Beyond Gender

Melissa is the mother of Jonni Skinner, who shares the shocking account which led her to feelings of shame - to sadness - to anger.

She was told by social worker Sara Wiener - amongst other pseudoscientific methods of persuasion - that her 13 year old son must go down this path or else he will commit suicide. Melissa was sent to a sex shop to buy a silicone body suit for her son, before the doctors whom she trusted put Jonni on a cocktail of oestrogen and spironolactone before later adding puberty blockers. She details Jonni’s serious health issues which were caused by the negligent treatment, denied by the doctors who were supposed to help.

Jon Kay is a Canadian editor, writer and podcaster for Quillette.

Dr. Kristopher Kaliebe is is a Professor of Psychiatry at University of South Florida. He is certified in psychiatry, child adolescent, and forensic psychiatry.

Dr Anders Sørensen is a clinical psychologist and author of 'Crossing Zero: The Art and Science of Coming Off — and Staying off — Psychiatric Drugs.'

Pear Joseph is a gender non-conforming gay man who works with the LGB Courage Coalition.