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common-sources-misinfo [2025/12/30 02:41] – [SEGM's Strategy] valahcommon-sources-misinfo [2025/12/30 02:48] (current) – [Example: The Swedish Study Misuse] valah
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 The anti-gender movement is substantially funded: [(pb2)] The anti-gender movement is substantially funded: [(pb2)]
  
-- The **aggregate revenue** of U.S.-based organizations associated with the anti-gender movement during 2008–2017 was **$6.2 billion USD**. +  * The **aggregate revenue** of U.S.-based organizations associated with the anti-gender movement during 2008–2017 was **$6.2 billion USD**. 
- +  * In that same period, eleven U.S. organizations funneled **at least $1 billion** internationally to amplify anti-trans and anti-gender messaging globally. 
-- In that same period, eleven U.S. organizations funneled **at least $1 billion** internationally to amplify anti-trans and anti-gender messaging globally. +  * Much of this funding comes from **conservative Christian organizations** and donor-advised funds that redirected resources previously dedicated to opposing marriage equality.
- +
-- Much of this funding comes from **conservative Christian organizations** and donor-advised funds that redirected resources previously dedicated to opposing marriage equality.+
  
 This is not organic skepticism—it is **manufactured opposition with institutional backing**. This is not organic skepticism—it is **manufactured opposition with institutional backing**.
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 SEGM has: SEGM has:
  
-- Falsely claimed that the majority of transgender children desist (see [[debunking-desistance|Debunking Desistance]]) +  * Falsely claimed that the majority of transgender children desist (see [[debunking-desistance|Debunking Desistance]]) 
- +  * Advocated for "exploratory psychotherapy" as an alternative to gender-affirming care—a rebranding of conversion therapy 
-- Advocated for "exploratory psychotherapy" as an alternative to gender-affirming care—a rebranding of conversion therapy +  * Positioned members as "expert witnesses" in anti-trans litigation 
- +  * Built a network of career commentators and advocates against gender-affirming care
-- Positioned members as "expert witnesses" in anti-trans litigation +
- +
-- Built a network of career commentators and advocates against gender-affirming care+
  
 ===== SEGM's Partner Organizations ===== ===== SEGM's Partner Organizations =====
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 SEGM does not operate in isolation. It maintains direct partnerships with: SEGM does not operate in isolation. It maintains direct partnerships with:
  
-- **Genspect** – International gender-critical organization founded by Stella O'Malley, explicitly opposed to conversion therapy bans and transition access for people under 25+**Genspect** – International gender-critical organization founded by Stella O'Malley, explicitly opposed to conversion therapy bans and transition access for people under 25
  
-- **Cardinal Support Network** – Parent-focused anti-trans group led by Sharon Beck (wife of SEGM cofounder Stephen Beck), campaigns against hospital gender clinics+**Cardinal Support Network** – Parent-focused anti-trans group led by Sharon Beck (wife of SEGM cofounder Stephen Beck), campaigns against hospital gender clinics
  
-- **Partners for Ethical Care** – U.S.-based organization working to defund and shut down pediatric gender clinics+**Partners for Ethical Care** – U.S.-based organization working to defund and shut down pediatric gender clinics
  
-- **Youth Trans Critical Professionals** – Hub for credentialed professionals opposing gender-affirming care, founded by Lisa Marchiano, clinical social worker and SEGM advisor+**Youth Trans Critical Professionals** – Hub for credentialed professionals opposing gender-affirming care, founded by Lisa Marchiano, clinical social worker and SEGM advisor
  
 These are not separate organizations—they share leadership, funding, strategies, and messaging. These are not separate organizations—they share leadership, funding, strategies, and messaging.
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 CAN-SG presents itself as an independent network of clinicians calling for "evidence-based care," but it is **primarily composed of activists from SEGM and Genspect**. [(pb5)] It operates with a specific political mission: CAN-SG presents itself as an independent network of clinicians calling for "evidence-based care," but it is **primarily composed of activists from SEGM and Genspect**. [(pb5)] It operates with a specific political mission:
  
-- Opposing conversion therapy bans that include gender identity +  * Opposing conversion therapy bans that include gender identity 
- +  * Influencing NHS policy and university curricula regarding trans medicine 
-- Influencing NHS policy and university curricula regarding trans medicine +  * Positioning itself as a "clinical" voice to legitimize anti-trans positions within healthcare institutions
- +
-- Positioning itself as a "clinical" voice to legitimize anti-trans positions within healthcare institutions+
  
 ===== CAN-SG's Network ===== ===== CAN-SG's Network =====
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 CAN-SG's public conference lineup reveals its connections: CAN-SG's public conference lineup reveals its connections:
  
-- **Stella O'Malley** (Genspect founder) – Described as suppressing gender identity in therapy and lacking empathy for trans youth+**Stella O'Malley** (Genspect founder) – Described as suppressing gender identity in therapy and lacking empathy for trans youth  
  
-- **Michael Biggs** – Anti-trans campaigner linked to prolific troll accounts+**Michael Biggs** – Anti-trans campaigner linked to prolific troll accounts  
 +  
 +**Richard Byng** – Member of SEGM pseudoscience network  
  
-- **Richard Byng** – Member of SEGM pseudoscience network +Speakers from **Sex Matters**, **Transgender Trend**, and other connected anti-trans groups  
- +
-- Speakers from **Sex Matters**, **Transgender Trend**, and other connected anti-trans groups+
  
 ==== The Broader Network ==== ==== The Broader Network ====
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 Connected to SEGM and CAN-SG are: Connected to SEGM and CAN-SG are:
  
-- **Sex Matters** – UK-based gender-critical organization+**Sex Matters** – UK-based gender-critical organization
  
-- **Transgender Trend** – Anti-trans advocacy group presenting itself as "concerned parents"+**Transgender Trend** – Anti-trans advocacy group presenting itself as "concerned parents"
  
-- **Alliance Defending Freedom** – Multimillion-dollar Christian legal organization with lawyers worldwide attacking LGBTQ+ rights, including bans on gender-affirming care [(pb6)]+**Alliance Defending Freedom** – Multimillion-dollar Christian legal organization with lawyers worldwide attacking LGBTQ+ rights, including bans on gender-affirming care [(pb6)]
  
-- **American College of Pediatricians** – Fringe organization founded in 2002, unrepresentative of actual pediatric consensus but frequently cited as authority+**American College of Pediatricians** – Fringe organization founded in 2002, unrepresentative of actual pediatric consensus but frequently cited as authority
  
 These organizations cross-reference each other, share speakers, coordinate messaging, and work toward aligned policy goals. These organizations cross-reference each other, share speakers, coordinate messaging, and work toward aligned policy goals.
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 Anti-trans organizations explicitly produce **white papers and reports designed to provide legal cover for legislation**, not to advance scientific understanding. [(pb7)] As researchers note: Anti-trans organizations explicitly produce **white papers and reports designed to provide legal cover for legislation**, not to advance scientific understanding. [(pb7)] As researchers note:
  
-> These white papers' explicit purpose is to manufacture justification for banning gender-affirming care (or at minimum, denying Medicaid coverage) that will be plausibly defensible in court.+> //These white papers' explicit purpose is to manufacture justification for banning gender-affirming care (or at minimum, denying Medicaid coverage) that will be plausibly defensible in court.//
  
 SEGM members have been directly involved in drafting anti-trans bills and providing testimony, blurring the line between "clinical advice" and political advocacy. SEGM members have been directly involved in drafting anti-trans bills and providing testimony, blurring the line between "clinical advice" and political advocacy.
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 The pathway from disinformation to law follows this pattern: The pathway from disinformation to law follows this pattern:
  
-- 1. **Generate pseudoscience** – SEGM, CAN-SG, and partner organizations produce reports using poor methodology, misquoted research, and fringe experts +  - **Generate pseudoscience** – SEGM, CAN-SG, and partner organizations produce reports using poor methodology, misquoted research, and fringe experts 
- +  - **Amplify through media** – Right-wing and mainstream media outlets uncritically report on these claims 
-- 2. **Amplify through media** – Right-wing and mainstream media outlets uncritically report on these claims +  - **Influence politicians** – Legislators cite these manufactured "studies" as justification for bills 
- +  - **Pass discriminatory legislation** – Anti-trans bills proliferate, often using language directly copied from pseudoscience networks
-- 3. **Influence politicians** – Legislators cite these manufactured "studies" as justification for bills +
- +
-- 4. **Pass discriminatory legislation** – Anti-trans bills proliferate, often using language directly copied from pseudoscience networks+
  
 In 2024, over **500 anti-trans bills** were proposed or adopted in the United States, with many directly citing SEGM-produced materials. In 2025, **1,020 bills** are under consideration. [(pb8)] In 2024, over **500 anti-trans bills** were proposed or adopted in the United States, with many directly citing SEGM-produced materials. In 2025, **1,020 bills** are under consideration. [(pb8)]
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 The Manhattan Institute, founded in 1978 with over $14 million annual budget, employs **Chris Rufo** and **Leor Sapir**, both directly connected to SEGM and FAIR. Rufo, in particular, has been instrumental in: The Manhattan Institute, founded in 1978 with over $14 million annual budget, employs **Chris Rufo** and **Leor Sapir**, both directly connected to SEGM and FAIR. Rufo, in particular, has been instrumental in:
  
-- Injecting anti-LGBTQ+ pseudoscience into the intellectual mainstream of American conservatism +  * Injecting anti-LGBTQ+ pseudoscience into the intellectual mainstream of American conservatism 
- +  * Using The City Journal to disseminate anti-trans narratives "often by obfuscating key details that muddy his points" 
-- Using The City Journal to disseminate anti-trans narratives "often by obfuscating key details that muddy his points" +  * Building what a 2022 New York Times profile called an "intellectual cover" for "flawed and inflammatory work"
- +
-- Building what a 2022 New York Times profile called an "intellectual cover" for "flawed and inflammatory work"+
  
 In June 2023, Colin Wright (SEGM board member and Manhattan Institute fellow) and Leor Sapir published a Wall Street Journal editorial attacking federal court decisions protecting transgender healthcare access. **The editorial failed to disclose** Wright's SEGM membership, that SEGM members provided expert testimony in the cases being discussed, or the authors' collaboration on anti-trans messaging. [(pb11)] In June 2023, Colin Wright (SEGM board member and Manhattan Institute fellow) and Leor Sapir published a Wall Street Journal editorial attacking federal court decisions protecting transgender healthcare access. **The editorial failed to disclose** Wright's SEGM membership, that SEGM members provided expert testimony in the cases being discussed, or the authors' collaboration on anti-trans messaging. [(pb11)]
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 UnHerd's function within the disinformation ecosystem: UnHerd's function within the disinformation ecosystem:
  
-- Publishes prominent anti-trans narratives and opinion columns targeting conservative audiences +  * Publishes prominent anti-trans narratives and opinion columns targeting conservative audiences 
- +  * Platforms SEGM-affiliated experts and gender-critical advocates without disclosure of network connections 
-- Platforms SEGM-affiliated experts and gender-critical advocates without disclosure of network connections +  * In April 2024, was placed on the **Global Disinformation Index's Dynamic Exclusion List** after publishing "anti-trans narratives," prompting advertisers to withdraw [(pb15)] 
- +  * Presents anti-trans arguments as serious editorial content rather than political advocacy
-- In April 2024, was placed on the **Global Disinformation Index's Dynamic Exclusion List** after publishing "anti-trans narratives," prompting advertisers to withdraw [(pb15)] +
- +
-- Presents anti-trans arguments as serious editorial content rather than political advocacy+
  
 ===== UnHerd's Response to Scrutiny ===== ===== UnHerd's Response to Scrutiny =====
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 Reduxx's website claims to be **"100% independent and does not receive any funding from special interest groups, governments, or big media corporations."** [(pb18)] However, its operational strategy and messaging align precisely with coordinated anti-trans networks: Reduxx's website claims to be **"100% independent and does not receive any funding from special interest groups, governments, or big media corporations."** [(pb18)] However, its operational strategy and messaging align precisely with coordinated anti-trans networks:
  
-- Claims to be "independent" while publishing coordinated anti-trans narratives that align with SEGM, Genspect, and gender-critical networks +  * Claims to be "independent" while publishing coordinated anti-trans narratives that align with SEGM, Genspect, and gender-critical networks 
- +  * Focuses on amplifying sensationalized, anecdotal, and often decontextualized stories framed as evidence of trans people's danger 
-- Focuses on amplifying sensationalized, anecdotal, and often decontextualized stories framed as evidence of trans people's danger +  * Uses inflammatory headlines and selective framing to suggest widespread patterns from isolated incidents 
- +  * Recruits contributors with "unique backgrounds" and "shared passion" for "facts" that consistently align anti-trans messaging
-- Uses inflammatory headlines and selective framing to suggest widespread patterns from isolated incidents +
- +
-- Recruits contributors with "unique backgrounds" and "shared passion" for "facts" that consistently align anti-trans messaging+
  
 ===== The Weapons Merchandise Scandal ===== ===== The Weapons Merchandise Scandal =====
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 Reduxx operates in the NM functional role by translating anti-trans pseudoscience into emotional narratives ("protecting women and children") that activate conservative and gender-critical audiences without requiring detailed engagement with actual evidence. For example, Reduxx frames discussion of gender identity in healthcare as: Reduxx operates in the NM functional role by translating anti-trans pseudoscience into emotional narratives ("protecting women and children") that activate conservative and gender-critical audiences without requiring detailed engagement with actual evidence. For example, Reduxx frames discussion of gender identity in healthcare as:
  
-- "Gender ideology" threatening women's spaces +  * "Gender ideology" threatening women's spaces 
- +  * "Biological integrity" being violated by medical transition 
-- "Biological integrity" being violated by medical transition +  * Trans people as inherent threats to children and women's safety
- +
-- Trans people as inherent threats to children and women's safety+
  
 These framings allow Reduxx to appeal to genuine feminist and child safety concerns while directing them toward anti-trans policy goals rather than evidence-based solutions. These framings allow Reduxx to appeal to genuine feminist and child safety concerns while directing them toward anti-trans policy goals rather than evidence-based solutions.
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 The SPLC's network analysis reveals that media outlets like **The City Journal, Quillette, UnHerd, and Reduxx** operate as a coordinated ecosystem: [(pb21)] The SPLC's network analysis reveals that media outlets like **The City Journal, Quillette, UnHerd, and Reduxx** operate as a coordinated ecosystem: [(pb21)]
  
-- 1. **Research & Practice groups** (SEGM, CAN-SG, ICGDR) produce pseudoscientific reports+1. **Research & Practice groups** (SEGM, CAN-SG, ICGDR) produce pseudoscientific reports
  
-- 2. **Think tanks** (Manhattan Institute, Heritage Foundation, AEI) provide institutional legitimacy+2. **Think tanks** (Manhattan Institute, Heritage Foundation, AEI) provide institutional legitimacy
  
-- 3. **Narrative Manipulation outlets** (The City Journal, Quillette, UnHerd, Reduxx) repackage claims for mass consumption+3. **Narrative Manipulation outlets** (The City Journal, Quillette, UnHerd, Reduxx) repackage claims for mass consumption
  
-- 4. **Legal Advocacy groups** (Alliance Defending Freedom, Heritage Foundation) translate narratives into litigation and legislation+4. **Legal Advocacy groups** (Alliance Defending Freedom, Heritage Foundation) translate narratives into litigation and legislation
  
 These outlets **do not operate independently**—they amplify each other's content, cross-promote speakers, and coordinate messaging timelines. A single claim originating in a SEGM white paper can appear across The City Journal, Quillette, UnHerd, and Reduxx within days, creating the false impression of widespread, independent concern rather than coordinated messaging. These outlets **do not operate independently**—they amplify each other's content, cross-promote speakers, and coordinate messaging timelines. A single claim originating in a SEGM white paper can appear across The City Journal, Quillette, UnHerd, and Reduxx within days, creating the false impression of widespread, independent concern rather than coordinated messaging.
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 However, the study's actual findings show: However, the study's actual findings show:
  
-- Transition improves mental health outcomes +  * Transition improves mental health outcomes 
- +  * The study did not measure the effects of transition itself 
-- The study did not measure the effects of transition itself +  * Crime rate comparisons were taken out of methodological context
- +
-- Crime rate comparisons were taken out of methodological context+
  
 This single misquoted paper spreads through the coordinated network (SEGM→The City Journal/Quillette→UnHerd/Reduxx→audience), appears in policy briefs, and becomes cited as "evidence." This single misquoted paper spreads through the coordinated network (SEGM→The City Journal/Quillette→UnHerd/Reduxx→audience), appears in policy briefs, and becomes cited as "evidence."

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