The Evolution of Genspect

Genspect is challenging gender medicine with a healthy approach to sex and gender.

With the impending launch of its Gender Framework (GF), Genspect consolidates its status as the leading international challenger to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and its medicalized approach to gender distress. 

Founded in 2021, Genspect originally emerged as a coalition of concerned parents and professionals disturbed by the thoughtless social/medical transitioning of young people grappling with gender dysphoria. Over the last two years, it has expanded into a “big tent” organization and now encompasses both transitioned and detransitioned individuals, educators, clinicians, researchers, gay rights advocates, women's rights campaigners, politicians, journalists, and members of the general public. Spanning multiple countries, Genspect advocates for a healthy approach to sex and gender.

In September 2022, WPATH released the eighth edition of its Standards of Care (SOC 8). This document marked a significant departure from conventional medical norms. It reflected a victory of one faction within WPATH, often referred to as "trans liberationists," who advocated for unrestricted access to medical transition procedures. In particular, SOC 8 eliminated the requirement to have a diagnosis of gender dysphoria as a precondition for receiving hormones and surgery. Parent testimonials demonstrate how serious the consequences can be of an ideology gone awry absent a measured and evidence-based approach.

Stella O’Malley, Co-Founder and Director of Genspect, saw the release of SOC 8 as an inflection point in the field of transgender healthcare. “WPATH chose to delete their chapter on ethics and include one on ‘Eunuch’ as a new gender identity that must be affirmed. What does that tell you about the ideological nature of this group?” In response, she and Vice Director Alasdair Gunn recognized that the time had come for Genspect to release an alternative set of guidelines—the Gender Framework, as it came to be called—and position it as a rival to the deeply flawed SOC 8. 

The differences between the GF and SOC 8 are stark. SOC 8 promotes medical transition, whereas the GF advocates for non-medical solutions. SOC 8 encourages gender-conforming behaviors, while the GF champions gender nonconformity, free from lifelong medical dependency. SOC 8 pointedly ignores concerns about the social consequences of gender identity theory, silencing dissent, whereas the GF promotes a range of views from diverse voices.

“The era of no debate is over,” says Vice Director Joseph Burgo. “The world will now have an alternative set of guidelines free from dogma and the ideological assertions of WPATH that for too long went unchallenged.”

The GF holds that rooting out gender identity ideology means addressing its influence upon every aspect of society. Opening sections will explain various theories of gender identity and establish the biological foundation of sex, going on to explore the psychology of gender-related distress and the evidence base for so-called “affirmative care.” Later sections describe how gender identity ideology harms families as they interact with schools and will challenge the insidious way this ideology has come to permeate our ethics, law, and policy at every level. The appendices include both model legislation and alternative guidance for teachers and school administrators.

Genspect will officially launch the GF in conjunction with its upcoming conference, THE BIGGER PICTURE, in Denver, Colorado, on November 4th and 5th. The conference will host some phenomenal speakers including Dr. Colin Wright, Heather Heying, Dr. Carrie Mendoza, Michael Shellenberger, and more.

Genspect's evolution from a coalition of concerned parents and professionals to a diverse international organization demonstrates its commitment to providing holistic perspectives on gender issues from diverse voices. The launch of the Gender Framework represents a significant milestone in this journey, offering a comprehensive alternative to the medicalized and ideological approach embodied in WPATH’s Standards of Care 8.

Genspect envisions a world where people are free to present and express themselves in a manner that is healthy, safe and not constrained by gender stereotypes. We accommodate and respect, diversity of belief and freedom of expression, and we base our standards upon the principles of civilised debate, evidenced analysis, and human rights. Children experiencing gender related distress deserve high-quality, evidence-based care, and Genspect is actively working to make that a reality.