Although medical doctors may be the first point of contact for children exploring their gender identity, many other professions can provide gender-affirming care, such as psychologists, social workers, teachers, counsellors and recreational coaches.
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Gender fluidity and detransition deserve nuanced understanding. Polarization that presents detransitioners as either ‘misinformation’ or victims of ‘gender ideology’ hurts all gender-diverse people.
People protest Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s proposed youth transgender policies as she appears at an event in Ottawa on Feb. 5, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle
On both sides of the transgender care debate, what is presented as ‘fact’ distorts real complexities of gender-affirming health care, leaving many in the dark about what is really at stake.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith answers questions at a news conference in Calgary on Feb. 1, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s anti-trans policies are likely meant to satisfy her base, but her government will now have to go head-to-head with the evidence in future legal battles.
Anti-trans legislation adjudicates the bodily autonomy of those who do not conform to gender norms.
Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo
Because of ethical considerations, there are no clinical trials comparing the effects of hormone therapy to conversion therapy on trans youths. But a set of recent studies tease out cause and effect.
Trans and gender-diverse people in Saskatchewan face challenges accessing primary care.
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Improving the health of people who are trans and gender diverse means improving access to family doctors who are supportive, competent and confident in providing access to gender-affirming care.
States and schools with more inclusive policies and protections help LGBTQ youth and their families feel safer.
AP Photo/Tommy Martino
The rainbow Pride flags flying this month obscure the ongoing legislative attacks threatening the health and well-being of transgender and nonbinary people and their families.
Trans rights are under attack in the U.S. Here, Jamiyah Morrison, 19, of Riverdale, Md., left, has rainbow makeup touched up by Niaomi Moshier, 21, while attending Transgender Day of Visibility rally in March in Washington, D.C.
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This year, there are more than 400 active anti-trans bills across the U.S. What do things look like in Canada? Are we a safe haven or are we following those same trends?
Some trans people find gender euphoria in being mothers and being with family.
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Trans motherhood showcases the unique joys of being transgender, be it through developing a deeper connection with one’s own child or caring for others in one’s community.
Enforcement of binary gender norms has led to unwanted medical interventions on intersex and cisgender children.
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The first transgender medical clinic opened in the US in the 1960s. But cisgender and intersex children began receiving similar treatments even earlier – often without their consent.
Exemptions from funding cuts are needed to ensure trans and non-binary people can get medical care.
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While gender-affirming health care is essential to the well-being of trans people, access to quality services varies significantly by geographic region and social context.
Transgender people of color face more than their share of discrimination and violence.
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Being both trans and a person of color comes with a unique set of challenges. Collectively working toward overcoming these barriers is one way this community fights for survival.
Gender-affirming care and social support can help trans youth thrive.
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Trans and non-binary people often avoid seeing a doctor because they fear discrimination. Health professionals need better training to provide gender-affirming care.
A commonly cited statistic that 60 to 90 percent of gender dysphoric children grow up not to be transgender is based on studies that are deeply flawed.
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‘Rapid-onset gender dysphoria’ suggests children are being persuaded into transgender identities before they know what that means. This theory is best explained by transphobia and research study biases.