Caroline Litman
@alicemydaughter.bsky.social
Ex-psychiatrist, writer, campaigner. Trans ally. She/ her. Author ‘HER NAME IS ALICE’ on the life and death of my transgender child. Mudlark Books Harper Collins. Getting out the door a bit more these days.
Pinned
This is why I’m here:
🧵Trigger warning: suicide
I am the proud mum of a trans woman, Alice.
Alice came out to her best friend, Lucy when she was sixteen, to her sister, Kate a few months later. She didn’t come out to me. Why not? Probably because I’d absorbed media transphobia 1/10
🧵Trigger warning: suicide
I am the proud mum of a trans woman, Alice.
Alice came out to her best friend, Lucy when she was sixteen, to her sister, Kate a few months later. She didn’t come out to me. Why not? Probably because I’d absorbed media transphobia 1/10
Just reading this has brought tears to my eyes. It can feel like the whole world is against you. It’s good to be reminded this isn’t true. But also sad to know where the power ultimately lies. Until everyone who says they’re a trans ally is as actively principled as Robin the hate will continue.
December 15, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Just reading this has brought tears to my eyes. It can feel like the whole world is against you. It’s good to be reminded this isn’t true. But also sad to know where the power ultimately lies. Until everyone who says they’re a trans ally is as actively principled as Robin the hate will continue.
Jesus Christ. Even with everything he’s done I’m struggling to believe this is real.
December 15, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Jesus Christ. Even with everything he’s done I’m struggling to believe this is real.
Unanswerable questions on the GP patient booking service badly impacted Alice’s mental health.
They send me into a spin too.
They send me into a spin too.
December 15, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Unanswerable questions on the GP patient booking service badly impacted Alice’s mental health.
They send me into a spin too.
They send me into a spin too.
Ahh, your explanation makes sense.
I’ve recently made the acquaintance of a surgeon who does FtM surgery in a private setting. Next time I see him I’ll have to ask about their assessment procedures and his role in it.
He’s an older,conservative, churchgoing man who loves his work.
#prejudice
I’ve recently made the acquaintance of a surgeon who does FtM surgery in a private setting. Next time I see him I’ll have to ask about their assessment procedures and his role in it.
He’s an older,conservative, churchgoing man who loves his work.
#prejudice
December 15, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Ahh, your explanation makes sense.
I’ve recently made the acquaintance of a surgeon who does FtM surgery in a private setting. Next time I see him I’ll have to ask about their assessment procedures and his role in it.
He’s an older,conservative, churchgoing man who loves his work.
#prejudice
I’ve recently made the acquaintance of a surgeon who does FtM surgery in a private setting. Next time I see him I’ll have to ask about their assessment procedures and his role in it.
He’s an older,conservative, churchgoing man who loves his work.
#prejudice
And psychopathic 🤣
December 15, 2025 at 1:23 PM
And psychopathic 🤣
Yes, “Well dressed”, “Pleasant”.
It’s just bizarre really.
I take my mother to lots of appointments and have to read her the OPA letters she’s sent. They invariably start with “ I met this charming lady…” The last one didn’t and that certainly put her nose out of joint.
Charm is subjective!
It’s just bizarre really.
I take my mother to lots of appointments and have to read her the OPA letters she’s sent. They invariably start with “ I met this charming lady…” The last one didn’t and that certainly put her nose out of joint.
Charm is subjective!
December 15, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Yes, “Well dressed”, “Pleasant”.
It’s just bizarre really.
I take my mother to lots of appointments and have to read her the OPA letters she’s sent. They invariably start with “ I met this charming lady…” The last one didn’t and that certainly put her nose out of joint.
Charm is subjective!
It’s just bizarre really.
I take my mother to lots of appointments and have to read her the OPA letters she’s sent. They invariably start with “ I met this charming lady…” The last one didn’t and that certainly put her nose out of joint.
Charm is subjective!
Here I’m imagining Shon went to see a doctor about a cough or a rash or a change of bowel habit and ended up being profiled anyway. If it was a gender clinic then ‘tame’ seems an accurate description given the questioning trans people
have been subjected to over the decades. It’s all vile.
have been subjected to over the decades. It’s all vile.
December 15, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Here I’m imagining Shon went to see a doctor about a cough or a rash or a change of bowel habit and ended up being profiled anyway. If it was a gender clinic then ‘tame’ seems an accurate description given the questioning trans people
have been subjected to over the decades. It’s all vile.
have been subjected to over the decades. It’s all vile.
I’ve started not answering questions about what sex I am too. It’s a tiny act of defiance.
December 15, 2025 at 1:08 PM
I’ve started not answering questions about what sex I am too. It’s a tiny act of defiance.
I was taught to comment on people’s appearance and demeanour as part of a psychiatric assessment because it could give insight into state of mind.
This is next level weird and unpleasant.
This is next level weird and unpleasant.
Via Shon Faye on ig:
Notice how they’re being “complimentary” but also completely and utterly dehumanising at the same time?
Daily life as a trans person.
Notice how they’re being “complimentary” but also completely and utterly dehumanising at the same time?
Daily life as a trans person.
December 15, 2025 at 12:40 PM
I was taught to comment on people’s appearance and demeanour as part of a psychiatric assessment because it could give insight into state of mind.
This is next level weird and unpleasant.
This is next level weird and unpleasant.
That is so bad. Your complaint obviously came to nothing. That person should not be a doctor.
December 15, 2025 at 12:30 PM
That is so bad. Your complaint obviously came to nothing. That person should not be a doctor.
Thank you for doing this.
December 15, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Thank you for doing this.
Reposted by Caroline Litman
'Chris Parkes, a senior lecturer in history education at King’s College London, told Times Higher Education that “to be a trans person in the UK right now is to be exhausted and terrified”.' 1/3
Trans scholars being ‘pushed out of academia’, researchers warn
Universities ‘afraid to be trans inclusive’ after Supreme Court ruling and OfS Sussex fine, leaving staff fearing ‘hostile environment’
www.timeshighereducation.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:17 AM
'Chris Parkes, a senior lecturer in history education at King’s College London, told Times Higher Education that “to be a trans person in the UK right now is to be exhausted and terrified”.' 1/3
And whenever they write about Bell they always describe her as the person who sued the Tavistock and it was then closed down, whilst neglecting to mention that she lost, but NHSEngland took away gender affirming care off the back of it anyway. Because they wanted to.
December 15, 2025 at 7:38 AM
And whenever they write about Bell they always describe her as the person who sued the Tavistock and it was then closed down, whilst neglecting to mention that she lost, but NHSEngland took away gender affirming care off the back of it anyway. Because they wanted to.
He is setting a wonderful example. I would be very grateful if you could thank him for me. I have shed a few tears over his action.
December 14, 2025 at 9:53 PM
He is setting a wonderful example. I would be very grateful if you could thank him for me. I have shed a few tears over his action.
This is not a criticism
of the amazing parents fighting tooth and nail for their kids from a place of safety.
Fear of the GC movement is real and justified. The relentless trauma they inflict on trans people and their families is largely ignored. It’s time it was acknowledged and addressed.
of the amazing parents fighting tooth and nail for their kids from a place of safety.
Fear of the GC movement is real and justified. The relentless trauma they inflict on trans people and their families is largely ignored. It’s time it was acknowledged and addressed.
December 14, 2025 at 8:52 PM
This is not a criticism
of the amazing parents fighting tooth and nail for their kids from a place of safety.
Fear of the GC movement is real and justified. The relentless trauma they inflict on trans people and their families is largely ignored. It’s time it was acknowledged and addressed.
of the amazing parents fighting tooth and nail for their kids from a place of safety.
Fear of the GC movement is real and justified. The relentless trauma they inflict on trans people and their families is largely ignored. It’s time it was acknowledged and addressed.
💯 This must be the norm not the exception.
Parents tend to work quietly behind the scenes to support their child.
Alice’s death released me from that dynamic.
Going public with her inquest, then Her Name Is Alice, was a choice. It came with personal cost but not doing it felt more uncomfortable.
Parents tend to work quietly behind the scenes to support their child.
Alice’s death released me from that dynamic.
Going public with her inquest, then Her Name Is Alice, was a choice. It came with personal cost but not doing it felt more uncomfortable.
This is what bravery, honesty, and honour look like.
Celebrities taking a stand against institutions who mute them when they act on their conscience and use their voice to speak for so many who are oppressed deserve our support and we are inspired by them.
Scientists can do this too.
Celebrities taking a stand against institutions who mute them when they act on their conscience and use their voice to speak for so many who are oppressed deserve our support and we are inspired by them.
Scientists can do this too.
@robinince.bsky.social: “In a recent meeting where BBC studio executives again voiced problems, I realised my choices. Obedience and being quieter to remain making Monkey Cage, or resign and have the freedom to speak out against what I believe are injustices. I chose the latter. It broke my heart.”
December 14, 2025 at 8:40 PM
💯 This must be the norm not the exception.
Parents tend to work quietly behind the scenes to support their child.
Alice’s death released me from that dynamic.
Going public with her inquest, then Her Name Is Alice, was a choice. It came with personal cost but not doing it felt more uncomfortable.
Parents tend to work quietly behind the scenes to support their child.
Alice’s death released me from that dynamic.
Going public with her inquest, then Her Name Is Alice, was a choice. It came with personal cost but not doing it felt more uncomfortable.
Her mother is a GC journalist. So it’s a given she would get a platform 🙄
December 14, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Her mother is a GC journalist. So it’s a given she would get a platform 🙄
that’s included in the transphobic bit.
December 14, 2025 at 5:51 PM
that’s included in the transphobic bit.
This is good to know.
December 14, 2025 at 12:12 PM
This is good to know.
Reposted by Caroline Litman
Royal College of Nursing- Education on discrimination. I used Dr Upton’s case to explain how gender critical organisations target NHS trusts. It was amazing to meet other transgender healthcare professionals.
December 12, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Royal College of Nursing- Education on discrimination. I used Dr Upton’s case to explain how gender critical organisations target NHS trusts. It was amazing to meet other transgender healthcare professionals.
I could see this backfiring in that pro-trans beliefs could be given the same status GC beliefs were given in Forstater - worthy of respect but not to be repeated with impunity to harm GC folk. And you can bet your life this part of the judgement would be adhered to this way wound.
December 14, 2025 at 12:08 PM
I could see this backfiring in that pro-trans beliefs could be given the same status GC beliefs were given in Forstater - worthy of respect but not to be repeated with impunity to harm GC folk. And you can bet your life this part of the judgement would be adhered to this way wound.
Reposted by Caroline Litman
I'm observing a voice coaching lesson this evening, with a view to being able to offer subsidised voice training to trans women through @essehouse.bsky.social
If any other voice coaches/voice therapists are interested in donating an hour a week - please get in touch!
If any other voice coaches/voice therapists are interested in donating an hour a week - please get in touch!
December 13, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I'm observing a voice coaching lesson this evening, with a view to being able to offer subsidised voice training to trans women through @essehouse.bsky.social
If any other voice coaches/voice therapists are interested in donating an hour a week - please get in touch!
If any other voice coaches/voice therapists are interested in donating an hour a week - please get in touch!
Dear Robin, thank you so much for your integrity.
I have spent the last week arguing about BBC bias, specifically with regard to their reporting on the Sandie Peggie tribunal outcome, with friends I’ve known for forty years.
Your action may awaken them to the issue in a way my words fail to.
I have spent the last week arguing about BBC bias, specifically with regard to their reporting on the Sandie Peggie tribunal outcome, with friends I’ve known for forty years.
Your action may awaken them to the issue in a way my words fail to.
December 13, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Dear Robin, thank you so much for your integrity.
I have spent the last week arguing about BBC bias, specifically with regard to their reporting on the Sandie Peggie tribunal outcome, with friends I’ve known for forty years.
Your action may awaken them to the issue in a way my words fail to.
I have spent the last week arguing about BBC bias, specifically with regard to their reporting on the Sandie Peggie tribunal outcome, with friends I’ve known for forty years.
Your action may awaken them to the issue in a way my words fail to.
Reposted by Caroline Litman
Applications now open for our next EsseCamp - a free to attend wildcamping weekend for the trans community.
www.essehouse.co.uk/essecamps-in-2026
www.essehouse.co.uk/essecamps-in-2026
Esse House
Dignity. Compassion. Opportunity
For the Community.
By the Community.
www.essehouse.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Applications now open for our next EsseCamp - a free to attend wildcamping weekend for the trans community.
www.essehouse.co.uk/essecamps-in-2026
www.essehouse.co.uk/essecamps-in-2026
She’s aired my polite and informed response for three days now, which means one of two things to me, she’s either not bothered to read the answer to the question she asked of me, or she’s read it and can’t find any common ground. Either way I’m done with her.
December 11, 2025 at 5:15 PM
She’s aired my polite and informed response for three days now, which means one of two things to me, she’s either not bothered to read the answer to the question she asked of me, or she’s read it and can’t find any common ground. Either way I’m done with her.