Social conservatives welcomed the [Cass] report. But it has also been heralded in some liberal quarters in Britain, where even the Labour Party has supported its conclusions, and around the world as a model of open-minded rationalism, of well-intentioned — progressive, even — unbiased scientific inquiry attempting to provide information in young people’s best interests. This, they declare, is what following the science and the evidence looks like.

But is it? In an effort to evaluate the Cass report’s findings and recommendations, I spent the months since it was released poring over the document, researching the history of transgender medicine and interviewing experts in gender-affirming care as well as epidemiologists and research scientists about the role of scientific evidence in determining care standards. What I have come to realize is that this report, for all its claims of impartiality, is fundamentally a subjective, political document.

top 5 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] davehtaylor@beehaw.org 13 points 4 weeks ago

NYT, hotdog costume: We're all trying to find out who did this!

NYT has been pouring gasoline on this fire for years. Yeah, it's great that someone there was able to publish something exposing the horrors of the Cass Report. But the NYT has no business pretending like they haven't been a party to this. They have blood on their hands, and are a large part of why trans kids have been targeted by these fucking soulless ghouls

[–] xilliah@beehaw.org 8 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

I've noticed it's the same with bs gurus and cults. (Not to say that all gurus and religions are bs.)

They, without exception, start by making sensible statements. Perhaps some truisms but also some epiphany material. Then once you're set up you get the nonsense.

Take scientology for example, or homeopathy. In both cases they'll listen to your problems and provide a basic form of psychotherapy. In homeopathy the so called doctor will listen to you for an hour. That in itself is effective and unfortunately doesn't typically happen in the standard healthcare system. And with scientology they'll listen to all the bad things you've done, not unlike a catholic confession. I'm sure that must be a relief and help your mental health. But we all know what comes next.

[–] chloyster@beehaw.org 7 points 4 weeks ago

Thanks for sharing. Thought this was a good read. Pleasantly surprised at the NYT for this one

[–] theangriestbird@beehaw.org 5 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Maintenance Phase, one of my favorite podcasts, just finished a pair of very enlightening episodes digging deep into this report and surrounding reports. Here's a link to the first of those episodes, if you happen to be like me and enjoy learning via podcasts.

[–] Hirom@beehaw.org 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

The Skeptics Guide also commented on The Cass Review in their August 3rd episode, starting at 39'45". This summarize the review and its conclusions, explains the problems with it, and why most specialist in the US are ignoring the cass review's conclusions.