after scientific analysis from a top US university concluded that the Cass Review 'obscures key findings, misrepresents its own data, and is rife with misapplications of the scientific method'

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@FierceMum

3 years

What on earth does this mean? Trans kids have to see a psychiatrist to "dampen any unrealistically high expectations of future life"? It's 2021 - being trans isn't a bad thing, trans kids can reach for the skies Dream big folks, you only get one life

Live Tweets - GMC

@MPTS_Hearing

3 years

SJ says "Parent and child consent must be obtained." He adds that the child must be seen by a psychiatrist to dampen any unrealistically high expectations of future life and ensure they are informed of limitations for e.g on sex life.

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@FierceMum

1 year

It concluded “these findings are in striking contrast to previous work with children who had not socially transitioned, which found very high rates of depression and anxiety” (Durwood et al., 2017, p. 1). 5/

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

The claims it makes about pre-pubertal trans kids are all absolutely wrong. They are the same claims in the 2016 service specification (that myself and others complained about at the time). They are the same claims in the WPATH SOC 10 published in 2009.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

Rejecting a trans child IS a powerful (+ harmful, and abusive) intervention. Encouraging parents or teachers to reject a trans child's identity IS a powerful intervention. The evidence is clear on the harms of childhood rejection.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

3 years

While in the UK we keep looking over our shoulders at the prospect of a new section 28, Sweden has a trans Minister for Education.

ILGA-Europe

@ILGAEurope

3 years

Congratulating Lina Axelsson Kihlblom for being appointed as #Sweden ’s new Minister of Education – the first #trans person to be become a minister in the country and a significant step towards political representation in Europe!

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

4 years

Not tweeting much as busy having a fun half term. My daughter is having a blast, surrounded by people who fully accept & respect her. Trans kids can have a happy childhood. They need love & support. Listen to your trans kids. Trust them. Love them. Watch them flourish.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 month

It is outrageous that Wes is calling 'statements' irresponsible as though 'statements' are putting children at risk. We are reporting the *actual impacts* on *actual children* who are being put at *actual risk by Wes' policies. Wes is more interested in optics than child safety

Wes Streeting MP

@wesstreeting

1 month

Some of the public statements being made are highly irresponsible and could put vulnerable young people at risk. I know there’s lots of fear and anxiety. I am determined to improve the quality of, and access to, care for trans people. 8/9

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 year

A follow-up study on 116 socially transitioned trans children aged 6 to 14 years found high levels of mental health and self-worth in socially transitioned trans children 4/

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

Today may be a good day to remind y'all that GIDS has long been hated by a majority of trans adolescents, trans children and their families. A short thread of reflections on the day GIDS' closure is announced 1/

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 month

A key 'risk' mentioned in today's hearing on the ban on puberty blockers is bone density Z-score. This is not a real risk. It is something that sounds like a risk, but is entirely as expected. Sounds like a risk but not a risk = a perfect transphobic basis for a emergency ban

Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 month

@TransActualCIC As a child your bone density increases at a slow rate. At puberty bone density increases more rapidly, due to puberty. If you delay puberty, you delay this rapid period of bone density growth. Z score compares your bone density to those who have gone through puberty. 1/

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

My daughter told me she was a girl having had: - Zero information that trans people exist - Zero experiences meeting, listening to or reading about trans people - Clear belief that she was alone in feeling this way Being LGBT is not contagious FFS

Susan Calman

@SusanCalman

5 years

To be absolutely clear, I'm not a sodding disease. If you come into contact with me the only information you might be exposed to is the fact that I hate cheese. Oh and I also hate bigotry and the constant ignorance displayed about LGBTQI people. And cheese. Really hate cheese.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

I'm so tired of cis-supremacy. I'm tired of the UK being a place where trans children do not matter. Where trans harm does not count. Where trans children cannot live to their full potential. Trans kids need us to stand up with them. We need to demand more. End/

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

@ButNotTheCity Dr Cass' (alleged) comments demonstrate significant cisnormativity in prioritising cis-ness as the default, and in assuming affirming a trans identity is somehow a more significant intervention than denying one. Such cisnormativity causes harm and leads to poor recommendations.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

They now give us an opportunity to 'feed in' to a consultation on this service specification. What is there to even feedback on? The current draft has one citation (which is not an original source, and is wrong on the matter it refers to).

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

4 years

A pre-teen trans kid who has seen GIDS for years, & is now approaching puberty, was just told by GIDS that there is no possibility of them getting blockers until years into puberty. Saying they will be forced through the wrong puberty. Saying this directly to a scared trans kid.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

"He had no regrets about his treatment. He was functioning well psychologically, intellectually & socially. There were no clinical signs of a negative impact on brain development. He was physically in good health; metabolic & endocrine parameters were within reference ranges" 4/?

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 months

Labour will cause immense harm by following the prejudice-based recommendations of the Cass Review. Don't let them rainbow wash themselves as allies if they are going to continue to hurt trans children and young people.

Dr Natacha Kennedy

@natachakennedy

2 months

This is unacceptable @AnnelieseDodds & @wesstreeting . At least 15 trans children have DIED already as a result of the policies in the Cass Review. More will die if you continue with this. Their deaths will be on you.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

A second major inaccuracy of Dr Cass' (alleged) words is the description of social transition as an 'outcome'. Social transition is not an outcome. It is not an ending. It is not a conclusion. Trans kids can try out a new name or pronoun. They can later try out another.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 year

The first article evidences the harms that are caused in UK schools that fail to protect trans children. Trans children are often unsafe, suffering trauma at school, leading to school drop-out, & children losing out on their right to an education 2/6

British Journal of Educational Psychology | Wiley Online Library

Background Transgender children are known to face a wide range of barriers, difficulties and injustices at school. Few studies have focused on the educational experiences of trans pupils who social...

bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

How can we critique a document that has been written from prejudice not evidence? How can we give feedback on a document that needs to go in the nearest bin? Why should we?

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 year

I have published multiple peer reviewed articles on social transition. Evidence that is of direct relevance to the topic currently being debated in the media. I actually listened to trans children & their families. Let me tell you what I found 6/

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 year

The second article examines the stress that trans children experience in UK schools. It highlights trans inclusion as an essential component of a school's duty of care. Schools have a responsibility to safeguard the mental health of trans children. 3/6

Gender minority stress in education: Protecting trans children’s mental health in UK schools

Background: Trans children are known to experience challenges in education, in schools under-prepared for trans inclusion. Research on trans people’s mental health has shown an association between ...

www.tandfonline.com

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

4 years

Transphobes are intent on making life impossible for trans kids in the UK. Their hatred & cruelty is beyond words. Social transition & support in school are both strongly correlated with well-being, self-esteem & mental health in trans kids. Please speak up for trans kids

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

5 years

To all following #TesAwards shame on @tes for endorsing fake school guidance that calls a trans child "an idea that contradicts material reality". Tes has badly failed vulnerable trans children like my daughter. Schools need to be be safe spaces for trans children

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

I gave earnest and detailed feedback to the 2016 GIDS service specification consultation (oh, how naïve I was in those days...). Many other trans academics and trans people gave detailed feedback. Taking time out of busy lives. All trans-positive feedback in 2016 was ignored.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

4 years

Today the UK Equality Minister announced her three key priorities. One priority was attacking the rights and safety of trans children like my daughter. Co-opting the language of child protection to directly harm trans kids. It makes me sick and I will not stay quiet. 1/12

Ellen

@ellenfromnowon

4 years

Liz Truss' move to restrict healthcare access for trans young people is one of the most damaging policy moves for trans rights in the UK in recent memory. This was done without consultation, is without legal basis and will be fought all the way.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

Trans kids (and all kids) can learn what feels comfortable by trying things out, learning through social transition (as written about by @ButNotTheCity ). A kid thinks they would like to be called 'he'. That's not the end. That's not an 'outcome'. That's not a conclusion.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

1 month

This is very safe medicine, known to safely and effectively pause puberty for cis children. BUT NOT FOR TRANS CHILDREN Because..... Because..... Because ew trans yuk

rv 🚐

@rinewithoutacat

1 month

So, this thread by the UK Health Secretary is terrible—and those who voted Labour should calling for Streeting’s resignation—but I am continually taken aback by how little policymakers know, or how easily “this is okay for cîs kids but not trans” rolls off their tongues.

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

2 years

We need trans leadership in trans children's healthcare. & we need it today. We shouldn't put effort into feedback on this disgraceful service specification. We need to demand a seat at the table. We need trans voices in positions of NHS power. We need NHS accountability

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Dr Cal Horton

@FierceMum

6 years

Sometimes UK feels hopeless for trans kids. But on parent support groups I see parent after parent speaking of love & support for their trans kids. New parents who have only just found out embracing & backing their child 100%. These kids are thriving. Things are getting better.

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