Liberal candidate Katherine Deves linked trans kids and autism in submission

Controversial Liberal candidate Katherine Deves claimed many trans children were on the autism spectrum, in the latest unearthed comments from the PM’s pick.

Liberal candidate Katherine Deves believes many trans children diagnosed with “gender dysphoria” are simply on the autism spectrum.

In the latest unearthed comments from the political candidate for Warringah in NSW, Ms Deves authored a submission also suggesting that gender non-conforming children and teenagers “would likely grow up to be gay or lesbian if they are left alone”.

The submission also claims that establishing gender neutral toilets can lead to an increase in urinary tract infections (UTIs) because children and teens are fearful of going to the toilet.

Arguing against the need for medical interventions, she states that rather than needing hormones or surgery, many had pre-existing mental health issues or were on the autism spectrum.

“There is a growing group of concerned parents who have suffered already due to this policy - ordinary, caring, diligent parents whose children have come to believe “transitioning” is a solution to their problems,’’ the Save Our Women’s Sport submission states.

“Many children ‘diagnosed’ with ‘gender dysphoria’ have pre-existing mental health issues; are on the autism spectrum; or are simply gender non-conforming and would likely grow up to be gay or Lesbian if they are left alone.”

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Katherine Deves made the comments in a submission by group Save Women's Sport Australia. Picture: Nikki Short

There is some scientific research including by the University of Cambridge that people who do not identify with the sex they were assigned at birth are three to six times as likely to be autistic.

However, other scientists have cautioned that the biological relationship between gender dysphoria and autism is not well understood and the risk is that linking gender dysphoria to autism could lead to discrimination.

A British researcher Simon Baron-Cohen has sparked controversy with his “extreme male brain theory”, which claims high levels of testosterone (a male hormone) in the womb results in an extreme male brain or male pattern of thought, which leads to both autism and gender dysphoria.

However, this hypothesis only potentially applies to females who develop ASD and gender dysphoria.

On April 21, 2021 Save Women’s Sport Australasia founder and spokeswoman Ms Deves also appeared at a hearing of the Education Committee of the NSW Legislative Council, chaired by NSW One Nation Leader Mark Latham.

The hearing was established as part of an inquiry into Latham’s bill to “prohibit the teaching of the ideology of gender fluidity to children in schools”.

Ms Deves represented the group at a hearing of the Education Committee of the NSW Legislative Council, chaired by NSW One Nation Leader Mark Latham. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

The submission to the NSW inquiry also claims girls will get UTIs if school toilets are unisex.

“There is ample evidence of girls being adversely affected at school via rebranding of female toilets as ‘gender neutral’ or allowing biological males access to this space,” the submission states.

“There are reports of girls electing to self-exclude, being subjected to period-shaming, and refraining from eating and drinking (with a commensurate rise in UTIs).”

The written submission also claims that simply allowing the discussion of gender identity in the classroom could lead to children being taught that “girls have penises”.

“Arguing that NSW school children should be taught factually untrue and ideological concepts such as human beings can ‘change sex’, or ‘boys can be girls, or have periods’ and some ‘girls have penises’,” it states.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is under pressure to dump Ms Deves as a candidate. Picture: Jason Edwards

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is under intense pressure to dump Ms Deves who previously said transgender teenagers are being “surgically mutilated”.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean took the extraordinary step on Friday night of demanding the Prime Minister dump Liberal candidate for Warringah Katherine Deves over her “horrendous” views.

He told news.com.au that the Prime Minister must disendorse her as a candidate.

“This is not an intolerant society,” he said

“These kinds of horrendous views are not okay, and I’m sure the voters of Warringah agree. Time for the Liberal Party to beat them to it and disendorse her.”

Mr Kean added: “There is no place in a mainstream political party for bigotry.

“Coming out as transgender would be hugely challenging, especially for kids, and political leaders should be condemning the persecution of people based on their gender, not participating in it.”

News.com.au broke the story that Katherine Deves had deleted her Twitter account after becoming a candidate. Picture: Supplied

His intervention followed calls by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s to end the “pile on” of a “brave woman.”

Former Prime Minister John Howard has also backed Deves as she faces a grassroots revolt over her views on trans teenagers.

Mr Howard has joined Tony Abbott, the former Member for Warringah, in backing the rookie candidate.

“Mr Howard strongly supports Ms Katherine Deves. She is the endorsed Liberal candidate,” a spokesman told news.com.au.

But a leaked email obtained by news.com.au from Condamine Liberal Party branch president Walter Villatora has voiced fury about the candidate for Warringah.

“I’m sorry Jeff, presidents and many members are calling for Ms Deves resignation in light of her hurtful and divisive comments that have proliferated the media,” he wrote.

“Particularly in the last few days, focusing on Nazis, sex offenders and the physical mutilation of young people.

News.com.au broke the story on Tuesday night that Ms Deves had deleted her Twitter account after becoming a candidate.

But a search of archived posts revealed she had suggested trans children were surgically mutilated and that she found the rainbow Pride flag “triggering”.

She later issued a public apology for her language and vowed to prosecute her campaign with respect.

Originally published as Liberal candidate Katherine Deves linked trans kids and autism in submission