A $10 million study on the mental health effects of puberty blockers in transgender youth has become a focal point in the ongoing debate over gender-affirming care in the United States. Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, a prominent advocate for transgender rights and the study’s lead researcher, has chosen to withhold the results, citing concerns that the findings could be used against gender-affirming care for children. This decision has sparked criticism from both fellow researchers and opponents of puberty blockers, who argue that withholding the study is contrary to scientific standards.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study, which began in 2015, tracked 95 children, with an average starting age of 11, as they received puberty blockers—medications designed to delay the onset of physical changes during puberty. After two years, the study found that the mental health of the children had not improved as a result of the treatment. Olson-Kennedy explained in an interview with The New York Times that the participants’ mental health was relatively stable before and after treatment, attributing the lack of significant change to the children being “in really good shape” mentally from the outset.

However, this finding contradicts earlier data gathered by the study, which indicated that roughly 25% of participants experienced symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts before starting treatment. The decision not to publish has raised questions about scientific transparency and integrity, particularly in a field where public opinion is sharply divided and access to reliable data is critical.

Critics argue that withholding research results due to concerns over their potential misuse sets a dangerous precedent. Amy Tishelman, a clinical and research psychologist who was involved in the study, told The New York Times that while she understands the fear of data being “weaponized,” the results should be made public. “No change isn’t necessarily a negative finding—there could be a preventative aspect to it,” she said, emphasizing the need for further investigation.

Erica Anderson, a clinical psychologist and expert on transgender youth, expressed her dismay, calling the decision “shocking” and “disturbing.” She argued that it is the responsibility of researchers to share their findings, regardless of the potential backlash, noting that “it’s not her prerogative to decide based on the results that she will or won’t publish them.”

Olson-Kennedy’s decision is rooted in concerns about how the study’s results could be used in legal battles against gender-affirming care for minors. She noted that critics might leverage the findings in court cases to challenge the use of puberty blockers, especially as more than 20 states have passed bans or restrictions on such treatments in recent years. Olson-Kennedy emphasized the need for a careful and thorough analysis before releasing the study, saying, “It has to be exactly on point, clear and concise. And that takes time.”

This delay has drawn criticism from those who believe that research should be released without bias, with the aim of fostering informed debate. Opponents of withholding the data argue that the results could contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the effects of puberty blockers and help inform future medical decisions.

The controversy around the study comes amid a broader international reevaluation of puberty blockers and gender-affirming care. England’s National Health Service (NHS) recently limited the use of puberty blockers for minors, following a review that found the evidence for their benefits was limited. Similarly, Finland’s leading pediatric gender medicine expert, Dr. Riittakerttu Kaltiala, has advised caution, stating that a majority of gender-questioning children eventually come to accept their bodies without the need for medical intervention.

In contrast, the 2011 Dutch study, which has served as a cornerstone for advocating puberty blockers, found that the treatment led to improved mental health and reduced emotional distress in transgender youth. The differing outcomes between the Dutch research and Olson-Kennedy’s study underscore the complexities of this evolving field.

With the scientific and medical community divided over the best approach to treating gender dysphoria in children, many stress the need for open access to research findings. Transparency in studies like Olson-Kennedy’s is seen as crucial for developing an evidence-based understanding of how best to support transgender youth. “We’re craving information about these medical treatments for gender-questioning youth,” Anderson said, adding that releasing such data helps ensure that the care provided is rooted in the best available science.

While Olson-Kennedy’s concerns about the potential misuse of the study’s findings are understandable, critics argue that the decision to withhold the data undermines the values of scientific integrity and public trust. As debates about gender-affirming care continue to unfold across the country, the need for clarity, honesty, and evidence has never been more pressing.

As the United Nations General Assembly convenes this week, we are also marking a grim milestone—seven months since Tigran Gambaryan, a devoted husband, father, and former U.S. government official, has been unjustly held captive in Nigeria. His situation grows increasingly dire with each passing day, as his health continues to deteriorate while the U.S. government, under the Biden-Harris administration, remains alarmingly silent.

Tigran Gambaryan is not just another name lost in the chaos of geopolitical games. He is a man who spent over a decade in the U.S. government fighting for law and order, tirelessly pursuing bad actors and establishing processes to ensure justice was upheld. A globally recognized expert in law enforcement, Tigran’s contributions have helped protect American interests abroad and at home. He is also a remarkable father to two young children, a loving husband, and a son who deserves to return home to his family.

However, today, Tigran finds himself trapped in an unjust system far away from the safety of the U.S., in Nigeria, where he has been held for over six months. His health has been in rapid decline. Suffering from an untreated herniated disc, severe tonsillitis, and other illnesses, Tigran is barely able to move and must drag himself from his cell due to being denied a wheelchair. His condition has worsened to the point where he is seen on crutches, as shown in this recent video.

He has also battled malaria and double pneumonia, all while being refused adequate medical care. To make matters worse, his legal team has been denied access to his medical records, and Nigerian authorities continue to obstruct any efforts to bring him relief.

Tigran’s wife’s heart-wrenching plea for his release is a painful reminder of the human toll this situation has taken. Her words highlight the sheer anguish and helplessness felt by a family that should not have to fight this battle alone.

Why has the U.S. government, particularly the Biden-Harris administration, failed to act decisively? Why is a man who dedicated his life to serving the American public being abandoned in his darkest hour? The State Department has privately expressed that Tigran cannot be declared unlawfully detained until his legal proceedings in Nigeria are concluded. However, this rationale rings hollow when you consider cases like that of Evan Gershkovich, a journalist detained in Russia, who was declared unlawfully detained just days after his arrest—well before any legal proceedings were concluded.

The lack of action is not just disappointing—it’s unacceptable. The U.S. government should be pulling every diplomatic lever available, including threatening the cessation of foreign aid, to bring Tigran home. As noted this week, the international community, including UN member states, must also pressure Nigeria to release him.

What Tigran needs is not just words of support, but concrete action. It’s time for the Biden-Harris administration to step up and fight for one of its own.

Join the call to bring Tigran home. Sign the petition here and demand that the U.S. government stop allowing American citizens to be used as bargaining chips on the global stage.