Cal Horton (they/them)
@fiercemum.bsky.social
Non-binary researcher supporting trans kids and challenging cis-supremacy
Pinned
“The worst thing I’ve ever experienced” – comparing experiences of affirmative and non-affirmative healthcare provision for trans adolescents in the UK
Within trans youth healthcare two fundamentally different models of care persist, with a significant difference between affirmative and non-affirmative healthcare services. To date there has been l...
www.tandfonline.com
Last week I had a new article published, comparing trans adolescent and family experiences in different UK healthcare services. 1/4
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Cal Horton (they/them)
THIS - cis people, if you're going to talk about The Tavistock, make sure you listen to trans people and our supporters first about what it was actually like.
What’s worse is that there are grounds for a scandal:
A scandal about delay, care that was massively behind what was clinical indicated and justified and all the trans kids harmed by the invasive and creepy processes.
The exact opposite of what we got.
A scandal about delay, care that was massively behind what was clinical indicated and justified and all the trans kids harmed by the invasive and creepy processes.
The exact opposite of what we got.
February 13, 2026 at 4:04 PM
THIS - cis people, if you're going to talk about The Tavistock, make sure you listen to trans people and our supporters first about what it was actually like.
Reposted by Cal Horton (they/them)
Just commemorated the latest confused judgment from the High Court by taking a piss in the ladies at Carlisle Station
Next week I'll do the same at work.
Segregation can and must be resisted every day, by every one of us who is able to do so.
Next week I'll do the same at work.
Segregation can and must be resisted every day, by every one of us who is able to do so.
February 13, 2026 at 1:43 PM
Just commemorated the latest confused judgment from the High Court by taking a piss in the ladies at Carlisle Station
Next week I'll do the same at work.
Segregation can and must be resisted every day, by every one of us who is able to do so.
Next week I'll do the same at work.
Segregation can and must be resisted every day, by every one of us who is able to do so.
I gave a quote to a Metro news article:
"This new government guidance will cause extreme harm to trans children of all ages. Study after study have shown that trans children need policies that are the exact opposite of what this Government is enforcing... 1/
"This new government guidance will cause extreme harm to trans children of all ages. Study after study have shown that trans children need policies that are the exact opposite of what this Government is enforcing... 1/
February 13, 2026 at 12:47 PM
I gave a quote to a Metro news article:
"This new government guidance will cause extreme harm to trans children of all ages. Study after study have shown that trans children need policies that are the exact opposite of what this Government is enforcing... 1/
"This new government guidance will cause extreme harm to trans children of all ages. Study after study have shown that trans children need policies that are the exact opposite of what this Government is enforcing... 1/
I'm too angry and upset to function today.
Feeling utterly defeated.
It feels like our supposed allies at all levels are fucking useless & don't get what is happening & what is at stake.
Feeling utterly defeated.
It feels like our supposed allies at all levels are fucking useless & don't get what is happening & what is at stake.
February 13, 2026 at 12:37 PM
I'm too angry and upset to function today.
Feeling utterly defeated.
It feels like our supposed allies at all levels are fucking useless & don't get what is happening & what is at stake.
Feeling utterly defeated.
It feels like our supposed allies at all levels are fucking useless & don't get what is happening & what is at stake.
Reposted by Cal Horton (they/them)
In a pretty grim decision - with one very considerable silver lining - the High Court has dismissed our challenge to the EHRC Interim guidance.
A number of resources follow in a 🧵.
A number of resources follow in a 🧵.
February 13, 2026 at 11:01 AM
In a pretty grim decision - with one very considerable silver lining - the High Court has dismissed our challenge to the EHRC Interim guidance.
A number of resources follow in a 🧵.
A number of resources follow in a 🧵.
New School Guidance announces:
Full bathroom ban.
Full PE ban.
Full school trip accommodation ban.
Trans kids will not go to the bathroom, do PE or go on any school trips. 1/
Full bathroom ban.
Full PE ban.
Full school trip accommodation ban.
Trans kids will not go to the bathroom, do PE or go on any school trips. 1/
February 12, 2026 at 5:48 PM
New School Guidance announces:
Full bathroom ban.
Full PE ban.
Full school trip accommodation ban.
Trans kids will not go to the bathroom, do PE or go on any school trips. 1/
Full bathroom ban.
Full PE ban.
Full school trip accommodation ban.
Trans kids will not go to the bathroom, do PE or go on any school trips. 1/
Oh shit apparently school guidance coming out a 4pm today.
And I have childcare responsibilities so won't be reading it.
I suspect it will be just as awful as the earlier draft.
I certainly don't expect anything that will help trans kids.
I expect most of it will make their lives worse.
And I have childcare responsibilities so won't be reading it.
I suspect it will be just as awful as the earlier draft.
I certainly don't expect anything that will help trans kids.
I expect most of it will make their lives worse.
February 12, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Oh shit apparently school guidance coming out a 4pm today.
And I have childcare responsibilities so won't be reading it.
I suspect it will be just as awful as the earlier draft.
I certainly don't expect anything that will help trans kids.
I expect most of it will make their lives worse.
And I have childcare responsibilities so won't be reading it.
I suspect it will be just as awful as the earlier draft.
I certainly don't expect anything that will help trans kids.
I expect most of it will make their lives worse.
As we face another evening of fear ahead of another court judgement that may make our lives worse or slightly better, can I say how much I appreciate sharing these moments with all of you here on Bluesky.
I wish we could bond over better events, but its good to connect & support each other here.
I wish we could bond over better events, but its good to connect & support each other here.
February 12, 2026 at 3:13 PM
As we face another evening of fear ahead of another court judgement that may make our lives worse or slightly better, can I say how much I appreciate sharing these moments with all of you here on Bluesky.
I wish we could bond over better events, but its good to connect & support each other here.
I wish we could bond over better events, but its good to connect & support each other here.
Ahead of tomorrow, anyone care to share a reminder of what is being judged?
Is a good judgement going to immediately help? Will it clarify our rights?
Is a bad judgement going to make anything worse? Can it confirm we don't have rights?
Or is it more nuanced arguing over points of protocol?
Is a good judgement going to immediately help? Will it clarify our rights?
Is a bad judgement going to make anything worse? Can it confirm we don't have rights?
Or is it more nuanced arguing over points of protocol?
February 12, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Ahead of tomorrow, anyone care to share a reminder of what is being judged?
Is a good judgement going to immediately help? Will it clarify our rights?
Is a bad judgement going to make anything worse? Can it confirm we don't have rights?
Or is it more nuanced arguing over points of protocol?
Is a good judgement going to immediately help? Will it clarify our rights?
Is a bad judgement going to make anything worse? Can it confirm we don't have rights?
Or is it more nuanced arguing over points of protocol?
Reposted by Cal Horton (they/them)
This is exactly how I feel. I used to be on it all the time, and I felt like I was fighting the whole world. Now I'm burnt out, and I struggle to even write emails to my MP. We leave the UK in 6 weeks, and I'm hoping that when he is safe, I can find my energy to fight again.
February 12, 2026 at 1:28 PM
This is exactly how I feel. I used to be on it all the time, and I felt like I was fighting the whole world. Now I'm burnt out, and I struggle to even write emails to my MP. We leave the UK in 6 weeks, and I'm hoping that when he is safe, I can find my energy to fight again.
Every day I hear a new upsetting story about how trans kids are being treated in our schools.
When responding to today's important claim that segregation might not apply to workplaces - let's not leave behind our youngest community members who are being completely failed across our schools.
When responding to today's important claim that segregation might not apply to workplaces - let's not leave behind our youngest community members who are being completely failed across our schools.
February 12, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Every day I hear a new upsetting story about how trans kids are being treated in our schools.
When responding to today's important claim that segregation might not apply to workplaces - let's not leave behind our youngest community members who are being completely failed across our schools.
When responding to today's important claim that segregation might not apply to workplaces - let's not leave behind our youngest community members who are being completely failed across our schools.
Reposted by Cal Horton (they/them)
Data from at least one large study suggests that more than 50% of detransitioners subsequently retransition again. I am looking for anyone who has transitioned twice and is not currently cis, to interview for a study I am working on about on retransitioners.
#UK #Transrights Judging by the response, it appears that the NHS is having difficulties finding detransitioners. But obviously that won't stop them from putting all their focus detransitioning. As valid as detransitioning is, no detransition is going fix society. And the root cause of
February 11, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Data from at least one large study suggests that more than 50% of detransitioners subsequently retransition again. I am looking for anyone who has transitioned twice and is not currently cis, to interview for a study I am working on about on retransitioners.
Reposted by Cal Horton (they/them)
Calling transfeminist researchers! See our call for abstracts below - deadline 1-15th March (with full papers in August)
Are you doing research on anti-trans politics? Consider submitting to the special issue of @cogitatiopag.bsky.social 'Global Politics and Anti-Trans Moral Panics: Transfeminist Perspectives', co-edited by me, @ashstokoe.bsky.social and @ginagwenffrewi.bsky.social to be published in 2027 (1/2)
Future Issues | Politics and Governance
Politics and Governance is an innovative new offering to the world of online peer-reviewed open access publishing in the Political Sciences.
www.cogitatiopress.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Calling transfeminist researchers! See our call for abstracts below - deadline 1-15th March (with full papers in August)
Reposted by Cal Horton (they/them)
OK so I wrote up the whole conversion therapy/gender bit for those who are curious
On Becoming A Monster
As long as I can remember I was always a boy. There was no moment of realization, no great discovery — this is who I always was, even…
medium.com
August 6, 2025 at 10:21 PM
OK so I wrote up the whole conversion therapy/gender bit for those who are curious
Reposted by Cal Horton (they/them)
One of the wickedest things Wes Streeting has ever done is push politically convenient falsehoods about suicide rates amongst young trans people. We have new data from the National Child Mortality Database that exposes the truth he tried to cover up.
New data shows surge in trans kids’ suicides following healthcare rollbacks | Good Law Project
A freedom of information request by Good Law Project has found that deaths by suicide of trans young people under 18 surged following the withdrawal of gender-affirming healthcare
goodlaw.social
February 7, 2026 at 9:09 AM
One of the wickedest things Wes Streeting has ever done is push politically convenient falsehoods about suicide rates amongst young trans people. We have new data from the National Child Mortality Database that exposes the truth he tried to cover up.
Reposted by Cal Horton (they/them)
I’ve been saying that they will attack trans teachers next but I didn’t think that this would be their tactic
Setting all his supporters on trans teachers. It’s going to be Lucy Meadows all over again
www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/may/...
Setting all his supporters on trans teachers. It’s going to be Lucy Meadows all over again
www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/may/...
February 7, 2026 at 9:59 AM
I’ve been saying that they will attack trans teachers next but I didn’t think that this would be their tactic
Setting all his supporters on trans teachers. It’s going to be Lucy Meadows all over again
www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/may/...
Setting all his supporters on trans teachers. It’s going to be Lucy Meadows all over again
www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/may/...
Reposted by Cal Horton (they/them)
Absolutely this! My article on deferral, partly in response to the Littman hogwash, confirms it. It was replicated by Sorbara et al the following year.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Deferral: the sociology of young trans people’s epiphanies and coming out
This paper presents data characterizing young trans people’s experience during the period prior to coming out to parents as transgender. By analyzing data obtained directly from young trans and non...
www.tandfonline.com
February 7, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Absolutely this! My article on deferral, partly in response to the Littman hogwash, confirms it. It was replicated by Sorbara et al the following year.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Cal Horton (they/them)
I do want to shout-out my fellow sociologists, who have collectively created a discipline so woke that not a single one of our introductory textbooks can make it past Florida's censors.
Great work everyone.
Great work everyone.
February 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM
I do want to shout-out my fellow sociologists, who have collectively created a discipline so woke that not a single one of our introductory textbooks can make it past Florida's censors.
Great work everyone.
Great work everyone.
This morning I want to share a brief comment on a QueerAF article that I was quoted in.
I particularly want to focus on the the phrase 'gender questioning' children.
A short thread 1/
I particularly want to focus on the the phrase 'gender questioning' children.
A short thread 1/
February 7, 2026 at 9:24 AM
This morning I want to share a brief comment on a QueerAF article that I was quoted in.
I particularly want to focus on the the phrase 'gender questioning' children.
A short thread 1/
I particularly want to focus on the the phrase 'gender questioning' children.
A short thread 1/
Amidst discussion of the political nature of the Sullivan Review, it is important to note the ways in which it was immediately embedded into institutional practice, including across the NHS, used to remove trans children's rights.
1/3
1/3
📣 Today @felicitycallard.bsky.social and I have published the first peer-reviewed response to the 'Sullivan Review' of research and data on sex and gender.
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.
February 3, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Amidst discussion of the political nature of the Sullivan Review, it is important to note the ways in which it was immediately embedded into institutional practice, including across the NHS, used to remove trans children's rights.
1/3
1/3
Reposted by Cal Horton (they/them)
I'm glad Dr Todd and Prof Callard remind us right at the start of their article that the Sullivan Review was commissioned as part of the Conservative Party's "Kicking Woke Ideology Out of Science" programme. A strong and stable grounding for policy-based evidence-making.
February 3, 2026 at 3:43 PM
I'm glad Dr Todd and Prof Callard remind us right at the start of their article that the Sullivan Review was commissioned as part of the Conservative Party's "Kicking Woke Ideology Out of Science" programme. A strong and stable grounding for policy-based evidence-making.
New blog: "On banning conversion practices".
In this short blog I discuss the purpose of a legislative ban, how bans impact on accepted practice, and the huge ELEPHANT in the room of state mandated conversion practice in the NHS.
growinguptransgender.com/2026/02/03/o...
In this short blog I discuss the purpose of a legislative ban, how bans impact on accepted practice, and the huge ELEPHANT in the room of state mandated conversion practice in the NHS.
growinguptransgender.com/2026/02/03/o...
On Banning Conversion Practices
In January the Council of Europe voted through a ban on Conversion Practices Anti-trans groups love Conversion practices. They have heavily lobbied against bans that cover trans people. They have t…
growinguptransgender.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:30 PM
New blog: "On banning conversion practices".
In this short blog I discuss the purpose of a legislative ban, how bans impact on accepted practice, and the huge ELEPHANT in the room of state mandated conversion practice in the NHS.
growinguptransgender.com/2026/02/03/o...
In this short blog I discuss the purpose of a legislative ban, how bans impact on accepted practice, and the huge ELEPHANT in the room of state mandated conversion practice in the NHS.
growinguptransgender.com/2026/02/03/o...
Reposted by Cal Horton (they/them)
A must-read peer review on the UK’s Sullivan Review. Todd and Callard show how it frames trans existence as incompatible with “clarity” and science, while quietly rewriting research norms to enforce a rigid, binary model of “biological sex". 1/6
February 3, 2026 at 2:53 PM
A must-read peer review on the UK’s Sullivan Review. Todd and Callard show how it frames trans existence as incompatible with “clarity” and science, while quietly rewriting research norms to enforce a rigid, binary model of “biological sex". 1/6
Reposted by Cal Horton (they/them)
📣 Today @felicitycallard.bsky.social and I have published the first peer-reviewed response to the 'Sullivan Review' of research and data on sex and gender.
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.
February 3, 2026 at 9:13 AM
📣 Today @felicitycallard.bsky.social and I have published the first peer-reviewed response to the 'Sullivan Review' of research and data on sex and gender.
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.
doi.org/10.1111/tran...
The Review could threaten trans rights and inclusion, erode academic freedom, and undermine research quality.
Please can folks share this blog with cis folks they know in Scotland. Teachers. Healthcare workers. Council workers. Government. The UNCRC is part of Scottish law - every public institution, from small to large, has UNCRC obligations to trans children.
When the Scottish Government embedded the UNCRC into Scottish law, it made a commitment to children across Scotland.
When it comes to trans children, that promise has fallen short.
New blog on trans children's rights: growinguptransgender.com/2026/01/30/u...
When it comes to trans children, that promise has fallen short.
New blog on trans children's rights: growinguptransgender.com/2026/01/30/u...
Upholding trans children’s rights
Trans children have rights under international and domestic law, and we can be more assertive both in calling attention to rights violations, and in demanding institutions uphold these rights in po…
growinguptransgender.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Please can folks share this blog with cis folks they know in Scotland. Teachers. Healthcare workers. Council workers. Government. The UNCRC is part of Scottish law - every public institution, from small to large, has UNCRC obligations to trans children.