christina buttons

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Two years ago, I became a journalist, with a particular focus on the controversies surrounding pediatric sex-trait modification, especially the limited evidence supporting the "gender-affirming care" model and the experiences of detransitioners—topics that, in my view, the mainstream media often fails to cover accurately and objectively. 

Prior to becoming a journalist, I studied biology, was a respite caregiver for children and adults with special needs, and illustrated several children's books. My longstanding interests include science, atheism, stoicism, skepticism, and debunking pseudoscience.

I became interested in transgender issues after reading the stories of detransitioners, finding many similarities with my own experiences as a "troubled teen." I make it a point to elevate these stories whenever possible, as I believe they are important to the conversation.

The polarizing nature of this debate has led to a lot of misinformation and mischaracterizations of the motivations of those who are concerned about the medicalization of vulnerable groups. People have a tendency to want to shut down any discussion by throwing out labels like “anti-trans,” “transphobic,” and “bigoted”; however, this is neither helpful nor accurate.

I do think those labels are appropriate for some people in certain cases, and discussions on this topic can become counterproductive on both sides of the debate. However, I and most of the members of the broad coalition I belong to are focused on how best to assist individuals who are experiencing distress they attribute to an underlying trans identity. We believe that all areas of medicine, including “gender medicine,” should adhere to the principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM).

My criticisms are specifically aimed at the gender-affirming model of care and the concept of innate “gender identity,” which I consider to be gender pseudoscience. While I recognize gender dysphoria as a real condition, I have reservations about the field of psychiatry. I believe that many people experiencing genuine distress may be misattributing their discomfort, gender nonconformity, and/or autistic traits, to what they believe is gender dysphoria.

There are significant problems with the current public perception of transgender issues, as people often receive inaccurate information. For instance, gender dysphoria has a high rate of desistance among children (60-90%). Many affected are young, gender nonconforming gay and/or autistic children who are told by adults that they were "born in the wrong body" and that medical interventions can align their bodies with their supposed innate "gender identity." 

My view is that children should be allowed to grow up free from sex-based stereotypes, explore their interests, and not be told that these interests define their sex. Doctors should not be offering transition-related medical interventions to minors. 

In general, I support adults who choose to transition and have many transgender friends. However, I am concerned that vulnerable adults, particularly those aged 18-25 with psychiatric comorbidities and/or autism, are not receiving accurate information from their healthcare providers. As a result, they are unable to make fully informed decisions about transitioning. My research on detransitioners, which is pending publication, supports this concern. Adults would benefit from a care model that is more cautious and individualized, considering the whole person rather than immediate "affirmation" with medical interventions.

I believe that individuals who identify as transgender should be treated with compassion; however, they are increasingly subjected to cruelty. I have written extensively on this issue and strongly condemn those who mock and degrade individuals who identify as trans.

I call myself a classical liberal because I do not identify with either the left or the right. Instead, I embrace the classical liberal values of the Enlightenment period, and my views vary from issue to issue. I was a registered Democrat and voted accordingly in every presidential election since I was 18, but I recently registered as an Independent.

During the pandemic, I became  a "social justice warrior" and later wrote about my temporary lapse in judgment for Quillette. I am critical of the far left, including modern "Social Justice" ideology, activist scholarship in universities, as well as online leftist activism.

I am also highly critical of mainstream media for promoting misleading narratives, abandoning objectivity, and demonizing conservatives. I am pro-choice up to 23 weeks (the point of viability) and a staunch supporter of gay marriage equality. Generally, I consider myself nonjudgmental and tolerant of other lifestyles.

Having eluded an Asperger's diagnosis until age 30, I faced significant mental health challenges as an adolescent, culminating in a long-term stay at a residential treatment facility in Utah, part of the “troubled teen industry.” I believe much of the current discourse surrounding this industry is sensationalized, and I am against efforts to shut down these facilities. 

Additionally, I critique the disease model of mental illness and am a big proponent of cognitive behavioral therapy and stoic philosophy. I also advocate for greater education and awareness about the female presentation of autism and early diagnosis.

In April 2023, I began an extensive research project to investigate the link between autism and gender dysphoria, aiming to publish the findings in an academic journal in 2024. I am also collaborating with a university to conduct surveys on detransitioners and those who have desisted from a trans-identity, with plans to submit these for journal publication as well. 

In my spare time, I am developing an information-based website that will provide up-to-date data, counterarguments to activist claims, research explainers, and other useful resources related to gender pseudoscience. If you'd like to support this project, donations are welcome. 

On Substack, my reporting primarily covers news, new research, detransition stories, lawsuits, and other topics related to “gender medicine.” I also occasionally write op-eds for various outlets and am currently working on a children’s book as well as a nonfiction book.