Why Dr. Lisa Littman's Work Changed Everything

ROGD Awareness Day Aug 16th, 2024. Join us for an in-person event in Chicago!

When Dr. Lisa Littman published her seminal research paper Parent reports of adolescents and young adults perceived to show signs of a rapid onset of gender dysphoria back in 2018, it forever changed the debate about transgender identification and medical interventions.

Dr. Littman’s account of a new phenomenon, aptly termed rapid onset gender dysphoria (ROGD), fits with the way physicians think about and document medical conditions as “acute” or “chronic”, “rapid onset” or “gradual”, and a host of other descriptors. Why was this so controversial at publication, and why does it remain a vigorous focus for activists to discredit? Because it described the truth about a new cohort of patients who identified as transgender—adolescents without any previous focus on transgenderism—in a language familiar to physicians, therapists, and parents. ROGD continues to be an enduring concept and a thorn in the side of the trans political movement that needs compliant physicians to ignore standards of medical thinking and reality.

Genspect created ROGD Awareness Day in 2021 to highlight and honor Dr. Littman’s important contribution. Her work has informed her own ongoing research and inspired others to get involved in advocating to end the medicalization of gender dysphoria. ROGD has created communities, conversation and enriched our understanding of the challenges facing those affected. Genspect is grateful to honor ROGD Awareness Day 2024 with an in-person conference in Chicago to discuss the ROGD phenomena with some of the most passionate and thoughtful leaders, parents, and public intellectuals in our country, including Dr. Littman herself. Join us!

Carrie Mendoza, MD

Director, Genspect USA

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