The Tragic Case of David Reimer and the Gender Identity Experiment That Failed
- Daniel Holland
- May 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 19
Note: This article discusses historical medical events involving gender identity and trauma. It is intended for educational purposes and addresses ethical and psychological dimensions with care.
This article revisits the story of “Brenda” Reimer, later known as David, through a factual, non-sensational lens. It explores the implications of the case on psychology, medical ethics, and our understanding of human identity.
If any of the topics raised in this article are distressing, readers may find support through resources such as Mind UK, Samaritans, or Childline.
In the 1960s, a pair of identical twins were born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Their names were Bruce and Brian Reimer, ordinary, healthy baby boys, and their early months gave absolutely no hint of what was to come. In April 1966, after a routine circumcision went disastrously wrong, Bruce would become a case study in one of the most controversial psychological experiments of the 20th century.
His story (as “Brenda” Reimer) was used as an attempt to prove that gender identity was entirely learned, not innate. But what followed was not a success story, as some claimed, but a chain of tragic events that would eventually expose deep flaws in both medical ethics and our understanding of gender.
The Reimer Twins and a Medical Mishap
Bruce and Brian Reimer were born on 22 August 1965. At seven months old, both were diagnosed with phimosis, a condition then believed to necessitate circumcision. A decision was made to carry out the procedure using an electrocautery device.
Bruce's operation went horribly wrong. Instead of a minor incision, the device severely burned his penis, effectively destroying it. The family was devastated, unsure how to move forward. They sought guidance from medical experts, eventually being referred to a psychologist named Dr John Money at Johns Hopkins University.
Dr John Money and the Theory of Gender Neutrality
Dr Money was an emerging authority in sexology and gender studies, building his reputation on the idea that gender identity was shaped by upbringing and social environment. According to his theory, a child raised entirely as a girl could adopt a female identity, regardless of biological sex.
When the Reimers contacted him, Money saw an opportunity to prove his theory. He advised the parents to raise Bruce as a girl. At 22 months old, Bruce underwent sex reassignment surgery, and his name was changed to Brenda. Hormone therapy was scheduled for later, and the Reimers were instructed to treat Brenda as female in every respect.
Childhood Under Surveillance
From the outside, Brenda appeared to adapt. She wore dresses, played with dolls, and was referred to using female pronouns. Dr Money regularly interviewed the family and published reports citing Brenda’s development as validation of his theory. These reports helped establish medical protocols around gender reassignment and informed treatment for intersex and transgender children for years to come.
However, privately, the story was more troubling. Brenda resisted wearing girls’ clothes, preferred playing with her brother’s toys, and struggled socially. Teachers noticed behavioural issues, and Brenda herself expressed extreme confusion and unhappiness.
Money’s therapy sessions with the twins reportedly became increasingly invasive. He asked them to engage in sexual role-playing to reinforce gender norms, something that would now (and should've then) be considered ethically indefensible. Yet his academic papers continued to present the experiment as a success.
The Turning Point: Reclaiming Identity
By age 13, Brenda was deeply unhappy. She had become a target of bullying, refused to take oestrogen, and increasingly clashed with her parents. Eventually, the Reimers told her the truth: she had been born male.
This revelation was life-changing. Brenda immediately rejected her female identity and began the process of transitioning back to male, adopting the name David. He underwent reconstructive surgery and began hormone therapy to reverse some of the physical changes imposed on him.
David's story was eventually made public in 1997 through journalist John Colapinto, who published an article in Rolling Stone and later a book titled As Nature Made Him. The book detailed David's experience and brought renewed scrutiny to Dr Money's work.
The Legacy of the John/Joan Case
The "John/Joan" case, as it was known in the academic literature, was long held up as a definitive proof of the social origins of gender identity. But once the full story emerged, it became clear that the experiment had caused lasting psychological harm.
David wasn't the only casualty. His twin brother Brian suffered from schizophrenia and depression and died of a drug overdose in 2002. Two years later, in May 2004, David died by suicide at the age of 38.
Their tragic outcomes have since prompted extensive reflection in medical ethics, particularly around consent, the treatment of intersex infants, and the risks of experimental interventions. Many researchers now see the John/Joan case not as proof of gender fluidity, but as a case study on what happens when you go about imposing theories onto unwilling participants.
Shifting Medical Practice
Following the public exposure of the case, medical practice began to shift. The once-dominant belief in gender plasticity came under scrutiny. Clinicians became more cautious about early surgical intervention on intersex children and began advocating for a more nuanced understanding of gender identity, one that takes into account biology, psychology, and social context.
Academic criticism of Dr Money's methods mounted. His failure to revise or retract his earlier publications, even after learning of Brenda/David's distress, was seen as a serious ethical lapse. He continued his work until his death in 2006, though his reputation never fully recovered.
A Human Tragedy and Its Lessons
At its core, this story is about a child denied the right to grow up with honesty, autonomy, and dignity. David Reimer did not set out to become the centre of a medical debate; he was simply a boy who endured profound trauma. His courage in later life, speaking out, marrying, and trying to reclaim his identity, stands in sharp contrast to the theory that had claimed him as a successful case study.
The Reimer case remains a pivotal moment in the history of sexology and ethics. It reminds us of the need for humility in science, compassion in medicine, and the fundamental right of individuals to define their own identities.
Content Note: This article is intended for educational purposes only. It discusses historical clinical practices and their ethical implications. No medical or personal advice is provided.
Sources
Colapinto, John. As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl. Harper Perennial, 2001.
Diamond, Milton & Sigmundson, H. Keith. "Sex Reassignment at Birth: Long-Term Review and Clinical Implications." Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 1997.
Money, John. Man & Woman, Boy & Girl. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1972.
Rolling Stone: "The True Story of John/Joan", 1997.
Wikipedia contributors. "David Reimer." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Embryo Project Encyclopedia. "David Reimer and John Money Gender Reassignment Controversy." Center for Biology and Society, Arizona State University.
Written by Holland.
Editor, UtterlyInteresting.com — exploring the strange, sublime, and forgotten corners of history.
