Benjamin Ryan
@benryanwriter.bsky.social
🔬Health & science reporter: New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic, NBC News, The Guardian, NY Sun, The Nation, NY Post. http://www.benryan.net 🔹 https://benryan.substack.com 🔹Columbia grad🔹
Pinned
A Legal First That Could Change Gender Medicine
At 16, Fox Varian got a mastectomy while undergoing a gender transition. She sued her psychologist and plastic surgeon for leaving her ‘disfigured for life.’ Benjamin Ryan reports from the courtroom.
www.thefp.com
A Legal First That Could Change Gender Medicine
At 16, Fox Varian got a mastectomy while undergoing a gender transition. She sued her psychologist and plastic surgeon for leaving her ‘disfigured for life.’ Benjamin Ryan reports from the courtroom.
www.thefp.com/p/a-legal-fi...
At 16, Fox Varian got a mastectomy while undergoing a gender transition. She sued her psychologist and plastic surgeon for leaving her ‘disfigured for life.’ Benjamin Ryan reports from the courtroom.
www.thefp.com/p/a-legal-fi...
Tensions Flare Within Plastic Surgery Group Over New Policy Opposing Youth Gender Surgeries
An American Society of Plastic Surgeons task force charged with examining the issue was, to their chagrin, cut out of the loop when the ASPS board issued its new policy.
benryan.substack.com/p/tensions-f...
An American Society of Plastic Surgeons task force charged with examining the issue was, to their chagrin, cut out of the loop when the ASPS board issued its new policy.
benryan.substack.com/p/tensions-f...
Tensions Flare Within Plastic Surgery Group Over New Policy Opposing Youth Gender Surgeries
An American Society of Plastic Surgeons task force charged with examining the issue of such surgeries was, to their chagrin, cut out of the loop when the ASPS board issued its new policy last week.
benryan.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Tensions Flare Within Plastic Surgery Group Over New Policy Opposing Youth Gender Surgeries
An American Society of Plastic Surgeons task force charged with examining the issue was, to their chagrin, cut out of the loop when the ASPS board issued its new policy.
benryan.substack.com/p/tensions-f...
An American Society of Plastic Surgeons task force charged with examining the issue was, to their chagrin, cut out of the loop when the ASPS board issued its new policy.
benryan.substack.com/p/tensions-f...
Reposted by Benjamin Ryan
Live with Katie Herzog & Ben Ryan • A recording from Blocked and Reported's live video
Live with Katie Herzog & Ben Ryan
A recording from Blocked and Reported's live video
www.blockedandreported.org
February 7, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Live with Katie Herzog & Ben Ryan • A recording from Blocked and Reported's live video
Britain’s Good Law Project Again Claims the NHS Caused a Surge of Trans-Youth Suicides—Without Proving Its Case
benryan.substack.com/p/britains-g...
GLP has falsely claimed the NHS all but eliminated access to puberty blockers starting in 2021 and that this led to a suicide surge.
benryan.substack.com/p/britains-g...
GLP has falsely claimed the NHS all but eliminated access to puberty blockers starting in 2021 and that this led to a suicide surge.
Britain’s Good Law Project Again Claims the NHS Caused a Surge of Trans-Youth Suicides—Without Proving Its Case
GLP has falsely claimed the NHS all but eliminated access to puberty blockers starting in 2021 and that this led to a suicide surge, based on data too unspecific to connect such deaths to NHS policy.
benryan.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Britain’s Good Law Project Again Claims the NHS Caused a Surge of Trans-Youth Suicides—Without Proving Its Case
benryan.substack.com/p/britains-g...
GLP has falsely claimed the NHS all but eliminated access to puberty blockers starting in 2021 and that this led to a suicide surge.
benryan.substack.com/p/britains-g...
GLP has falsely claimed the NHS all but eliminated access to puberty blockers starting in 2021 and that this led to a suicide surge.
On CBS, I reported on the $2M judgment in the 1st detransitioner civil suit to go to trial. I recalled the mom saying her daughter’s psychologist browbeat her into consenting to a gender-transition mastectomy for the 16 year old. But WPATH’s president elect testified surgery isn’t suicide prevention
February 5, 2026 at 2:54 AM
On CBS, I reported on the $2M judgment in the 1st detransitioner civil suit to go to trial. I recalled the mom saying her daughter’s psychologist browbeat her into consenting to a gender-transition mastectomy for the 16 year old. But WPATH’s president elect testified surgery isn’t suicide prevention
Thanks to @cbsnews.com 24/7 and @lindseyreiser.bsky.social for having me on to discuss the historic $2M verdict in the first detransitioner lawsuit ever to go to trail. www.cbsnews.com/video/woman-...
February 4, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Thanks to @cbsnews.com 24/7 and @lindseyreiser.bsky.social for having me on to discuss the historic $2M verdict in the first detransitioner lawsuit ever to go to trail. www.cbsnews.com/video/woman-...
www.cbsnews.com/live/
I’ll be on CBS 24/7 at 2:19pm today to talk about my reporting about the historic $2M detransitioner lawsuit that I covered for The Free Press.
I’ll be on CBS 24/7 at 2:19pm today to talk about my reporting about the historic $2M detransitioner lawsuit that I covered for The Free Press.
CBS News 24/7
CBS News 24/7 is your trusted source to watch live news for free. Stream today's top stories and breaking news right now.
www.cbsnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:02 PM
www.cbsnews.com/live/
I’ll be on CBS 24/7 at 2:19pm today to talk about my reporting about the historic $2M detransitioner lawsuit that I covered for The Free Press.
I’ll be on CBS 24/7 at 2:19pm today to talk about my reporting about the historic $2M detransitioner lawsuit that I covered for The Free Press.
The $2M Detransitioner Lawsuit Case File Remains Sealed. Here Are the Sealed Expert Witness Affidavits, Which I Obtained.
To add to the previous batch of sealed files I obtained, I'm publishing the three expert witness statements in the lawsuit.
benryan.substack.com/p/the-2m-det...
To add to the previous batch of sealed files I obtained, I'm publishing the three expert witness statements in the lawsuit.
benryan.substack.com/p/the-2m-det...
The $2M Detransitioner Lawsuit Case File Remains Sealed. Here Are the Sealed Expert Witness Affidavits, Which I Obtained.
To add to the previous batch of sealed files I obtained, I'm publishing the three expert witness statements in the historic $2 million detransitioner lawsuit, which I covered for The Free Press.
benryan.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:34 PM
The $2M Detransitioner Lawsuit Case File Remains Sealed. Here Are the Sealed Expert Witness Affidavits, Which I Obtained.
To add to the previous batch of sealed files I obtained, I'm publishing the three expert witness statements in the lawsuit.
benryan.substack.com/p/the-2m-det...
To add to the previous batch of sealed files I obtained, I'm publishing the three expert witness statements in the lawsuit.
benryan.substack.com/p/the-2m-det...
Reposted by Benjamin Ryan
On Tuesday, the American Society for Plastic Surgeons came out in opposition to providing gender-transition surgeries to minors.
The recommendation is the first of its kind from a mainstream medical association.
@benryanwriter.bsky.social reports for UnHerd. unherd.com/2026/02/plas...
The recommendation is the first of its kind from a mainstream medical association.
@benryanwriter.bsky.social reports for UnHerd. unherd.com/2026/02/plas...
Plastic surgeons ditch gender ideology
unherd.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:31 AM
On Tuesday, the American Society for Plastic Surgeons came out in opposition to providing gender-transition surgeries to minors.
The recommendation is the first of its kind from a mainstream medical association.
@benryanwriter.bsky.social reports for UnHerd. unherd.com/2026/02/plas...
The recommendation is the first of its kind from a mainstream medical association.
@benryanwriter.bsky.social reports for UnHerd. unherd.com/2026/02/plas...
Reposted by Benjamin Ryan
I would like you to look into the face of the mother of the plaintiff in this case after she testified about her child’s psychologist browbeating her into consenting to a surgery her daughter didn’t need and that left her maimed. I’d like you to try to tell her that her pain is invalid.
February 3, 2026 at 3:56 AM
I would like you to look into the face of the mother of the plaintiff in this case after she testified about her child’s psychologist browbeating her into consenting to a surgery her daughter didn’t need and that left her maimed. I’d like you to try to tell her that her pain is invalid.
Almost total crickets here on Bluesky about the historic $2M jury award in the first detransitioner lawsuit to make it to trial.
Very telling, is all I can say.
Very telling, is all I can say.
A Legal First That Could Change Gender Medicine
At 16, Fox Varian got a mastectomy while undergoing a gender transition. She sued her psychologist and plastic surgeon for leaving her ‘disfigured for life.’ Benjamin Ryan reports from the courtroom.
www.thefp.com/p/a-legal-fi...
At 16, Fox Varian got a mastectomy while undergoing a gender transition. She sued her psychologist and plastic surgeon for leaving her ‘disfigured for life.’ Benjamin Ryan reports from the courtroom.
www.thefp.com/p/a-legal-fi...
A Legal First That Could Change Gender Medicine
At 16, Fox Varian got a mastectomy while undergoing a gender transition. She sued her psychologist and plastic surgeon for leaving her ‘disfigured for life.’ Benjamin Ryan reports from the courtroom.
www.thefp.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Almost total crickets here on Bluesky about the historic $2M jury award in the first detransitioner lawsuit to make it to trial.
Very telling, is all I can say.
Very telling, is all I can say.
Almost no one on Bluesky is talking about the historic $2M jury award in the first detransitioner lawsuit to go to trial. I was the only journalist to attend the entire three-week trial. www.thefp.com/p/a-legal-fi...
February 2, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Almost no one on Bluesky is talking about the historic $2M jury award in the first detransitioner lawsuit to go to trial. I was the only journalist to attend the entire three-week trial. www.thefp.com/p/a-legal-fi...
Reposted by Benjamin Ryan
At 16, Fox Varian got a mastectomy while undergoing a gender transition. She sued her psychologist and plastic surgeon for leaving her ‘disfigured for life.’ Benjamin Ryan reports from the courtroom.
A Legal First That Could Change Gender Medicine
At 16, Fox Varian got a mastectomy while undergoing a gender transition. She sued her psychologist and plastic surgeon for leaving her ‘disfigured for life.’ Benjamin Ryan reports from the courtroom.
bit.ly
February 2, 2026 at 4:00 AM
At 16, Fox Varian got a mastectomy while undergoing a gender transition. She sued her psychologist and plastic surgeon for leaving her ‘disfigured for life.’ Benjamin Ryan reports from the courtroom.
A Legal First That Could Change Gender Medicine
At 16, Fox Varian got a mastectomy while undergoing a gender transition. She sued her psychologist and plastic surgeon for leaving her ‘disfigured for life.’ Benjamin Ryan reports from the courtroom.
www.thefp.com/p/a-legal-fi...
At 16, Fox Varian got a mastectomy while undergoing a gender transition. She sued her psychologist and plastic surgeon for leaving her ‘disfigured for life.’ Benjamin Ryan reports from the courtroom.
www.thefp.com/p/a-legal-fi...
A Legal First That Could Change Gender Medicine
At 16, Fox Varian got a mastectomy while undergoing a gender transition. She sued her psychologist and plastic surgeon for leaving her ‘disfigured for life.’ Benjamin Ryan reports from the courtroom.
www.thefp.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:00 AM
A Legal First That Could Change Gender Medicine
At 16, Fox Varian got a mastectomy while undergoing a gender transition. She sued her psychologist and plastic surgeon for leaving her ‘disfigured for life.’ Benjamin Ryan reports from the courtroom.
www.thefp.com/p/a-legal-fi...
At 16, Fox Varian got a mastectomy while undergoing a gender transition. She sued her psychologist and plastic surgeon for leaving her ‘disfigured for life.’ Benjamin Ryan reports from the courtroom.
www.thefp.com/p/a-legal-fi...
BREAKING: 1st Detransitioner to Take a Medical-Malpractice Lawsuit to Trial Wins $2 Million Judgement
Fox Varian sued her Westchester psychologist and plastic surgeon for the gender-transition mastectomy she got at 16.
Follow my Substack for an alert about the full story: substack.com/@benryan
Fox Varian sued her Westchester psychologist and plastic surgeon for the gender-transition mastectomy she got at 16.
Follow my Substack for an alert about the full story: substack.com/@benryan
January 31, 2026 at 12:49 AM
BREAKING: 1st Detransitioner to Take a Medical-Malpractice Lawsuit to Trial Wins $2 Million Judgement
Fox Varian sued her Westchester psychologist and plastic surgeon for the gender-transition mastectomy she got at 16.
Follow my Substack for an alert about the full story: substack.com/@benryan
Fox Varian sued her Westchester psychologist and plastic surgeon for the gender-transition mastectomy she got at 16.
Follow my Substack for an alert about the full story: substack.com/@benryan
Reposted by Benjamin Ryan
NEW: Trump pardoned a porta-potty magnate named Arie Eric De Jong III who was sentenced to 5 months in federal prison for illegally disposing of sludge in cities across southern California.
January 16, 2026 at 10:27 PM
NEW: Trump pardoned a porta-potty magnate named Arie Eric De Jong III who was sentenced to 5 months in federal prison for illegally disposing of sludge in cities across southern California.
Missouri Supreme Court upholds state’s gender-affirming care restrictions
The state’s highest court rejected arguments that a ban on gender-affirming care is discriminatory in nature.
missouriindependent.com/2026/01/13/m...
The state’s highest court rejected arguments that a ban on gender-affirming care is discriminatory in nature.
missouriindependent.com/2026/01/13/m...
Missouri Supreme Court upholds state’s gender-affirming care restrictions • Missouri Independent
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled unanimously to uphold a state law barring minors from accessing gender-affirming care.
missouriindependent.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:16 AM
Missouri Supreme Court upholds state’s gender-affirming care restrictions
The state’s highest court rejected arguments that a ban on gender-affirming care is discriminatory in nature.
missouriindependent.com/2026/01/13/m...
The state’s highest court rejected arguments that a ban on gender-affirming care is discriminatory in nature.
missouriindependent.com/2026/01/13/m...
Today you are going to see a lot of media outlets using the term “sex assigned at birth” when discussing the Supreme Court oral arguments on the laws restricting sports by biological sex.
Here is why they shouldn’t use that term:
open.substack.com/pub/benryan/...
Here is why they shouldn’t use that term:
open.substack.com/pub/benryan/...
Journalists Should Not Use the Term “Assigned Sex at Birth” When Covering Transgender Issues
A political-activist term misappropriated from the intersex context, it sticks a thumb on the scale regarding a contested legal issue about which reporters should strive to observe neutrality.
open.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Today you are going to see a lot of media outlets using the term “sex assigned at birth” when discussing the Supreme Court oral arguments on the laws restricting sports by biological sex.
Here is why they shouldn’t use that term:
open.substack.com/pub/benryan/...
Here is why they shouldn’t use that term:
open.substack.com/pub/benryan/...
Supreme Court To Grapple With the Role of Transgender Athletes in Sports
I report for @newyorksun.bsky.social: On Tues, the justices will hear oral arguments about Idaho & West Virginia laws that restrict those born male from sports specifically for girls and women. www.nysun.com/article/supr...
I report for @newyorksun.bsky.social: On Tues, the justices will hear oral arguments about Idaho & West Virginia laws that restrict those born male from sports specifically for girls and women. www.nysun.com/article/supr...
Supreme Court To Grapple With the Role of Transgender Athletes in Sports
On Tuesday, the justices will hear oral arguments about Idaho and West Virginia laws that restrict those born male from sports specifically for girls and…
www.nysun.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Supreme Court To Grapple With the Role of Transgender Athletes in Sports
I report for @newyorksun.bsky.social: On Tues, the justices will hear oral arguments about Idaho & West Virginia laws that restrict those born male from sports specifically for girls and women. www.nysun.com/article/supr...
I report for @newyorksun.bsky.social: On Tues, the justices will hear oral arguments about Idaho & West Virginia laws that restrict those born male from sports specifically for girls and women. www.nysun.com/article/supr...
In a pod with @imarajones.bsky.social about the SCOTUS case about laws restricting sports by natal sex, the ACLU’s Chase Strangio asserts that the public is being “tricked into co-opting an anti-trans narrative that is really about building fascist institutions.” podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Anti-Trans Sports Bans Head to SCOTUS with Chase Strangio
Podcast Episode · TransLash Podcast with Imara Jones · 01/08/2026 · 32m
podcasts.apple.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:32 AM
In a pod with @imarajones.bsky.social about the SCOTUS case about laws restricting sports by natal sex, the ACLU’s Chase Strangio asserts that the public is being “tricked into co-opting an anti-trans narrative that is really about building fascist institutions.” podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Reposted by Benjamin Ryan
This is excellent.
This aside is why I have lost trust in so many journalists.
This aside is why I have lost trust in so many journalists.
January 9, 2026 at 12:52 AM
This is excellent.
This aside is why I have lost trust in so many journalists.
This aside is why I have lost trust in so many journalists.
Journalists Should Not Use the Term “Assigned Sex at Birth” When Covering Transgender Issues
A political-activist term misappropriated from the intersex context, it sticks a thumb on the scale regarding a contested issue about which reporters seek neutrality.
benryan.substack.com/p/journalist...
A political-activist term misappropriated from the intersex context, it sticks a thumb on the scale regarding a contested issue about which reporters seek neutrality.
benryan.substack.com/p/journalist...
Journalists Should Not Use the Term “Assigned Sex at Birth” When Covering Transgender Issues
A political-activist term misappropriated from the intersex context, it sticks a thumb on the scale regarding a contested legal issue about which reporters should strive to observe neutrality.
benryan.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:26 AM
Journalists Should Not Use the Term “Assigned Sex at Birth” When Covering Transgender Issues
A political-activist term misappropriated from the intersex context, it sticks a thumb on the scale regarding a contested issue about which reporters seek neutrality.
benryan.substack.com/p/journalist...
A political-activist term misappropriated from the intersex context, it sticks a thumb on the scale regarding a contested issue about which reporters seek neutrality.
benryan.substack.com/p/journalist...
Here is a close-up, slow-motion video of the ICE shooting incident in Minneapolis:
January 7, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Here is a close-up, slow-motion video of the ICE shooting incident in Minneapolis:
In the wake of the ICE shooting, Mayor Jacob Frey says: “To ICE, get the fuck out of Minneapolis.”
January 7, 2026 at 7:44 PM
In the wake of the ICE shooting, Mayor Jacob Frey says: “To ICE, get the fuck out of Minneapolis.”
The New York Times responds to a @transnews.network Q and A with a former Times editor that the paper assets is riddled with errors and “did not meet the most basic journalistic standards of fairness or accuracy.”
www.nytco.com/press/fact-c...
www.nytco.com/press/fact-c...
Fact-Checking False Claims about our Gender Identity Coverage | The New York Times Company
A recent post from Trans News Network included numerous falsehoods about New York Times stories on gender identity and maligned some of the journalists involved in the work. Our coverage is guided by…
www.nytco.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:11 PM
The New York Times responds to a @transnews.network Q and A with a former Times editor that the paper assets is riddled with errors and “did not meet the most basic journalistic standards of fairness or accuracy.”
www.nytco.com/press/fact-c...
www.nytco.com/press/fact-c...