The World Professional Association for Transgender Health commissioned a systematic review of existing research on cross-sex medical treatments in 2020, but found “little to no evidence” supporting these treatments for children and adolescents, according to newly unearthed emails.

Never one to be bogged down by reality, WPATH blocked researchers from publishing their findings, and went on to release updated standards of care in support of child medical transitions. The development comes after a deluge of evidence earlier this year revealed that WPATH and its members knowingly pushed irreversible and unproven interventions onto minors without being able to obtain meaningful consent.

Then, when the Cass Review similarly found weak evidence for child gender transitions, WPATH complained that this review was “rooted in the false premise that non-medical alternatives to care will result in less adolescent distress”. When in doubt, double down.