Excellent writing, Chloe Cole! Please know that many of us care about you and your sisters. I salute you for making the courageous step to speak out under the auspices of an imperfect politician, as so many find, it is your only platform, your sole method to get the word out. While so many politicians do not choose words carefully, you clearly worked to tell your story clearly, concisely, without losing your composure. You have my admiration.
I hope you find a life of joyous physical activity out in nature, as you heal your mind and body. The reason the woke ideologists attack you so fiercely is your very life (like mine, but I'm the trans widow perspective) brings to light the instability of the dysphoria diagnosis and the fallacies of "affirmation." I tell you, your words are probably giving someone the courage to detransition on a daily basis. You are literally saving the skeletal integrity of countless others. Brava.
I just posted a comprehensive paper on my blog, uteheggengrasswidow.wordpress.com, from a writer at refpac.org, with references to all of the known research questioning the dangerous policies of WPATH, an organization with deep, deep conflicts of interests.
I thank you, Miss Cole.
Ute Heggen, author, In the Curated Woods, True Tales from a Grass Widow (iuniverse, 2022)
Hi Chloe I watched your speech and it brought tears to my eyes. I am horrified by what you have been through and so enormously impressed by your courage and your skill at not just public speaking but oratory. I hope things go well for you in future - with your courage and talent, they surely must.
Beautiful work. Your courage is inspiring. Trans ideology seems to me to be related to transhumanism, which is anti-human and genocidal. It is a sign of a profoundly ill society that our medical industry has such enthusism for atrocities against children.
"Gender-affirmation surgery" is likely to go into the annals as a classic case of medical scandals to match the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, and as a "Big Lie" to match the worst of Hitler's contributions.
Nice to see some evidence that the tide is starting to turn, largely through the efforts of people like yourself who were and are willing to take a stand, to call a spade a shovel.
And like the lobotomies performed in early last century. A practice that now casts shame on medical community. Add mutilation of children and troubled adults to the list of medical sins committed by medical community.
Good point about the lobotomies, something I'd forgotten about.
Though I had brought it up recently in a comment at the somewhat misnamed "International Skeptics Forum" where I had said:
"My point was that at one time the 'pathologizing of homosexuality', and viewing 'prefrontal lobotomy as a means to improve the hospital adjustment of chronic psychotic patients' was seen as gospel truth there at the APA [American Psychological Association]":
When the dust finally settles - soon, one hopes - on the transgender clusterfuck, I rather doubt most "psychologists" - or even many so-called doctors - are going to survive with their reputations intact. Relative to the former, I'm reminded of a quip to the effect that the success rate for their "ministrations" is not much better than that for African witch doctors ... 😉
The problem is medical schools are teaching med students that sex is a spectrum. I don’t understand how they reconcile that with biology and human anatomy that is binary, either male or female. These future doctors will affirm patients’ self -diagnosis, adding to the number of people hurt by this ideology.
I personally don’t believe there is a trans condition. Rather, I think it is a form of mental illness, based on delusion that is affirmed by society at this point.
I see similarities between trans surgeries and self harm. No responsible person would affirm a teen who harms herself. We would never tell her that the coping skill she uses to relieve her deep stress is legitimate. And we would never give her a razor to further harm herself. The surgeries/mutilations performed by doctors on vulnerable people are, in essence, outsourced self-harm.
Hadn't heard anything about any medical schools doing so, though wouldn't be surprised. Reminds me of this article from the Yale School of Medicine, the title of which is, in part, "Every Cell Has a Sex: ...":
On a quick skim, it's an otherwise decent article, but the title at least is so much arrant nonsense since cells only have chromosomes (karyotypes) while only bodies have a sex.
But redefining the sexes seems to be a growth industry these days - almost as bad as the transloonie nutcases with their hundreds if not thousands of genders. ICYMI, an article at the sadly misnamed "Science-based Medicine" (SBM) which peddles their own spectrumist claptrap:
But the problem seems to be that most people don't realize that there is no intrinsic meaning to "male" and "female" - the words are just labels for some more or less arbitrary collections of various traits with some connection to reproduction. Why the SBM contribution basically throws everything but the kitchen sink into the mix - a bloody joke from square one.
However, Colin, along with Emma Hilton and Heather Heying, is more or less guilty of the same "crime": a rather self-serving and quite unscientific "collection" of his own. Even if it may match "folk biology". But see the letter they had published in the UK Times - hardly a peer-reviewed biology journal:
They are basically turning each sex into a trinary, into a spectrum of three; they too are denying any requirement for actual reproductive ability. For example, pre-functional males, functional males, and post-functional males.
However, the standard biological definitions are based on function only. To have a sex is to have functional gonads of either of two types; those with neither are therefore sexless. For examples, see the Glossary in this article in the journal of Molecular Human Reproduction:
Further evidence of the ubiquity of that particular definition can be seen by Googling "male definition".
But quite agree on "outsourced self-harm" - methinks dysphoric and autistic children are being very badly served by the so-called medical and psychological establishments.
The witch doctor bit is spot on! It's a cluster of Frankenstein-type horrors only the bodies are alive! They really don't know what the hell they're doing; the kids are lab rats. Lobotomies are a dark point in history and transgenderism will become another dark spot I hope, sooner than later.
But not just "lab rats", but something closer to an abattoir - butchering defenseless children for fun and profit. ICYMI, a couple of articles along that line:
Oh yes, the lobotomy cure-all for going against societal norms and not being sedate young ladies and men. I saw the "Frances Farmer Story" and I saw her on "The Johnny Carson Show;" the woman was devoid of emotion, yikes! And don't forget Eugenics and Hitler's medical staff experimenting on Jewish children, especially twins! And now this transgender madness! Socrates must be rolling in his grave!
I am thankful you decided to speak out! You're a hero to many and are terrifying to the sick and demented people pushing this death cult! God bless you Chloe ❤️
Thank you for this thoughtful, courageous essay. I commend you on your maturity, bravery, and intellectual acumen. You are both an inspiration and a beacon of hope to other young people.
Your comment that "Much of this gender confusion is based on old regressive stereotypes" is absolutely correct. Many of us thought we had expunged these stereotypes decades ago. They have resurfaced only as cynical tools by which unscrupulous people can exercise power and enrich themselves. I can see no other reason for their resurgence.
Indeed it is true that "women can have short hair and be interested in playing sport, and men can grow their hair out and wear make up." And they should be free to do so without being criticized, categorized, or exploited. The fact that there is this much variability among both men and women is a simple fact of biology...
But, then, biology seems to have been supplanted by ideology.
Again, thank you for this wonderful essay. I wish you the absolute best and hope that you keep speaking out for common sense, compassion, and reason. Sincerely, Frederick
You are such a strong young woman and an incredibly important voice! I hope you know that many, many more people applaud your bravery and weep for your loss than not. Thank you for your courage to share your personal story and bless your gift of eloquence with words. The more people better understand what’s really happening to the best of our human future - young individuals like you - the greater chance we have of ending these unethical, anti-Hippocratic practices.
Thank you for raising your voice to contribute your story, Chloe. Half of my old female friend group has transitioned socially & medically at this point and I fear for what the future holds for them as well as all the kids who are getting pulled into this societal meat grinder currently. The affirmation model needs to be completely replaced as the default healthcare option for kids - nothing less will do.
It's ironic Marjorie Taylor Greene named her bill the “Protect Children’s Innocence Act” given her history of harassing Parkland shooting survivors. Greene has shown no interest in protecting the innocence of children who've survived gun violence. I have to wonder why she supports Chloe Cole. I doubt it's out of any kindness for children, Cole's personal experience, or detransitioners in general.
Greene isn't a deep, philosophical thinker who genuinely supports this topic or Cole. Greene is a right-wing troll. That is her basis of support. Greene sees the trans community as left-wing. Greene wants to troll the left and agitate them as much as possible. So, Greene supports the gender critical community and Cole. To Greene, Cole is merely a tool she can use to poke the left, rile them up, and win support from her right-wing base.
It makes me uneasy to see Greene supporting this cause and people like Cole given Greene's history. That could make the public view Cole also as a right-wing troll, which they're already likely to call Cole given her message. To make progress against the trans activists, we need support of society in general. They not only need to hear Cole's story, but actually listen, absorb, and accept it as well. That's less likely to happen if the public considers Cole right-wing.
We need other politicians who aren't considered trolls of one side or the other who will stand up and provide platforms for people to talk.
Yes, this makes me very uneasy too. I don't know what it will take to get progressives to stop branding all criticism of gender ideology as right-wing propaganda. In today's highly polarized political landscape I don't think a single Democrat or Republican can afford to go against the party line. Maybe it will take a bipartisan, grassroots effort to end the insanity.
Dear Chris, all that is gained from your letter is alienation. At this time in our history, the "Yes, buts" are redundant. Why not keep your political opinions to yourself, instead of repeating trash or making assumptions? Why not support who you think is going to help this insane situation, instead of using this platform to try to dissuade people? Where indeed, are you going to find politicians of the ilk you describe? I do not see anyone on the left spectrum going to bat to overturn this monstrous tide. Chloe is an intelligent young woman who has been through hell in her life and come out the opposite side. Respect her choices on how she fights this battle, it could not be more important. It is her battle. Along with those of us who have loved ones enmeshed in the fantasy cult, we are doing the best we can to end this war. Chloe stated it succinctly in the above article where she calls for "transcending the two-party" gridlock". Why not do your part?
So, you'd prefer I simply shut my mouth and not offer my opinion? I'm better keeping silent? Where have I been told that before? Oh right, from trans activists.
Sorry, I don't keep quiet for them. I certainly won't keep quiet for you.
I don't support trolls like Marjorie Taylor Greene because they're abhorrent. I question myself on occasions when I agree with her upon anything. That's particularly true when the topic is controversial. We risk marginalizing our message to society as a whole when we align with trolls like Greene. In many ways, it's better to not fall into that trap.
As for the left, there are plenty "going to bat" against trans activists. As I wrote in another thread, "Dave Chapelle, JK Rowling, Richard Dawkins, Bette Midler, and Macy Gray are not conservatives." They're all members of the left who have come out against trans nonsense. Today, I'd also add in Bill Maher and Ricky Gervais to my previous comment.
Dearest Chloe, thank you. This is a cliche, so please forgive me; but you are wise beyond your years. You are transcending age, and as you say, we need to all transcend our two-party gridlock. All decent people should be assisting in the ending of utterly evil child abuse. The insanity of this cult that you have met and defeated, has to stop. May all like-minded people continue to do what we have to do to bring this fantasy ideology perpetrated on the world to a close. I have no patience with either party's "Yes, but!" statements, while children and vulnerable people are suffering. Chloe, your voice is so important to this battle. Sending you much appreciation and support and asking my Lord Jesus Christ to bless you. With love and respect, Indio.
Your speech was awesome! You're like a beacon of light in a screwed-up world! I hope the bill passes quickly and will keep it in prayer. I live in Australia and just recently the Health Minister in New Zealand declared that puberty blockers are not safe for children! Now if Australia and my birth country, Canada will just take their heads out of the sand and actually see what's really going on then we can save more people of all ages. Keep shining!
Thank you for your bravery. You are a hero to parents like me with a young daughter wrestling with trans ideology. We are trying our best to keep her safe, but she is angry we are not affirming her. I hope she will desist before she's old enough to make changes without our consent.
I completely agree with your comment. It's very difficult for young people to envisage being "permanently" robbed... Sadly it's only gradually that the reality sinks in. Adults should be protecting young people against these mistakes. It's hard for me to imagine how they have abandoned that responsibility.
Excellent writing, Chloe Cole! Please know that many of us care about you and your sisters. I salute you for making the courageous step to speak out under the auspices of an imperfect politician, as so many find, it is your only platform, your sole method to get the word out. While so many politicians do not choose words carefully, you clearly worked to tell your story clearly, concisely, without losing your composure. You have my admiration.
I hope you find a life of joyous physical activity out in nature, as you heal your mind and body. The reason the woke ideologists attack you so fiercely is your very life (like mine, but I'm the trans widow perspective) brings to light the instability of the dysphoria diagnosis and the fallacies of "affirmation." I tell you, your words are probably giving someone the courage to detransition on a daily basis. You are literally saving the skeletal integrity of countless others. Brava.
I just posted a comprehensive paper on my blog, uteheggengrasswidow.wordpress.com, from a writer at refpac.org, with references to all of the known research questioning the dangerous policies of WPATH, an organization with deep, deep conflicts of interests.
I thank you, Miss Cole.
Ute Heggen, author, In the Curated Woods, True Tales from a Grass Widow (iuniverse, 2022)
Congratulations Chloe. I really admire your bravery and honesty. You have a great future and I’m confident you will overcome your trauma
Hi Chloe I watched your speech and it brought tears to my eyes. I am horrified by what you have been through and so enormously impressed by your courage and your skill at not just public speaking but oratory. I hope things go well for you in future - with your courage and talent, they surely must.
Beautiful work. Your courage is inspiring. Trans ideology seems to me to be related to transhumanism, which is anti-human and genocidal. It is a sign of a profoundly ill society that our medical industry has such enthusism for atrocities against children.
Bravo! Well said.
"Gender-affirmation surgery" is likely to go into the annals as a classic case of medical scandals to match the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, and as a "Big Lie" to match the worst of Hitler's contributions.
Nice to see some evidence that the tide is starting to turn, largely through the efforts of people like yourself who were and are willing to take a stand, to call a spade a shovel.
Bravo 👏.
And like the lobotomies performed in early last century. A practice that now casts shame on medical community. Add mutilation of children and troubled adults to the list of medical sins committed by medical community.
Good point about the lobotomies, something I'd forgotten about.
Though I had brought it up recently in a comment at the somewhat misnamed "International Skeptics Forum" where I had said:
"My point was that at one time the 'pathologizing of homosexuality', and viewing 'prefrontal lobotomy as a means to improve the hospital adjustment of chronic psychotic patients' was seen as gospel truth there at the APA [American Psychological Association]":
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4695779/
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1957-03479-001
Now they've pretty well accepted, as gospel truth, the transactivist dogma by endorsing the risible concept of "gender identity":
https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/transgender
When the dust finally settles - soon, one hopes - on the transgender clusterfuck, I rather doubt most "psychologists" - or even many so-called doctors - are going to survive with their reputations intact. Relative to the former, I'm reminded of a quip to the effect that the success rate for their "ministrations" is not much better than that for African witch doctors ... 😉
The problem is medical schools are teaching med students that sex is a spectrum. I don’t understand how they reconcile that with biology and human anatomy that is binary, either male or female. These future doctors will affirm patients’ self -diagnosis, adding to the number of people hurt by this ideology.
I personally don’t believe there is a trans condition. Rather, I think it is a form of mental illness, based on delusion that is affirmed by society at this point.
I see similarities between trans surgeries and self harm. No responsible person would affirm a teen who harms herself. We would never tell her that the coping skill she uses to relieve her deep stress is legitimate. And we would never give her a razor to further harm herself. The surgeries/mutilations performed by doctors on vulnerable people are, in essence, outsourced self-harm.
Hadn't heard anything about any medical schools doing so, though wouldn't be surprised. Reminds me of this article from the Yale School of Medicine, the title of which is, in part, "Every Cell Has a Sex: ...":
https://medicine.yale.edu/ycci/news-article/13321/
On a quick skim, it's an otherwise decent article, but the title at least is so much arrant nonsense since cells only have chromosomes (karyotypes) while only bodies have a sex.
But redefining the sexes seems to be a growth industry these days - almost as bad as the transloonie nutcases with their hundreds if not thousands of genders. ICYMI, an article at the sadly misnamed "Science-based Medicine" (SBM) which peddles their own spectrumist claptrap:
https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-science-of-biological-sex/
But the problem seems to be that most people don't realize that there is no intrinsic meaning to "male" and "female" - the words are just labels for some more or less arbitrary collections of various traits with some connection to reproduction. Why the SBM contribution basically throws everything but the kitchen sink into the mix - a bloody joke from square one.
However, Colin, along with Emma Hilton and Heather Heying, is more or less guilty of the same "crime": a rather self-serving and quite unscientific "collection" of his own. Even if it may match "folk biology". But see the letter they had published in the UK Times - hardly a peer-reviewed biology journal:
https://twitter.com/FondOfBeetles/status/1207663359589527554
They are basically turning each sex into a trinary, into a spectrum of three; they too are denying any requirement for actual reproductive ability. For example, pre-functional males, functional males, and post-functional males.
However, the standard biological definitions are based on function only. To have a sex is to have functional gonads of either of two types; those with neither are therefore sexless. For examples, see the Glossary in this article in the journal of Molecular Human Reproduction:
https://academic.oup.com/molehr/article/20/12/1161/1062990
Further evidence of the ubiquity of that particular definition can be seen by Googling "male definition".
But quite agree on "outsourced self-harm" - methinks dysphoric and autistic children are being very badly served by the so-called medical and psychological establishments.
The witch doctor bit is spot on! It's a cluster of Frankenstein-type horrors only the bodies are alive! They really don't know what the hell they're doing; the kids are lab rats. Lobotomies are a dark point in history and transgenderism will become another dark spot I hope, sooner than later.
"dark point", indeed.
But not just "lab rats", but something closer to an abattoir - butchering defenseless children for fun and profit. ICYMI, a couple of articles along that line:
https://reduxx.info/big-money-makers-nashville-gender-clinic-boasts-of-gender-surgery-profits/
https://thedistance.substack.com/p/vanderbilt-hospital-cites-parental
Oh yes, the lobotomy cure-all for going against societal norms and not being sedate young ladies and men. I saw the "Frances Farmer Story" and I saw her on "The Johnny Carson Show;" the woman was devoid of emotion, yikes! And don't forget Eugenics and Hitler's medical staff experimenting on Jewish children, especially twins! And now this transgender madness! Socrates must be rolling in his grave!
I certainly agree with you regarding the eventual recognition of these scandals for what they are. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later.
I am thankful you decided to speak out! You're a hero to many and are terrifying to the sick and demented people pushing this death cult! God bless you Chloe ❤️
Thank you for this thoughtful, courageous essay. I commend you on your maturity, bravery, and intellectual acumen. You are both an inspiration and a beacon of hope to other young people.
Your comment that "Much of this gender confusion is based on old regressive stereotypes" is absolutely correct. Many of us thought we had expunged these stereotypes decades ago. They have resurfaced only as cynical tools by which unscrupulous people can exercise power and enrich themselves. I can see no other reason for their resurgence.
Indeed it is true that "women can have short hair and be interested in playing sport, and men can grow their hair out and wear make up." And they should be free to do so without being criticized, categorized, or exploited. The fact that there is this much variability among both men and women is a simple fact of biology...
https://everythingisbiology.substack.com/p/evolution-and-bisexual-monkeys
But, then, biology seems to have been supplanted by ideology.
Again, thank you for this wonderful essay. I wish you the absolute best and hope that you keep speaking out for common sense, compassion, and reason. Sincerely, Frederick
You are such a strong young woman and an incredibly important voice! I hope you know that many, many more people applaud your bravery and weep for your loss than not. Thank you for your courage to share your personal story and bless your gift of eloquence with words. The more people better understand what’s really happening to the best of our human future - young individuals like you - the greater chance we have of ending these unethical, anti-Hippocratic practices.
Thank you for raising your voice to contribute your story, Chloe. Half of my old female friend group has transitioned socially & medically at this point and I fear for what the future holds for them as well as all the kids who are getting pulled into this societal meat grinder currently. The affirmation model needs to be completely replaced as the default healthcare option for kids - nothing less will do.
It's ironic Marjorie Taylor Greene named her bill the “Protect Children’s Innocence Act” given her history of harassing Parkland shooting survivors. Greene has shown no interest in protecting the innocence of children who've survived gun violence. I have to wonder why she supports Chloe Cole. I doubt it's out of any kindness for children, Cole's personal experience, or detransitioners in general.
Greene isn't a deep, philosophical thinker who genuinely supports this topic or Cole. Greene is a right-wing troll. That is her basis of support. Greene sees the trans community as left-wing. Greene wants to troll the left and agitate them as much as possible. So, Greene supports the gender critical community and Cole. To Greene, Cole is merely a tool she can use to poke the left, rile them up, and win support from her right-wing base.
It makes me uneasy to see Greene supporting this cause and people like Cole given Greene's history. That could make the public view Cole also as a right-wing troll, which they're already likely to call Cole given her message. To make progress against the trans activists, we need support of society in general. They not only need to hear Cole's story, but actually listen, absorb, and accept it as well. That's less likely to happen if the public considers Cole right-wing.
We need other politicians who aren't considered trolls of one side or the other who will stand up and provide platforms for people to talk.
Yes, this makes me very uneasy too. I don't know what it will take to get progressives to stop branding all criticism of gender ideology as right-wing propaganda. In today's highly polarized political landscape I don't think a single Democrat or Republican can afford to go against the party line. Maybe it will take a bipartisan, grassroots effort to end the insanity.
Dear Chris, all that is gained from your letter is alienation. At this time in our history, the "Yes, buts" are redundant. Why not keep your political opinions to yourself, instead of repeating trash or making assumptions? Why not support who you think is going to help this insane situation, instead of using this platform to try to dissuade people? Where indeed, are you going to find politicians of the ilk you describe? I do not see anyone on the left spectrum going to bat to overturn this monstrous tide. Chloe is an intelligent young woman who has been through hell in her life and come out the opposite side. Respect her choices on how she fights this battle, it could not be more important. It is her battle. Along with those of us who have loved ones enmeshed in the fantasy cult, we are doing the best we can to end this war. Chloe stated it succinctly in the above article where she calls for "transcending the two-party" gridlock". Why not do your part?
So, you'd prefer I simply shut my mouth and not offer my opinion? I'm better keeping silent? Where have I been told that before? Oh right, from trans activists.
Sorry, I don't keep quiet for them. I certainly won't keep quiet for you.
I don't support trolls like Marjorie Taylor Greene because they're abhorrent. I question myself on occasions when I agree with her upon anything. That's particularly true when the topic is controversial. We risk marginalizing our message to society as a whole when we align with trolls like Greene. In many ways, it's better to not fall into that trap.
As for the left, there are plenty "going to bat" against trans activists. As I wrote in another thread, "Dave Chapelle, JK Rowling, Richard Dawkins, Bette Midler, and Macy Gray are not conservatives." They're all members of the left who have come out against trans nonsense. Today, I'd also add in Bill Maher and Ricky Gervais to my previous comment.
Dearest Chloe, thank you. This is a cliche, so please forgive me; but you are wise beyond your years. You are transcending age, and as you say, we need to all transcend our two-party gridlock. All decent people should be assisting in the ending of utterly evil child abuse. The insanity of this cult that you have met and defeated, has to stop. May all like-minded people continue to do what we have to do to bring this fantasy ideology perpetrated on the world to a close. I have no patience with either party's "Yes, but!" statements, while children and vulnerable people are suffering. Chloe, your voice is so important to this battle. Sending you much appreciation and support and asking my Lord Jesus Christ to bless you. With love and respect, Indio.
Your speech was awesome! You're like a beacon of light in a screwed-up world! I hope the bill passes quickly and will keep it in prayer. I live in Australia and just recently the Health Minister in New Zealand declared that puberty blockers are not safe for children! Now if Australia and my birth country, Canada will just take their heads out of the sand and actually see what's really going on then we can save more people of all ages. Keep shining!
"This issue of child abuse, marketed as “gender-affirming care,” needs to transcend our two-party gridlock."
Well said. This is an urgent and moral issue clouded by partisan politics.
Thank you for your bravery. You are a hero to parents like me with a young daughter wrestling with trans ideology. We are trying our best to keep her safe, but she is angry we are not affirming her. I hope she will desist before she's old enough to make changes without our consent.
I completely agree with your comment. It's very difficult for young people to envisage being "permanently" robbed... Sadly it's only gradually that the reality sinks in. Adults should be protecting young people against these mistakes. It's hard for me to imagine how they have abandoned that responsibility.