New “ROGD” Survey Gaslights Trans Youth

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A recent “study” (actually a survey of 256 people in hate groups on the Internet) by a Brown University researcher claims to find evidence that “Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria” is a reality, and that it represents a social contagion.
“Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria” (or ROGD) is a concept widely (with little evidence) touted by anti-transgender extremists. The basic idea is: “It seemed sudden to me therefore it must be fake or a trend.”
The Brown study is a simple, limited internet survey of parents who were surprised by their child expressing gender dysphoria. It is based on data from their observations. It conspicuously lacks data from the children themselves who say they are experiencing the phenomenon.
The survey was conducted via three online groups. All three of them are vocal, dedicated, and politically active anti-transgender groups (4thWaveNow, Transgender Trend, and Young TransCritical Professionals).
None of the research included asking the population of people actually experiencing gender dysphoria, nor did it include reports from internet groups of parents with supportive opinions about gender identity.
In the wake of criticism of the informal survey’s unscientific methodology and broad, unfounded and potentially damaging conclusions, Brown University has removed the paper from their website and the publication, PLOS ONE, is launching an investigation.
ROGD remains what it is. A fringe theory with no scientific basis, invented by extremists with an anti-trans agenda, promulgated by haters who would’ve preferred we stayed crouching and cowering in the closet for our entire lives for their continued comfort.
It is a way of blaming us for knowing, from an extremely young age, that we will be punished harshly for revealing who we are. That we will lose our family and our friends and our jobs and our homes. That we will be laughed at and tossed aside by the people we love most dearly.
That fear is not an irrational belief. It’s sure knowledge, born out by statistics, our experiences, and the experiences of our peers.
We get pretty good at being in the closet until we can’t fit in it anymore. When some few of us finally bust out — ROGD blames US for doing such a good job of hiding so well for so long from the rejection and the violence that we know will be visited on us.
If a trans person comes out and it seems “sudden” to you — this is an opportunity for you to reflect on your complicity in creating a world where we don’t feel safe letting you know who we are until we literally face the choice between coming out or dying.
