Global controversy: Lancet magazine called trans women and men “bodies with vaginas” and should have apologized

The prestigious scientific journal The Lancet should have asked public apologies after the controversial September 1 publication of a cover story referenced in the title women and trans people What “Body with vaginas”. The article, written by the journalist Sophie davis, has been harshly questioned by various health professionals and also by readers.

It is the consequence of uproar of the world, the editor of the publication, Richard horton, apologized publicly and assured that “the media is striving to reach maximum inclusion women and transgender people”.

Criticism fell mainly on the editors of the note, originally titled as “Display periods”. For many readers and healthcare professionals the rating is “sexist” and “Dehumanize women”. However, the editors argued that the intention was the opposite: “Be inclusive with trans people.”

“The Lancet strives to maximize inclusion of all in their vision of health promotion. In that case, we gave the impression that we have dehumanized and banned Women’s. Those who read The Lancet they will regularly understand that this would never have been our intention. I apologize to our readers who felt insulted for the quote on the cover and the use of those same words in the review, ”he said. Horton in a note published on the magazine’s official website.

In this sense, he clarified: “I would like to emphasize that the health of transgender people it is an important dimension of modern health care, but one which remains neglected. Trans people regularly face stigma, the discrimination, the exclusion and the bad health, and they often find it difficult to access adequate medical care ”. Then he thanked “everyone who responded to the lyrics on the cover of The Lancet and they understand the strength of the feeling it has provoked ”.

The phrase from the article and magazine cover that has really bothered readers and health experts is: “Historically, the anatomy and physiology of the body. body with vaginas “, which turned out “Insulting” e “insulting” for many academics.

“The quote on the cover was a compelling call to empower women, with the non-binary, trans and intersex people who have known the menstruation, and address the myths and taboos surrounding menstruation. The magazine, like the exhibition, places these myths and taboos in a historical context. The review calls for redoubled efforts to overcome the lack of knowledge and the stigma too often associated with the period. These are serious issues that require serious action. We encourage people to read the full review and support a growing movement against menstrual embarrassment and the menstrual poverty», Explained the editor.

For Madeleine Ni Dhalaigh, British doctor, the title was “shameful”. On his Twitter account, he expressed: “You can be inclusive without being insulting or offensive. How dare you dehumanize us with a statement like this? For its part, David Curtis, honorary professor of genetics at the University college from London, he said angrily: “I just wrote to The Lancet to tell them to remove me from their list of statistical reviewers and cancel my subscription and never contact me for anything again. A absolutely inexcusable language make reference to women and girls ”.