Editor’s Note: An assistant professor at Brown University published a study this month in a peer-reviewed journal presenting evidence that rapid-onset gender dysphoria in teen-agers and young adults who didn’t show any symptoms of it in childhood may be tied to binge-watching transgender-oriented YouTube videos and engaging in transgender-oriented online friend groups.
The descriptions of how these young people came to identify with a gender other than the one that corresponds to their biological sex don’t jibe with what transgenderism experts have found in the past.
The study was published August 16. Brown University posted a news story about it on the school’s web site on August 22. On August 27 Brown took the story down from its web site.
What follows is a letter from a Brown dean explaining the dis-publishing of the news story about the study, with translations of words and phrases that may otherwise be unclear.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Letter to the School of Public Health Community — Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018
Dear Members of the Public Health and Brown Community,
of any gender and no gender
As you may be aware, Brown late last week posted a news announcement regarding research on gender dysphoria published by a faculty member in the School of Public Health.
In other words, we did what we always do: One of our professors publishes research, we push it.
In light of questions raised about research design and data collection related to the study on “rapid onset gender dysphoria,” the University determined that removing the article from news distribution is the most responsible course of action.
Some left-wingers threatened us, and we can already visualize the sit-ins.
The research had been published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE, which stated in a comment posted on the study August 27 that the journal “will seek further expert assessment on the study’s methodology and analyses.”
And their headquarters will be moving to an undisclosed location.
Independent of the University’s removal of the article because of concerns about research methodology,
The article’s conclusions about transgenderism seem spot-on, so we hope the methodology is flawed, or we’re in bigger trouble than we thought
the School of Public Health has heard from Brown community members
and Antifa
expressing concerns that the conclusions of the study could be used to discredit efforts to support transgender youth and invalidate the perspectives of members of the transgender community.
Science is right when it supports left-wing social goals. When it doesn’t, it’s wrong.
The University and School have always affirmed the importance of academic freedom
We would never put the offending assistant professor in jail
and the value of rigorous debate
as long as you agree with us
informed by research.
unless the conclusions make us uncomfortable.
The merits of all research should be debated vigorously,
and if it seems right for the wrong reasons, jettisoned
because that is the process by which knowledge ultimately advances,
but if it stands still or goes backwards, no biggie
often through tentative findings
the less left-wing, the more tentative
that are often overridden or corrected
overridden
in subsequent higher quality research.
whatever gets us through the semester, baby.
The spirit of free inquiry
Again, no jail time
and scholarly debate
whatever
is central to academic excellence.
this is Brown, after all
At the same time, we believe firmly
We’ve been informed by reliable sources that a sit-in could form at any minute
that it is also incumbent on
you better do what we say, people
public health researchers to listen to multiple perspectives and to recognize and articulate the limitations of their work.
if a member of a protected class says you’re wrong, you’re wrong
This process includes acknowledging and considering the perspectives of those who criticize our research methods
Again: You’re wrong
and conclusions
in fact, why don’t you run the conclusions by the protected class before you even begin the study?
and working to improve future research
no sit-ins
to address these limitations
are you or are you not a member of the protected class?
and better serve public health.
no sit-ins
There is an added obligation for vigilance
We’re watching you
in research design
again, check with those protected people
and analysis
better safe than sorry
any time there are implications for the health of the communities at the center of research and study.
Did you see what these people did at Berkeley and Middlebury?
The School’s commitment
zero
to studying
zero
and supporting
less than zero
the health and well-being of sexual and gender minority populations is unwavering.
Unless they want us to waver
Our faculty and students are on the cutting edge
More like the dull edge
of research
copy-and-paste
on transgender populations domestically and globally.
we’ve even memorized our they-their-thems
The commitment
zero
of the School
zero
to diversity and inclusion
less than zero
is central to our mission,
infinity zero
and we pride ourselves on building a community that fully
‘fully’ of something
recognizes and affirms the full
full-full
diversity
from A to B
of gender and sexual identity in its members.
Unless they don’t want us to.
These commitments
zero
are an unshakable part
I’m unshaking as I write this
of our core values
none
as a community.
none
In an effort to support robust
weak
research
none
and constructive dialogue
agree or be silent
on gender identity in adolescents and youth,
fully
the School will be organizing a panel of experts
people who know what to say when they’re told to say it
to present the latest research
book burnings
in this area and to define directions
stay within the lines, people, the lines are your friends
for future work to optimize health in transgender communities.
This study is so over.
We believe that more and better research
or at least different conclusions
is needed to help guide advances in the health of the LGBTQ community.
Hope I didn’t forget any letters
We welcome input
Let me know if I forgot any letters, pronto
from faculty, staff and students
but not this professor
about the composition of this panel
whoever the protesters want
and scope of the discussion.
A to B. A to B. A to B. A to B.
Sincerely,
Don’t fire me
Bess H. Marcus, Ph.D.
Dean, Brown University School of Public Health
