A damning new review of ‘gender affirming’ care in England is leading the country to review how it treats all transgender individuals.
In the report, which was commissioned by NHS England nearly four years ago, review leader Hilary Cass, MD, found gender treatment for minors is “built on shaky foundation” because there is “no good evidence on the long-term outcomes of interventions to manage gender-related distress.”
On Thursday’s show, Megyn was joined by Laurence Fox and Fr. Calvin Robinson, hosts of Fox and Father, to discuss findings of Dr. Cass’ report and what it could mean for gender medicine around the globe.
The Cass Review
In fall 2020, England’s National Health Service commissioned ‘The Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People’ (a.k.a. The Cass Review). “In some areas, the U.K. sees reason and light before we do,” Megyn said. “And I would say they’re ahead of us on recognizing the truth about trans-ing kids and giving kids medicines, puberty blockers, cross sex hormones, and so on.”
Led by renowned pediatrician Dr. Cass, the research sought to understand the rise in children under the age of 18 being referred to England NHS’ Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) due to gender confusion, the ramifications of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, and the lasting effects of such treatment on patients “experiencing issues with their gender identity or gender incongruence.”
The 388-page report was published on Tuesday and sent shockwaves through the global medical community. Dr. Cass determined children have been failed by a lack of research and “remarkably weak” evidence on medical interventions in gender care. She called out the “toxicity” of the debate on the topic, which has led doctors and experts to be “afraid” to share their views.
The Cass Review excoriates “the poor quality of the published studies” in the field of gender affirming medicine. As such, there is “not a reliable evidence base upon which to make clinical decisions” or “for children and their families to make informed choices.”
On the issue of puberty blockers, the report says the “rationale” for “early puberty suppression remains unclear.” And it is similarly tough on cross-sex hormones. “The use of masculinizing [and] feminizing hormones in those under the age of 18 also presents many unknowns, despite their longstanding use in the adult transgender population,” the report states. “The lack of long-term follow-up data on those commencing treatment at an earlier age means we have inadequate information about the range of outcomes for this group.”
Ultimately, Dr. Cass says medical providers “are unable to determine with any certainty which children and young people will go on to have an enduring trans identity.”
What Comes Next
In the weeks leading up to the release of Cass’ Review, GIDS – the only specialized gender clinic for minors in England and Wales – was closed after years of controversy. Additionally, NHS England announced puberty blockers only be prescribed to minors as part of clinical trials, following in the footsteps of Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.
“You know who has not had that [approach] or even sniffed around it? America,” Megyn noted. “The American Academy of Pediatrics is still reaffirming its endorsement of such care… stating that hormonal treatments are essential… for these confused kids, which, to me, is evil.”
The Cass Review recommends young people who are referred to NHS gender services “receive a holistic assessment of their needs to inform an individualized care plan.” That should include “screening for neurodevelopmental conditions,” like autism spectrum disorder, and “a mental health assessment.”
The report also emphasizes the need for care of detransitioners. “There needs to be provision for people considering detransition, recognizing that they may not wish to re-engage with the services whose care they were previously under,” the review states.
Robinson, for one, welcomes the conversations the review has kickstarted in the medical field and beyond. “It’s now sparking the next level of discussion, which is: What else is happening in schools… where we teach your kids about gender dysphoria or other imagined, made-up madnesses,” he said. “We now need to turn around and look at everything that our children are being taught because for the state to put its hand into a family… and say I’m going to let your child pretend to be something it’s not… is about the most egregious secular assault on the sanctity of what a family is.”
You can check out Megyn’s full interview with Fox and Fr. Robinson by tuning in to episode 763 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s Triumph (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.