Save Us All From The Cis Men

Cisgender violence is violence

A Rebuttal to Matt Osborne’s Article in The Distance

Well howdy there PITT crew it's me again, and today we are going to thoroughly debunk the dangerous misconceptions and fearmongering found in a recent article titled "Save (Us All From) The 'Trans Kids'" by Matt Osborne¹. The piece was published in The Distance, a Substack magazine that consistently pushes anti-transgender ideology and bias under the guise of examining sex and gender issues.

A review of Osborne's writings across several newsletters and platforms reveals a clear pattern of overt hostility toward trans people. He frequently refers to a "transgender cult" and frames the very existence of trans identities as an ideological battle rather than a matter of human rights². The Distance provides a ready platform for this anti-trans rhetoric, publishing articles that attack the transgender community from a particular prejudiced perspective.

While Osborne presents his opinions on trans youth authoritatively in this piece, as if they are indisputable facts, he cites no relevant credentials that would establish him as an expert on the complex topic of gender identity. The lack of demonstrated qualifications suggests Osborne is more of an ideological commentator than someone with a professional or academic background in this field.

In "Save (Us All From) The 'Trans Kids'", Osborne relies on cherry-picked anecdotes of alleged violence by trans individuals to paint all transgender youth as delusional and dangerous. This manipulative tactic aims to provoke fear and anger toward a vulnerable minority group, not to provide an objective analysis of data. The article's key assertions, like the notion that trans girls are really just violent boys in disguise, contradict scientific consensus and demonize trans youth without basis.

Osborne's piece is a prime example of using isolated incidents to push a broader anti-trans agenda. By sensationalizing a handful of tragic events, and ignoring the overwhelming statistics showing trans people are far more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violence, the article seeks to provide cover for discrimination under the guise of protecting women and children.

So let's dig into the false claims and fearmongering tactics used in "Save (Us All From) The 'Trans Kids'" - and in doing so, stand up for facts, science, and the basic humanity of all youth. Inflammatory anecdotes and bias masquerading as "gender critical" analysis cannot be allowed to supersede the rights of transgender young people to live safely and authentically.

Leaping to Conclusions: Hasty Generalizations & Slippery Slopes

At the core of Osborne's article is a classic hasty generalization fallacy. He cherry-picks a handful of troubling anecdotes involving trans-identified youth to argue that transgender kids are inherently violent and that respecting their identities will inevitably lead to an epidemic of violence in schools. This is an unwarranted and dangerous leap. This is not the first time, and likely not the last, that we will see such a claim being made.

The reality is that transgender people make up a tiny fraction of mass shooters and violent offenders. For instance, consider Everytown Research & Policy. They cite 306 mass shootings in the U.S. since 2009.

"4 shooters out of over 300 mass shooters since 2009 are transgender or non binary. That's just 1.3 percent of all shooters," Anthony Zenkus, a lecturer in social work at Columbia University, wrote on Twitter. "You just proved our point: 99 percent of mass shooters in the United States are cis gendered."³

This is consistent even across different data sets and researchers. According to The Gun Violence Archive, which began collecting data on gun violence in the U.S. in 2013⁴, recorded more than 4,400 mass shootings in the last decade. Its definition of mass shooting is four or more people shot resulting in injury or death (excluding the perpetrator).

In a Reuters article, Executive Director Mark Bryant says “the number of known suspects in mass shootings which are trans is under 10 for the last decade,” which translated to “1:880 [or 0.11%] of the 4,400 shootings”.⁵

In pulling from the Gun Violence Archive myself, the numbers I came up with show that since 2013, only about .11% of mass shooters (4 out of over 3350) have been transgender or non-binary, or about 1 in 1000 mass shootings⁶. The vast majority - 99.88% - have been cisgender. Osborne's attempt to paint all trans youth as dangerous based on a few examples is simply not supported by the data.

There is also no evidence that accommodating transgender students leads to increased violence. This is classic slippery slope reasoning without factual basis. Major medical organizations recognize that supporting trans youth and allowing them to use facilities matching their identity is not only safe, but beneficial for their mental health and well-being. Fearmongering about what could hypothetically happen is not a valid argument against respecting trans people and their rights.

If anything, the data shows that we should be really concerned about cisgender gun violence. The data shows us that most mass shootings or violent gun attacks in the U.S. are carried out by cisgender men. The vast majority of all violent crime is perpetrated by cisgender men.

When it comes to being targeted victims of violent crime, transgender individuals face a significantly higher risk compared to their cisgender counterparts, even when accounting for the substantial difference in population size between the two groups. Despite making up only an estimated 0.6% of the U.S. population (approximately 1.6 million individuals)⁷⁸ ⁹, transgender people face a significantly higher risk of violent victimization compared to their cisgender counterparts, who comprise the vast majority of the population.

According to the Williams Institute, transgender individuals are over four times more likely than cisgender individuals to experience violent victimization, including rape, sexual assault, and aggravated or simple assault.¹⁰

A different report by The Bureau of Justice Statistics found that the rate of violent victimization against transgender persons (51.5 victimizations per 1,000 persons age 16 or older) was 2.5 times higher than the rate among cisgender persons (20.5 per 1,000).¹¹ This means that even though transgender individuals make up a small fraction of the overall population (approx .6%), they are far more likely to experience violence on an individual level.

To further illustrate this disparity, another study and analysis found a very similar 2.7 times higher rate compared to their cisgender counterparts, despite comprising a much smaller portion of the population.¹²

These data points underscore the reality that trans people, whether youth or adults, are not the primary threat when it comes to violence. Instead, they are disproportionately targeted and victimized. Straight cisgender males, on the other hand, make up the majority of perpetrators of violent crime and mass shootings in the United States.

The fact that Osborne focuses only on trans people and youth for their article shows that this is not about the safety of children in schools, or about gun violence. This is about spreading fear, uncertainty, and doubt about trans people to further his ideological agenda. It's a way to incite moral panic and justify discrimination under the guise of protecting public safety. By focusing solely on stories that fit the "violent trans kid" narrative, Osborne reveals his true motivation is promoting an anti-trans agenda, not good faith concern for student well-being.

Misgendering and Pulling "Facts" Out of Thin Air

Throughout the article, Osborne repeatedly misgenders the trans youth he discusses, referring to trans girls as boys and trans boys as girls. This is not only disrespectful, it's factually inaccurate based on how these young people identify and live their lives. Misgendering is a form of harassment that goes against journalistic best practices and basic human decency.

Osborne also makes numerous claims about trans youth psychology without a shred of supporting evidence. He asserts that "pampering" and "excuse-making" for trans girls encourages male-pattern violent behavior, and that trans boys will emulate stereotypical male aggression if they see themselves as boys. These are completely unsubstantiated pop-psychology opinions stated as fact. Osborne provides no citations for these claims because there is no scientific backing for them whatsoever.

The reality is that Osborne is not an expert on gender identity or trans youth. He's a commentator with an ideological axe to grind. His uninformed speculations about trans psychology have no place in a factual discussion of these issues.

Rejecting Research: Ignoring Mainstream Medical Consensus

What Osborne's article glaringly omits is any reference to the extensive body of scientific evidence on gender identity and best practices for supporting trans youth. The consensus of major medical organizations - including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and many others - is that affirming a young person's gender identity is associated with better mental health outcomes.

Numerous studies have found that transgender youth who are supported in their identities have lower rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality.¹³ Framing the acceptance and inclusion of trans kids as a reckless ideology, rather than an evidence-based approach to protecting vulnerable youth, is highly misleading. It ignores the clear scientific consensus in favor of Osborne's own biases.

The very language of Osborne's article, which puts terms like "trans girls" and "trans boys" in scare quotes, makes clear that he does not accept the legitimacy of transgender identities. But the medical community recognizes that being transgender is a normal variation of human identity, not a delusion or mental illness. By disregarding this expert consensus in favor of his own prejudices, Osborne is the one rejecting facts, not transgender advocates.

Inflammatory Rhetoric, Real-World Harms

Beyond the specific factual issues, it's important to recognize the overall tone and likely impact of Osborne's rhetoric. Throughout the piece, he uses charged and incendiary language, referring to "the holy god-child" of trans identity, and portraying inclusion as "mindless woke platitudes" rather than a matter of student well-being. This kind of language is designed to provoke outrage rather than understanding.

Osborne's article doesn't exist in a vacuum. It's part of a larger trend of escalating hostility and misinformation around transgender issues. 2024 has already seen record-breaking numbers of anti-trans bills introduced in state legislatures, many specifically targeting trans youth.¹⁴ Hate crimes against transgender people have risen sharply in recent years.¹⁵ 2024 has seen 29 Transgender and GNC deaths so far.¹⁶ This context makes fearmongering narratives like Osborne's even more irresponsible.

Painting trans people as confused, delusional, and dangerous contributes to a climate where discrimination and even violence against trans people is seen as justified. It stigmatizes an already vulnerable population and makes it even harder for them to access support. Imagine being a trans kid and reading an article that calls your identity a fraud and your very existence a threat. This kind of rhetoric has real potential to worsen gender dysphoria, encourage self-loathing, and make trans youth feel unwelcome and unsafe in their own communities.

Equality Over Anecdotes: Fundamental Rights and Human Decency

Ultimately, Osborne's arguments boil down to the idea that the mere presence of transgender people, particularly youth, is a threat to school safety and that respecting their identities is a misguided concession. But this worldview is incompatible with the fundamental values of equality, diversity and human rights that should guide our society.

Transgender people exist. They have always existed and they will always exist. And they have the same rights as everyone else to live freely and authentically, regardless of how well they conform to traditional gender expectations. A young person's gender identity is not a choice or a trend - it is a core part of who they are. Respecting that truth is a matter of basic decency.

A few cherry-picked examples of bad behavior does not justify systemic discrimination against an entire group of people. We would never accept that argument about any other marginalized group. The fact that Osborne thinks it's a convincing case against trans inclusion reveals his underlying biases.

All students, regardless of gender identity, deserve to feel safe, welcome and supported at school. That means creating policies that protect everyone's privacy, dignity and right to learn. It means teaching understanding and inclusion, not fear and prejudice. And it means holding all individuals accountable for their actions as individuals, not using isolated incidents to demonize an entire group.

Bringing it all together…

Osborne's article is a textbook example of how anecdotes, pseudoscience and selective reporting can be weaponized to push an agenda. It's not a good-faith exploration of the complex realities of transgender youth - it's a fearmongering propaganda piece designed to make trans inclusion seem dangerous and misguided. But the arguments simply don't hold up to scrutiny.

The science is clear: affirming young people's gender identity is profoundly beneficial for their mental health and well-being.¹⁷¹⁸ There is no epidemic of trans violence in schools, and no evidence that respecting trans students makes schools less safe. What does make schools less safe is the kind of prejudice, stigma and dehumanization that Osborne is peddling.

As responsible members of society, we have a duty to call out misinformation like this and advocate for the equal rights of all people. Supporting trans youth is not a matter of ideology or political correctness - it's about extending basic human compassion, dignity and respect to a group of young people who are far too often marginalized and misunderstood.

The struggle for transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time. Articles like Osborne's are a reminder of how much work there is still to do in combating ignorance and bigotry. But they are also an opportunity to educate, to counter fear with facts, and to reaffirm our commitment to building a society where everyone can thrive as their authentic self.

So to any trans kids reading this: know that you are seen, you are valid, and you are loved. Don't let the Matt Osbornes of the world make you doubt your own truth. And to everyone else: it's time to stand up for trans youth. Because when we fight for the most vulnerable among us, we create a better world for all.

1. The Distance. (2024, October 4). Save (Us All From) The 'Trans Kids'. The Distance Magazine. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://www.thedistancemag.com/p/save-us-all-from-the-trans-kids

2. https://substack.com/@mattosborne/posts

3. Zenkus, A. [@anthonyzenkus]. (2024, October 5). 4 shooters out of over 300 mass shooters since 2009 are transgender or non binary. That's just 1.3 percent of all shooters. You just proved our point: 99 percent of mass shooters in the United States are cis gendered. [Tweet]. Twitter. https://x.com/anthonyzenkus/status/1640644974600413184

4. Gun Violence Archive. (n.d.). Standard reports. https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/reports and
https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/past-tolls

5. Reuters. (n.d.). Fact check: Majority of US mass shooters are cis men, not transgender or non-binary people. Reuters. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://www.reuters.com/article/fact-check/majority-of-us-mass-shooters-are-cis-men-not-transgender-or-non-binary-people-idUSL1N363273/

6. As the number of mass shootings not attributed to a transgender shooter climb, this goes down. Already this is at less than 1 in 1000.

7. Herman, J. L., Flores, A. R., & O'Neill, K. K. (2022). How many adults and youth identify as transgender in the United States? The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law. https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/trans-adults-united-states/

8. Reuters staff. (2022, June 10). New study estimates 1.6 million in U.S. identify as transgender. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/new-study-estimates-16-million-us-identify-transgender-2022-06-10/

9. World Population Review. (2024). What percentage of the population is transgender in 2024? https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/transgender-population-by-state

10. Dowd, R. (2021, March 23). Transgender people over four times more likely than cisgender people to be victims of violent crime. The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/press/ncvs-trans-press-release/

11. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2022). Violent victimization by sexual orientation and gender identity, 2017–2020. https://bjs.ojp.gov/library/publications/violent-victimization-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-2017-2020. Link: https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/vvsogi1720.pdf

12. Flores, Andrew R.  et al.,Victimization rates and traits of sexual and gender minorities in the United States: Results from the National Crime Victimization Survey, 2017.Sci. Adv.6,eaba6910(2020).DOI:10.1126/sciadv.aba6910

13. Turban JL, King D, Carswell JM, Keuroghlian AS. Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of Suicidal Ideation. Pediatrics. 2020;145(2):e20191725. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-1725 Link: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/145/2/e20191725/68259/Pubertal-Suppression-for-Transgender-Youth-and

14. Lavietes, M., & Ramos, E. (2024). Nearly 240 anti-LGBTQ bills filed in 2024 so far, most of them targeting trans people. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/nearly-240-anti-lgbtq-bills-filed-2024-far-targeting-trans-people-rcna20418

15. HRC (2021). 2021 Marking the Deadliest Year on Record, Human Rights Campaign Announces Release of Annual Report on Violence Against Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming People . Human Rights Campaign. https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/marking-the-deadliest-year-on-record-human-rights-campaign-announces-release-of-annual-report-on-violence-against-transgender-and-gender-non-conforming-people

16. HRC (2024) Fatal Violence Against the Transgender and Gender-Expansive Community in 2024. Human Rights Campaign. https://www.hrc.org/resources/fatal-violence-against-the-transgender-and-gender-expansive-community-in-2024

17. Rafferty J; Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health; Committee on Adolescence; Section on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health and Wellness. Ensuring Comprehensive Care and Support for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics. 2018;142(4):e20182162. doi:10.1542/peds.2018-2162. Link: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/4/e20182162/37381/Ensuring-Comprehensive-Care-and-Support-for

18. Olson KR, Durwood L, DeMeules M, McLaughlin KA. Mental Health of Transgender Children Who Are Supported in Their Identities. Pediatrics. 2016;137(3):e20153223. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-3223. Link: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/137/3/e20153223/81409/Mental-Health-of-Transgender-Children-Who-Are?redirectedFrom=fulltext