Mass-down-votes, bans and “grifter” labels
Detransitioners say the moment they post their stories they are hit with organised down-votes, removal of posts, or outright bans.
"we can’t even have one space to discuss these views & experiences & regrets, feels cultish doesn’t it? banning, censoring, silencing anyone who just feels differently." – 2cal4u source [citation:752c506d-c661-45c3-9391-86058fb13126]
Even when physical proof of transition is obvious, many are still called "liars" or "grifters."
"TRAs still often accuse me of lying... they don’t believe that people like us exist." – burnyourbinder source [citation:2e2cd16d-d81b-45bf-81e0-93a16540027d]

“Transphobic” used as a conversation-stopper
Simply stating that medical transition hurt them is read as an attack on all trans people.
"Detrans get silenced by being called phobic, simply for existing as detrans. So is it that we’re actually phobic, or just being labeled as such by the trans community so we’ll shut up?" – Gloomy-Eyed source [citation:665346f3-d801-45ae-827a-51a207d9683b]
Because almost every public forum repeats the rule “detrans voices are valid only if they never criticise the trans community”, many conclude that open, honest talk is impossible.

Fear of being cast as “right-wing” keeps people quiet
Detransitioners who identify as left-leaning find themselves pushed into the same box as hard-line conservatives.
"My views would get me immediately pushed into ‘right-wing conservative transphobic terf bigot’... the propaganda is strong with thought-terminating cliches." – 2cal4u source [citation:06070723-fac4-4d24-bb4b-98b4c63a43cc]
Not wanting to be used by either side, many simply stay silent, which makes the next person feel even more alone.

Hostile pile-ons create real trauma
People who do speak describe vicious replies, public ridicule and renewed dysphoria.
"I was met with extensive hostility... they even made me insecure again about my voice." – DetransIS source [citation:1b0e7ed0-df51-4521-93ab-fe13899c51f3]
For some, the fear is so severe that opening a comment section feels unsafe.
"With my actual PTSD about this subject, I literally could not handle that at all for a while." – Quiet-County-9236 source [citation:6eceb9c9-65c2-4ad0-b889-9e1ce42d3b34]

A cycle of invisibility
Because each new speaker risks being shouted down, most stay quiet; the absence of visible stories lets activists claim detransition is "vanishingly rare" and justify still more censorship. Detransitioners break that cycle simply by talking—quietly, kindly, and without apology—for the next person who needs to hear they are not alone.