Doctors Hide Study On Puberty Blockers For Minors, Claiming Opponents Will “Weaponize” Results
A Los Angeles-based doctor who runs the nation’s largest youth gender clinic said she is delaying the publication of a study for fear that many will “weaponize” the results for political gain, according to a report from the Washington Free Beacon.
Johanna Olson-Kennedy created a multi-year study examining the impacts that puberty blockers have on a child’s mental health. The results, based on Olson-Kennedy’s response, do not bode well for advocates of “gender-affirming care.”
“I do not want our work to be weaponized. It has to be exactly on point, clear and concise. And that takes time,” Olson-Kennedy told the New York Times. She claims that the research could further embolden prohibitions on puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries for minors.
Nearly half of U.S. states have a ban on “gender-affirming care,” including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries, for minors.
The study in question was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at the cost of nearly $10 million. The study observed 95 kids from across the nation to see if their mental health outcomes were approved once they were put on puberty blockers for their perceived gender dysphoria.
Olson-Kennedy told the New York Times that the kids’ mental health did not improve. The top-rated doctor believes the results are skewed because the patients had high-quality mental health to begin with.
“They’re in really good shape when they come in, and they’re in really good shape after two years,” she said.
Her statements appear in stark contrast to prior evaluations of gender-confused patients. Olson-Kennedy’s team noted that 25% of gender dysphoric patients have severe anxiety, 51% reported feelings of depression, and 66% of gender dysphoric patients report suicidal ideation. Nearly 25% reported a past suicide attempt.
These findings are yet another blow to the “gender-affirming care” advocates. Earlier this year, United Kingdom pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass published a comprehensive report on the ineffectiveness of puberty blockers on gender dysphoric minors.
