Erin ReedMar 17
1. The scientists behind the infamous ROGD/Social Contagion myth have released a new study called AYAGDOS, and are recruiting unsuspecting trans youth. They're operating under Northwestern. Community leaders need help spreading the word to avoid the study. Subscribe to support our journalism.

Scientists Behind the "Social ...
Scientists Behind the "Social Contagion" Myth Are Recruiting Trans Young People For Study, Community Leaders Warn

The project is called AYAGDOS—brought to you by the same names behind “Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria” pseudoscience.

Erin In The Morning
Show threadErin ReedMar 17
The Study, AYAGDOS, is a Northwestern study recruiting 13- to 25-year-olds with gender dysphoria who “think” they “might be trans.” Ads for the study have appeared on Reddit, Facebook, Google, twitter, and Instagram under Northwestern’s name. www.ayagdos.org#ourteam

AYAGDOS
AYAGDOS

AYAGDOS
Show threadErin ReedMar 17
3. Dr. Lisa Littman called herself “pro-LGBT” while speaking at a Genspect conference last year. The SPLC lists Genspect as an anti-LGBT hate group. Genspect’s founder called Littman “the greatest hero of the movement” against trans youth. She's one of the main researchers on the study.

Genspect The Bigger Picture Op...
Genspect The Bigger Picture Opening Plenary with Stella O'Malley

YouTube
Show threadErin ReedMar 17
4. Also on the study is Ken Zucker, the psychologist whose work at Toronto’s CAMH was widely condemned and compared by critics to conversion therapy after he encouraged parents to remove “feminine” items from gender-nonconforming children. www.npr.org/2008/05/07/9...

Two Families Grapple with Sons...
Show threadErin ReedMar 17
5. J. Michael Bailey is also on the study, the Northwestern professor long associated with promoting “autogynephilia,” the discredited theory that trans women are motivated by fetish, and whose work has been shadowed by years of ethics and misconduct allegations.

The Case Against Autogynephili...
Show threadErin ReedMar 17
6. AYAGDOS traces back to Littman’s 2018 “Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria” paper, which helped mainstream the idea that being trans is a kind of social contagion. The paper was later republished with corrections across major sections after widespread backlash. journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...

Correction: Parent reports of ...
Correction: Parent reports of adolescents and young adults perceived to show signs of a rapid onset of gender dysphoria

Show threadErin Reed
7. More than 60 psychological organizations condemned ROGD as misinformation being used in policy. Their warning came in 2021, when 100 anti-trans bills were under consideration. The number of such bills has only grown since then to 1000/year.

ROGD Statement — Coalition for...
ROGD Statement — Coalition for the Advancement & Application of Psychological science

Coalition for the Advancement & Application of Psychological science
Mar 17 at 10:38pmWeb
Show threadErin ReedMar 17
8. Kenneth Zucker told Erin in the Morning that Littman’s ROGD paper inspired him to pitch AYAGDOS to Bailey at Northwestern. Bailey’s own 2023 ROGD-related survey was later retracted over ethics approval, consent, and data concerns.
Show threadErin ReedMar 17
9. Neither Bailey nor Littman responded to a request for comment.
Show threadErin ReedMar 17
10. Lastly, EITM is an award-winning media outlet covering LGBTQ+ issues every day. You can subscribe to support our journalism at www.erininthemorning.com/subscribe.

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Show threadMekkiMar 18
@erininthemorning.com Concerns/Complaints can be submitted to Northwestern's Institutional Review Board who approved this human participant study (#STU00215665) via https://irb.northwestern.edu/about/contact-us/concerns-complaints.html
Concerns & Complaints: Institutional Review Board (IRB) Office - Northwestern University