David Reimer Canadian, victim of medical experiment on gender reassignment Date of Birth: 22.08.1965 Country: Canada

1. Biography of David Reimer
2. The Experiment and its Consequences
3. A New Beginning as David Reimer
4. Public Exposure and Tragic End
5. Legacy and Controversy

Biography of David Reimer

David Reimer, a Canadian victim of a medical gender reassignment experiment, was the subject of one of the most controversial and cruel experiments in the history of psychology. He was born in 1965 as Bruce Peter Reimer in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Reimer was one of a pair of twin sons born to Janet Grace Reimer and Ronald Peter Reimer. The twins were named Brian and Bruce. At six months old, the boys were diagnosed with phimosis, a condition where the foreskin cannot be fully retracted. Both infants underwent circumcision as advised by doctors, but unfortunately, Bruce suffered a botched procedure that resulted in the loss of his penis. Concerned for their son's future, Bruce's parents sought medical help at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where they met Dr. John Money, a renowned psychologist specializing in gender development and identity.

The Experiment and its Consequences

Dr. Money proposed a radical solution to Bruce's parents – to raise him as a girl. With the belief that gender identity was shaped by nurture rather than nature, Dr. Money convinced Bruce's parents to allow gender reassignment surgery. At 22 months old, Bruce underwent surgery to remove his testes and was renamed Brenda. Dr. Money provided psychological support to the family, and they believed that their children were growing up normally, unaware of the true nature of the experiment. However, Brenda exhibited masculine behavior and experienced constant stress due to the discrepancy between his assigned gender and his true identity. The revelation of the experiment and its psychological consequences took a toll on the entire family.

A New Beginning as David Reimer

After years of struggling with his identity, David Reimer learned the truth about his past at the age of 15. After careful consideration, he decided to transition back to living as a male. He changed his name to David and embarked on the challenging journey of starting his life anew as a man. David underwent hormone therapy, mastectomies, and phalloplasty to complete his transition. In September 1990, he married Jane Fontaine and adopted her three children.

Public Exposure and Tragic End

David's story gained widespread attention in 1997 when he shared his experience with sexologist Milton Diamond. A book by journalist John Colapinto titled "As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl" was published, shedding light on the experiment and its consequences. David became a symbol for the dangers of such medical interventions. Despite his tragic past, David managed to rebuild his life, but he continued to struggle with family issues, unemployment, and the loss of his twin brother, Brian, who died in 2002. On May 5, 2004, David Reimer tragically ended his life at the age of 38.

Legacy and Controversy

David Reimer's story continues to be a subject of debate and criticism towards Dr. John Money for his unethical experiments. The Reimer family faced immense tragedy and blamed Dr. Money for their suffering. David's life serves as a reminder of the importance of informed consent and ethical practices in medical interventions. Despite his hardships, David's courage in sharing his story has contributed to raising awareness about the complexities of gender identity.