Revisiting Episode 2: The Contagion of ROGD

We explore the new phenomenon of adolescent-onset gender dysphoria, how it arises and how it impacts families

We’re continuing our journey back to the early days of Gender: A Wider Lens, revisiting some of the foundational conversations that helped shape our thinking—and, we hope, helped many listeners make sense of the rapidly changing gender landscape.

In Episode 2, originally released in December 18 2020, we tackled a topic that was only just beginning to surface in mainstream discourse: Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD). At the time, the idea that gender distress could emerge suddenly during adolescence—particularly among natal females with no prior history of dysphoria—was deeply controversial. And yet, it was something we were witnessing again and again in clinical practice.

In this episode, we explored the theory of social contagion, looked at the work of Dr Lisa Littman, and discussed why ROGD seemed to be appearing in peer groups, often alongside other mental health struggles. We also talked about the pushback against the ROGD concept—how quickly it was politicised, misrepresented, and dismissed without serious engagement.

Now, several years later, the idea of ROGD has entered public conversation in a much more substantial way. Clinicians, researchers, and policymakers are no longer able to ignore what parents, teachers, and therapists have been reporting for years.

We invite you to listen (or re-listen) to this episode with fresh ears, reflecting on what’s changed—and what hasn’t—since we first recorded it.

🎧 Watch Episode 2: The Contagion of ROGD
👉 YouTube link

Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Has your perspective shifted since you first heard this episode? Are there aspects of ROGD that you think still aren't getting enough attention?

Warmly,
Stella & Sasha