The Best of Genspect: Why Puberty Matters with James Linehan
Must watch videos from Genspect
Puberty is Our Birthright
Of all the interventions for gender-distressed kids, puberty blockers are the most studied—and the most misunderstood. Once sold as a harmless 'pause' to give children breathing room to decide, it’s now clear their effects aren’t so innocent. With clinicians split on whether more research is needed, Genspect invites you to dig into the topic starting this week with James Linehan.
We first met James Linehan at The Bigger Picture Conference in 2023. Born with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH)—a condition where the pituitary gland doesn’t produce the hormones needed to kickstart puberty—he faced a childhood defined by medical intervention just to experience what others take for granted. In this vox pop, he shares his shock at learning clinicians were deliberately halting puberty in others, reflects on the bravery of detransitioners, and offers some sharp, forward-looking predictions.
James recently joined Stella O’Malley and Bret Alderman on the Beyond Gender podcast to unpack his experience in detail. He opened up about lagging behind as his peers matured, and stressed the importance of puberty—not just for physical growth, but for emotional and intellectual development too.