Katherine Deves, co-founder of Save Women’s Sport Australasia and as former Liberal Party candidate for the seat of Warringah, brought to the Australian public’s attention (2021-22) the shocking news of the medicalisation, mutilation and sterilisation of children. She was subject to significant public ridicule, misrepresentation, lies and character assassination in mainstream media. The following examples highlight key instances where statements attributed to her were distorted or taken out of context, often mischaracterising or lying about her positions and views. As the media took a dismissive stance against those speaking up for the sex based rights of women and the safeguarding of children.

It’s been 2 years on, its worth looking at the common lies and misrepresentations, as how over time we can see #KatherineDevesWasRight
 

1: Alleged Claims about Transgender Individuals and Sex Offences

It has been reported that Katherine Deves claimed, "Half of men who transition are sex offenders" (as referenced in articles by Tracey Holmes, Heath Parkes-Hupton, and statements on RN Breakfast).

However, this assertion distorts the context of her remarks. Deves was specifically referencing data about prisoners, stating: "Half of all males with trans identities are sex offenders, compared with less than 20% for the rest of the male estate."

This statement aligns with official statistics from the UK Ministry of Justice. In 2018, data revealed that half of the known transgender prisoners in April 2017 had at least one conviction for a sexual offence, compared to approximately 20% of the general male prison population. Highlighting these statistics is not an attack on transgender individuals but rather a contribution to the discussion about the need for women-only prisons.
 

2: Comparing Transgender people to Nazis

Media outlets, including an article by Tracey Holmes, claimed that Deves likened transgender activists to Nazis. The comments cited were made during a webcast with Graham Linehan on April 21, 2021. In this discussion, Deves spoke about the personal risks associated with opposing perceived injustices. The broader context of her remarks focused on the courage required to take unpopular stances and was not intended as a direct comparison between individuals or groups.

“I think for me personally also like I’ve always loved 20th century history and i i think many people would would say to themselves ‘Oh, I’d never be the villagers that stayed quiet while they you know the trains went past.” Or whatever “I would have been part of the french resistance the underground” you know, “I would have been one of those people” and when all of this was happening and no one was sort of speaking out I thought, “God, this is it this is the moment in my life where i am going to have to stand up and say something against the status quo and against the establishment and say i don't think this is right” And it might come at a cost to me but i have to say.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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3: "Vilification" of Young Trans People

Deves has been accused of vilifying young transgender individuals by stating that some have been "surgically mutilated and sterilised" (RN Breakfast). This criticism misrepresents her point, which was a critique of current medical practices. Numerous medical professionals and commentators, have raised similar concerns about the irreversible harm that may result from certain interventions on minors. Deves’ statements reflected a valid critique rather than an attack on individuals.
It’s now December 2024 and the UK has put a permanent ban on Puberty Blockers, prior to that, then and now any journalist worth his salt would have noticed the following key events:

2024

• November: New Zealand’s Ministry of Health releases an evidence brief concluding that there is insufficient evidence to claim puberty blockers are safe or reversible, advising caution in prescribing.

• September: 46 Australian doctors call for a retraction of a misleading 'Evidence Check' on puberty blockers commissioned by the NSW Government.

• May: The UK Government and the German Medical Assembly restrict puberty blocker access to clinical trials.

• March-April: England's NHS halts routine puberty blocker prescriptions, citing weak evidence. The Cass Review reinforces concerns about exceptionalizing gender care.

2023

• July: Australian medical indemnity insurer MDA National and child psychiatrists raise alarms over inadequate evidence and the risks of affirming models.

• March: The Norwegian Healthcare Investigation Board recommends restricting puberty blockers to clinical research settings.

• January: The Italian Psychoanalytic Society and a study from Westmead Children's Hospital in Australia highlight risks of misdiagnosis and harm in gender-affirming treatments for minors.

2022

• July: The Tavistock Clinic in the UK is closed after an independent review by the Cass Review exposes gaps in evidence for gender-affirming care.

• March: The Australian National Association of Practicing Psychiatrists warns against gender-affirming treatments, citing risks and the lack of consensus on their benefits.

• February: The French National Academy of Medicine and Sweden's National Board of Health and Welfare express serious concerns about the risks of puberty blockers, emphasizing the need for caution due to over-diagnosis and lack of robust evidence.

Main stream media ignore the fact that major medical organisations align with global shifts that prioritise evidence-based approaches, are calling for critical scrutiny of gender-affirming care for minors due to significant risks, ethical concerns, and lack of high-quality evidence. Kath Deves was ridiculed for doing no more than doing her homework.

 

4: Fabricated Scenarios about Women’s Sports

Samantha Maiden, during an appearance on Insiders, characterised Deves’ position as: "Katherine Deves is a very articulate, very photogenic, very passionate person arguing that essentially Australian netball teams are going to be overrun by a rampaging army of six foot hairy men in dresses, right? This is the idea, right?"
This portrayal, echoed by host David Speers, was not based on any statement made by Deves. Such exaggerations serve to trivialise legitimate concerns about fairness and safety in women’s sports. To date 717 women have lost 1055 medals in 518 competitions over 35 sports. A list can be found here: https://www.shewon.org/

 

5: Allegations of Homophobia

Julia Baird, writing for the Sydney Morning Herald, suggested that Deves holds homophobic views. However, Deves has consistently advocated for the rights of lesbians and gay individuals to maintain dignity in their sex, sexuality, and spaces. Her brother and her baby sitter are gay and two prominent friends are lesbian. The only evidence cited for these claims is her critique of the use of the rainbow flag to promote the most extreme demands of trans activists, a position far from homophobic. Not to meniton shared by a number of gay organisations; LGB Alliance Australia, LGB Defence, LGB Tasmania, CoAL, LAG and others.

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Conclusion
 

​​​​​​​​​This is our legacy media, lies, misrepresenting women who speak up for women and children regardless of the damages to reputations, the under mining of public discourse on critical issues. And a few years on struggling to get an audience as the majority turn to other sources to get a balanced and truthful report.

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