J Michael Bailey15 July 2023

Activists Tried To Get This Study Banned - J Michael Bailey - #654

0Frameworks

10Insights

Insights & moments

The myth-busts, hot takes, explainers, and tools worth keeping.

Myth Buster· 2

Myth Buster00:00

Why the Study Was Retracted — And Why It’s a Sham

J. Michael Bailey explains that his study was retracted not due to fraud or scientific error, but because transgender activists pressured the publisher over the controversial idea of rapid onset gender dysphoria (ROGD). He argues the retraction was politically motivated and has backfired, drawing far more attention to the paper.

The study was retracted due to political pressure, not scientific misconduct.
Bailey calls the retraction a 'sham' and says it was based on ideological opposition.
The paper has been downloaded nearly 100,000 times, indicating massive public interest.
Retraction did not block access, as the paper was open access.

“Our article was retracted because of the ideas and the evidence it presented that angered transgender activists.”
J. Michael Bailey · 00:45

#gender dysphoria#academic freedom#censorship#ROGD

Myth Buster33:00

Autogynephilia: The Theory Trans Activists Tried to Silence

Bailey discusses autogynephilia — a sexual orientation where men are aroused by the idea of being women — and how trans activists have suppressed discussion of it. He argues this censorship has hindered understanding of transgender motivations and optimal care.

Autogynephilia is a documented phenomenon in some male-to-female transgender individuals.
Activists have tried to erase the concept for ideological reasons.
Many autogynephilic individuals are angry at being silenced.
Censorship has prevented research on whether transition is beneficial for this group.

“Trans activists have tried to sweep it under the rug. They're embarrassed by it. I'm not. I don't judge these people.”
J. Michael Bailey · 34:30

#autogynephilia#transgender#sexual orientation#censorship

Hot Take· 2

Hot Take11:00

Why Activists Fear Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria

Bailey argues that transgender activists oppose ROGD because it contradicts core beliefs: that gender dysphoria is always valid, youth are always right, and transition should be immediate. ROGD suggests some cases may be socially influenced, which threatens the activist narrative.

ROGD challenges the idea that all gender dysphoria is innate and permanent.
Activists reject any suggestion that ideology or peers play a role.
The theory implies some transitions may be based on transient psychological issues.
This creates tension between clinical observation and political ideology.

“Activists cannot stand the idea of rapid onset gender dysphoria. And I understand why because it is threatening to their belief system.”
J. Michael Bailey · 11:00

#ROGD#activism#ideology#gender transition

Hot Take53:00

Men’s Sexuality Is Fixed, Women’s Is Malleable

Bailey argues that male sexual orientation is largely fixed, while female sexuality is more fluid. He cites evidence that lesbians are more likely than gay men to shift attraction, and that cultural factors may influence women’s sexuality more than men’s.

Men’s sexual orientation is more rigid and biologically fixed.
Women show greater capacity for change in sexual attraction.
Lesbians are more likely than gay men to 'relapse' into heterosexual relationships.
Cultural and social factors may shape female sexuality more than male.

“Absolutely. Men's sexual orientation is more fixed and women's is more malleable.”
J. Michael Bailey · 54:00

#sexual orientation#fluidity#gender differences#Lisa Diamond

Explainer· 2

Explainer05:00

What Is Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria?

Bailey defines rapid onset gender dysphoria (ROGD) as a phenomenon where adolescents, mostly girls, suddenly identify as transgender during puberty, often after joining ideologically progressive peer groups. These youth typically had pre-existing mental health issues and no prior signs of gender dysphoria in childhood.

ROGD affects mostly adolescent girls with no history of childhood gender dysphoria.
It often follows social exposure to progressive, unconventional peer groups.
Parents report mental health issues preceded gender identity concerns by about four years.
The condition is controversial and rejected by transgender activists.

“A subset of gender dysphoric cases... are adolescent girls who never showed any signs of gender dysphoria in childhood.”
J. Michael Bailey · 05:30

#ROGD#gender dysphoria#mental health#adolescence

Explainer41:30

What Is Gynandromorphophilia?

Bailey defines gynandromorphophilia as sexual attraction to transgender women who have both breasts and a penis — often called 'shemales.' He explains it's a distinct orientation, common in some straight men, and measurable in lab studies.

Gynandromorphophilia is attraction to trans women with male genitalia.
It's common in some straight men who consume shemale pornography.
Lab studies show arousal patterns differ from typical straight men.
Some men require visual cues of trans women to become aroused.

“Gynandromorphilia is sexual attraction to shemales. What I mean by a shemale is a natal male transwoman who has both breasts and a penis.”
J. Michael Bailey · 42:00

#gynandromorphilia#paraphilia#sexual orientation#pornography

Story· 1

Story28:00

Why the IRB Justification Was a Pretext

Bailey recounts how the publisher claimed the study lacked proper informed consent, but argues this was a cover for political pressure. The survey clearly stated data would be published, and parents willingly participated to be heard.

Publisher cited lack of formal informed consent as reason for retraction.
Survey included a statement that results would be published online.
Parents participated specifically to break the silence on ROGD.
Bailey believes the IRB issue was a legalistic excuse to suppress controversial findings.

“She said, 'You didn't tell them that their data were going to be published.' Well, of course they want this published. They believe these parents…”
J. Michael Bailey · 30:00

#academic ethics#IRB#research integrity#censorship

Q&A· 1

Q&A08:00

Did Social Transition Help? Parents Say No

In Bailey and Diaz’s study, parents reported that their children’s mental health deteriorated after socially transitioning — becoming less happy, less close to family, and more emotionally unstable. Social transition was more common among youth with existing psychological issues.

Youth with more mental health problems were more likely to socially transition.
Parents said their children became less happy and more distant after transition.
Only 7% sought medical treatment, but 60% socially transitioned.
Social transition often followed referral to a gender specialist.

“Parents said after they socially transitioned they got worse. They became less happy. They became less close to their parents. They decompensated.”
J. Michael Bailey · 09:00

#social transition#mental health#parental observation#ROGD

Tool· 1

Tool25:30

Next-Gen Study on ROGD: Longitudinal and Rigorous

Bailey is launching a new, IRB-approved longitudinal study on ROGD with Lisa Litman and Ken Zucker — all researchers who have faced backlash. The study will track thousands of gender-dysphoric youth and their families over five years to assess long-term outcomes.

Study will include direct input from adolescents and parents.
Aims to follow participants for at least five years.
Focuses on mental health, transition steps, and happiness outcomes.
Designed to withstand ethical scrutiny after past retractions.

“We're going to be recruiting both gender dysphoric adolescents directly and their families... and we're going to follow these people up over five years at…”
J. Michael Bailey · 26:30

#ROGD#longitudinal study#Lisa Litman#Ken Zucker

Takeaway· 1

Takeaway58:00

Bisexuality in Men Is Real — But Not Common

Bailey initially doubted male bisexuality but now accepts it exists based on lab studies showing arousal to both sexes. However, most bisexual men are more aroused by one sex, and some who claim bisexuality may be gay men in denial.

Early studies failed to find evidence of male bisexuality.
Later research confirmed a small subset of men are genuinely bisexual.
Most bisexual men are more aroused by one sex than the other.
Some men use 'bisexual' as a transitional identity before coming out as gay.

“We showed beyond the shadow of a doubt that male bisexuality truly exists.”
J. Michael Bailey · 59:00

#bisexuality#male sexuality#arousal#research