Here is the article that The British Psychological Society did not want you to read. They refused to publish it on the grounds of ‘transphobia’. Yet it is an important article, revealing the ‘silence, avoidance and suppression’ of debate about gender identity within the UK educational psychology profession. Our colleagues at Genspect recognised its importance and have posted it on their website.
In the article, Drs Claire McGuiggan, Peter D’Lima and their colleague Lucy Robertson, express concern that for educational psychologists (EPs) “it almost appears as if the Cass Review did not happen and that there is a clear consensus on how best to support trans-identified youth.” They explain that “anything other than affirmation is avoided or ignored”, even an association between autism and gender diversity.
The authors then ask the question: “Why would EPs avoid discussing the challenges in the gender-care evidence base (Cass 2022) when these challenges could have negative implications for young people?” and suggest: “Maybe because they have stopped being psychologists and have started becoming activists.”
In their conclusion, the authors call for action, stating: “Surely a healthy profession, a profession which prides itself on child-centred, evidence-based, reflective practice cannot continue to avoid, ignore or suppress this issue any longer and must openly, explicitly, and deeply engage with it”.
Here at Critical Therapy Antidote we think it revealing that the BPS does not appear to share the authors’ concerns. By refusing to publish this article, the BPS has provided us with yet another example of our professional bodies setting themselves up as ideological gatekeepers in order to prevent any public debate.
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