The origins of Gender/Trans Theory
Daniel JusticeShare
Lessons from John Money and the Tragic Case of David Reimer
In an era where concepts of gender fluidity and transgender identity dominate cultural and medical discussions, it's crucial to examine the foundations of these ideas. At the heart of modern gender ideology lies the work of psychologist John Money, whose theories have shaped contemporary views on gender as a social construct separate from biological sex. However, Money's most infamous experiment, the gender reassignment of David Reimer, reveals profound ethical failures and scientific flaws that continue to echo in today's debates. This article explores Money's contributions, the heartbreaking story of David (born Bruce) Reimer and his twin brother Brian, and why this history serves as a stark warning about the potential harms of gender ideology. For Christians, in particular, this ideology represents a departure from biblical truths about human creation, urging a call to discernment and rejection of what many see as a dangerous delusion.
Who Was John Money?John William Money (1921–2006) was a New Zealand-born American psychologist and sexologist, renowned for his work at Johns Hopkins University. He pioneered concepts in sexology, including the distinction between sex and gender, and advocated for the idea that gender identity is primarily learned through environmental and social influences rather than being innately biological. He was the first to apply "gender" (a linguistic term) to individuals and Money coined terms like "gender role" and "gender identity" in the 1950s while studying intersex individuals (then called hermaphrodites), arguing that with proper rearing, a child's gender could be shaped regardless of their chromosomal or anatomical makeup.Money's influence extended to treatments for intersex children, where he recommended early surgical interventions and hormonal therapies to assign a gender, often based on what he deemed socially viable. He viewed gender as malleable, famously stating that it was a product of nurture over nature. This perspective broke new ground in the mid-20th century but has since faced intense scrutiny for its ethical lapses and empirical shortcomings. Critics argue that Money's work normalized the idea that gender could be reassigned or chosen, laying the groundwork for today's transgender movement.
Money extensively researched paraphilias, including pedophilia, which he categorized into two types: sadistic pedophilia, involving abuse and potential harm to victims, and affectional pedophilia, which he described as rooted in love rather than sex. He argued that affectional pedophilia arose from an "eroticized" form of childhood affection and was not inherently pathological. In his view, such relationships could involve devotion, limerence, and hero-worship without causing damage if they were non-violent.These ideas were not abstract; Money expressed them in interviews and writings that have drawn sharp criticism for appearing to advocate pedophilia. In a 1980 statement to Time magazine, he claimed that a "childhood sexual experience, such as being the partner of a relative or of an older person, need not necessarily affect the child adversely." More explicitly, in a 1991 interview with Paidika: The Journal of Paedophilia, a publication sympathetic to pedophile perspectives, Money stated that a mutual sexual relationship between a 10-year-old boy and a man in his 30s was not "pathological in any way" if it was consensual and bonding. He further described adult-child sex as potentially "normal and often beneficial," and affirmed he would "never report anybody" regarding pedophilia. He even criticized age-of-consent laws and efforts to restrict children's sexual activity as a "diabolically clever ploy to establish anti-sexualism."Critics argue these views reflect a personal sympathy toward pedophilia, as evidenced by his willingness to engage with pro-pedophile platforms like Paidika and his association with organizations like the North American Man-Boy Love Association (NAMBLA), which featured his work prominently. Money's ambivalence is further highlighted in scholarly critiques, noting he pioneered anti-androgen drug therapies for sex offenders while maintaining an "ambivalent stance" toward pedophilia itself.
The Tragic Case of David and Brian ReimerThe most damning illustration of Money's theories in action is the case of David Reimer, often referred to in academic literature as the "John/Joan" case. Born in 1965 as Bruce Reimer, alongside his identical twin brother Brian, David suffered a catastrophic medical accident during a routine circumcision at eight months old. The procedure, intended to address a minor issue, went horribly wrong, resulting in the severe burning and loss of his penis.Desperate for solutions, the Reimer family consulted John Money, who saw the incident as a perfect opportunity to test his hypothesis that gender is socially constructed. Money recommended surgically reassigning Bruce as a girl, renamed Brenda, and raising him as female, complete with estrogen treatments and annual psychological evaluations. The presence of an identical twin brother provided a "control" in Money's eyes, allowing comparison between the two.For years, Money publicly touted the case as a success, claiming Brenda had adapted seamlessly to her assigned gender. However, the reality was far darker. From a young age, David (as Brenda) exhibited behaviors inconsistent with female norms: he rejected dresses, preferred boys' toys, and felt deeply alienated. Reports later revealed that Money's sessions involved coercive and abusive practices, including forcing the twins to simulate sexual acts to "reinforce" gender roles, acts that traumatized both boys.By age 14, after learning the truth from his parents, David rejected the female identity and transitioned back to male, adopting the name David. Tragically, the psychological toll was immense. David struggled with depression, and both he and Brian faced lifelong mental health issues. Brian died of a drug overdose in 2002, and David took his own life in 2004. The case, intended to prove gender's malleability, instead highlighted the resilience of biological sex and the dangers of overriding it. The obvious dangers of a 200% mortality in this test case tragically didn't stop what we're dealing with today.
Money's Legacy and Its Underpinnings in Modern Gender IdeologyMoney's theories have profoundly influenced contemporary gender ideology, which posits that gender is a spectrum, distinct from biological sex, and can be self-determined. His work on intersex cases and the Reimer experiment popularized the notion that early intervention could align a person's gender identity with societal expectations, a concept echoed in today's discussions around puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and surgeries for transgender youth.Critics argue that this ideology perpetuates the same flaws exposed in the Reimer case: ignoring biological realities in favor of social engineering, potentially leading to irreversible harm. Detransitioners, individuals who regret gender-affirming treatments, often cite feelings of confusion and pressure similar to David's experience. Moreover, ethical concerns persist, such as the lack of long-term data on interventions for minors and the suppression of dissenting voices in academia and medicine.The "insanity" referenced in critiques stems from what some see as a denial of objective truth: that humans are created male and female, with gender tied to biology. This ideology has infiltrated education, healthcare, and policy, promoting ideas like gender-neutral bathrooms, sports participation based on identity, and curricula teaching children that gender is fluid, all traceable back to Money's foundational claims.
Money's work on child sexuality extended to theories about early erotic development, "charts" on children's orgasms associated with Alfred Kinsey's controversial research, which Money admired and built upon. Kinsey's 1948 book included tables documenting orgasms in pre-adolescent boys, based on reports from pedophiles, which have been condemned as enabling child abuse. Money, influenced by Kinsey, discussed infant and child sexuality in his writings, positing that children could experience erotic attraction and that early sexual experiences were not inherently harmful.In his notes and publications, Money advocated for less repression of childhood sexuality, warning in a 1975 New York Times article that excessive punishment could cause later disabilities.
Flee from This EvilFrom a Christian perspective, gender ideology contradicts the biblical view of humanity as created in God's image, male and female (Genesis 1:27). It elevates human autonomy over divine design, potentially leading souls astray by encouraging rebellion against one's God-given body. The Reimer case exemplifies the human cost of playing God, as warned in Scriptures like Deuteronomy 22:5, which speaks against blurring gender distinctions.Christians are called to love and support those struggling with identity, but not at the expense of truth. Flee from ideologies that prioritize feelings over facts, and instead anchor in the Gospel's transformative power. Engage in prayer, education, and advocacy to protect the vulnerable, remembering that true freedom comes from Christ, not cultural redefinitions.