The reaction to Flavin's comments was immediate and polarizing. Critics swiftly pointed out that her theory is unsupported by scientific evidence and fundamentally misrepresents the nature of being transgender. Major medical and psychological organizations state that gender identity is an intrinsic, deeply held sense of self, not a reaction to excessive wealth or lack of parental structure. The suggestion that transgender identity is a temporary, "confusing" phase brought on by the celebrity lifestyle was widely condemned as simplistic and harmful, particularly to young transgender people and their families who are already dealing with significant societal challenges and prejudice.
