Gender dysphoria

Detransition and gender fluidity: Deeper understanding can improve care and acceptance

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

If you have been following recent coverage about gender-affirming health care, detransition will not be an unfamiliar topic.

Key Points: 
  • If you have been following recent coverage about gender-affirming health care, detransition will not be an unfamiliar topic.
  • From mainstream journalists to transgender authors, many have taken an interest in people who underwent a medical gender transition and chose to return to their former identity.

Detransition is not new, but we are seeing new gender-diverse experiences

  • Providers of gender-affirming medicine have long been aware of adults who medically transitioned and later returned to live in their former “gender role” or showed signs of regret.
  • Dr. Harry Benjamin, the endocrinologist who was among the first to offer gender-affirming medical interventions in the United States, wrote about one such case in his 1966 book, The Transsexual Phenomenon.
  • Using strict measurement criteria, they estimated that detransition was rare: around one to two per cent.

Understanding detransition can help us to enrich gender care


We have long known that sexuality can be fluid for some LGBTQ+ people. New research shows that it is not uncommon for trans and gender-diverse young people to report shifts in gender identity over time — dynamically moving between binary trans girls or trans boys, to non-binary, or to cisgender. In some cases, these identity-shift patterns can influence changes in desires for gender-affirming interventions.

  • However, when a person’s gender identity or their desire for how they want to express their gender changes after already completing medical or surgical interventions, this may contribute to feelings of decisional regret.
  • But because detransition and regret are being instrumentalized in debates about trans people and gender-affirming health care, organizations and care providers serving sexual minorities and gender-diverse communities may feel that offering outward support for detransitioners is politically risky.
  • But if organizations and care systems fail to offer formal recognition and support, where can detransitioners turn to for help?

Detransitioners’ voices

  • As social scientists who study gender-affirming health care, we understand what motivates these pursuits: a desire to be understood, and to seek validation and justice.
  • Detransitioners’ voices, though, may be strategically positioned toward gender-affirming care restrictions, rather than to improve research or to develop comprehensive detransition-related care services.

Identity evolution and detransition are LGBTQ+ experiences

  • Some might only detransition temporarily due to lack of support, external pressures and transphobia, and re-affirm a trans identity in the future.
  • Regardless, detransition can bring about loss of community supports, stigma, shame and health care avoidance.
  • Gender fluidity and detransition deserve further understanding and formal care services, not controversy.
  • Kinnon R. MacKinnon receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
  • Annie Pullen Sansfaçon receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Canada Research Chair Program.

CMA strongly opposes government efforts to restrict access to care

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 20, 2024

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 20, 2024 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is deeply concerned about any government proposal that restricts access to evidence-based medical care, including the Alberta government's proposed restrictions on gender-affirming treatments for pediatric transgender patients.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 20, 2024 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is deeply concerned about any government proposal that restricts access to evidence-based medical care, including the Alberta government's proposed restrictions on gender-affirming treatments for pediatric transgender patients.
  • An approach that restricts the most appropriate care options for some patients has the potential to cause permanent harm.
  • Ensuring children have universal access to a full range of medical care is essential for their well-being.
  • We strongly urge governments to consult with health-care professionals — experts in their field — when considering policy changes related to health care.

Family Research Council Urges Ohio Legislature to Override Ohio Governor's Veto of the SAFE Act

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 29, 2023

It also protects parents from losing custody over this issue-- a known problem in Ohio since at least 2018.

Key Points: 
  • It also protects parents from losing custody over this issue-- a known problem in Ohio since at least 2018.
  • Family Research Council President Tony Perkins released the following statement in response:
    "Governor Mike DeWine's veto of the SAFE Act will have devastating consequences for Ohio's children, unless the legislature moves to override.
  • However, Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted should be applauded for his decision to stand in support of Ohio's SAFE Act.
  • "Family Research Council urges Ohio legislators to override Governor DeWine's veto and pass the SAFE Act into law to protect vulnerable children from experimental procedures that cause physiological trauma for those dealing with gender dysphoria.

Alsana Experts: Body Acceptance Essential for Eating Disorder Prevention and Recovery

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Alsana’s eating recovery community is eager to join advocates, care providers, educators, and others in celebrating NEDA’s first Body Acceptance Week (October 23-27, 2023).

Key Points: 
  • Alsana’s eating recovery community is eager to join advocates, care providers, educators, and others in celebrating NEDA’s first Body Acceptance Week (October 23-27, 2023).
  • This new initiative promotes body acceptance for all and supports individuals experiencing body dissatisfaction - a leading risk factor for developing eating disorders.
  • Body acceptance is defined as accepting one's body regardless of not being completely satisfied with all aspects of it.
  • “For many individuals struggling with body dissatisfaction, some forms of body acceptance may seem out of reach,” explains Harris.

ICO warns of email data breach risk as it issues two reprimands

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 2, 2023

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has reprimanded two Northern Irish organisations for disclosing people’s information inappropriately via email.

Key Points: 
  • The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has reprimanded two Northern Irish organisations for disclosing people’s information inappropriately via email.
  • Both the Patient and Client Council (PCC) and the Executive Office disclosed recipient details by using inappropriate group email options.
  • Although the body of the email did not contain personal information, the people who received the email could reasonably infer that the other recipients also had experience of gender dysphoria, given their inclusion in the email.
  • - To report a concern to the ICO telephone call our helpline on 0303 123 1113, or go to ico.org.uk/concerns.

Trans youth are significantly more likely to attempt suicide when gender dysphoria is met with conversion therapy than with hormone treatment

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 31, 2023

To establish whether something causes an outcome, researchers typically rely on randomized control trials – experiments that randomly assign people to a treatment or a placebo.

Key Points: 
  • To establish whether something causes an outcome, researchers typically rely on randomized control trials – experiments that randomly assign people to a treatment or a placebo.
  • Studies using this approach have linked hormone therapy with positive mental health outcomes for trans teens.
  • However, because this treatment requires parental approval, teens who receive hormone therapy may have more supportive families than those who do not.
  • We found that supportive family environments and hormone replacement therapy that affirms a transgender child’s gender identity decrease their risk of suicide or running away from home, whereas unsupportive family environments and conversion therapy that denies their gender identity increase these risks.

Treating gender dysphoria

    • Many transgender people experience gender dysphoria, which is psychological distress arising from a mismatch between how a person expresses their gender identity and the social norms of their sex assigned at birth.
    • To treat gender dysphoria, health professionals typically use gender-affirming interventions such as hormone therapy to align gender expression with identity.
    • Gender affirmation includes processes that help a person feel socially and physically aligned with their gender identity.
    • Research has shown that these forms of gender affirmation may alleviate gender dysphoria.

Effects of gender affirmation or denial

    • So what are the effects of affirming or denying a child’s gender identity?
    • Our research on the effects of conversion therapy on the mental health of transgender youths had dismal findings.
    • We also analyzed the effects of social transitions on risk of attempting suicide or running away from home.
    • These social transitions include realizing their gender differed from their sex assigned at birth, self-identification as trans, starting to tell others they are trans, and living full time as their gender identity.

Public policy and transgender well-being

    • This was prompted by the more than 560 anti-transgender bills that have been introduced in the U.S. through July 2023, 80 of which have passed.
    • More anti-trans bills have been on the docket in 2023 than any prior year in U.S. history.
    • Our research suggests that policies restricting access to gender-affirming care and limiting protections against conversion therapy will have significant negative effects on the lives of transgender youths.
    • The Trans Lifeline (1-877-565-8860) and The Trevor Project (phone 1-866-488-7386, text 678-678, or chat thetrevorproject.org also offer crisis support.

New Original Documentary "NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care" to Receive a World Premiere Event at AMC Theatres Throughout the US - June 21, 4:30 and 7:30 PM

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 13, 2023

LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- How are today's youth being impacted by transitioning genders into their teens and young adult years? The new original documentary "NO WAY BACK," produced by lifelong California Democrats and LGBT activists, takes a non-religious, non-political, and non-ideological look on the subject of gender-affirmative medical practices, the risks and side effects of cross-sex hormones, surgeries, and the long-term health implications of gender medicalization. This "nuanced, compassionate, deeply researched and mild-mannered" documentary features five young people discussing the medical care they received for gender dysphoria, and how they subsequently realized they were given the wrong treatment. Twelve experts in pediatrics, mental health, sociology and endocrinology with decades of clinical practice (including an Oxford professor) examine the pros and cons of the current practices. The goal of "NO WAY BACK," which cites 45 academic medical studies and journalist articles, is to make a substantial contribution to the debate around medical transitioning for adolescents and young adults.

Key Points: 
  • This "nuanced, compassionate, deeply researched and mild-mannered" documentary features five young people discussing the medical care they received for gender dysphoria, and how they subsequently realized they were given the wrong treatment.
  • Twelve experts in pediatrics, mental health, sociology and endocrinology with decades of clinical practice (including an Oxford professor) examine the pros and cons of the current practices.
  • These patients have multiple mental co-morbidities (Autism, ADHD, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, adverse childhood experiences, sexual trauma).
  • Instead of giving a differential diagnosis, or a holistic treatment plan, the doctors quickly prescribe wrong-sex hormones on the 1st appointment.

Five things to know about Drag Queen Story Time

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 2, 2023

Protests at Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and New Brunswick libraries and public centres have targeted Drag Queen Story Time events.

Key Points: 
  • Protests at Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and New Brunswick libraries and public centres have targeted Drag Queen Story Time events.
  • These are educational events where drag performers read books to children.
  • The aim is to present the diversity of gender expression and identity, build acceptance and develop creativity in personal expression.

What is drag?

    • Drag is an art form that has been around for centuries, including during the First World War.
    • Drag has evolved within gay culture, can be performed by all genders and is generally an exaggeration of gender expression.

What happens at a Drag Queen Story Time?

    • Drag Queen Story Time began in San Francisco in 2015.
    • The events generally occur in public spaces like libraries, schools or community centres, with a drag queen host.
    • The overall aim of the event is to provide a positive message to children about the diversity of gender expression.

How do children develop their gender identities?

    • Children eventually develop a relative clarity of their gender and feel a sense of harmony between the complex factors that contribute to gender identity development.
    • Introducing children to diverse gender expressions does not encourage gender dysphoria or confusion.
    • On the contrary, diverse experiences throughout life have been shown to foster self and collective understandings of gender and gender differences.

The importance of positive role models

    • Having access to positive role models and having positive experiences with people who have diverse gender identities can foster a better sense of belonging and promote self-acceptance.
    • People who are successful and positive role models are characterized as being competent and easily relatable.

How can parents engage with Drag Queen Story Time?

    • Engaging with drag performers is an opportunity for parents to show their children that diversity is beautiful and worthy of celebration.
    • Parents can foster engagement through communication and understanding of their own emotions and their child’s emotions.

Open Letter from FAIR in Medicine Draws 1800+ Signatories to Support Academic Freedom

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 17, 2023

NEW YORK, May 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a robust demonstration of support for academic freedom and open debate, FAIR in Medicine and a group of over 1,800 signatories have signed an open letter advocating for the uninterrupted publication of "Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria: Parent Reports on 1655 Possible Cases" by Diaz and Bailey in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, May 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a robust demonstration of support for academic freedom and open debate, FAIR in Medicine and a group of over 1,800 signatories have signed an open letter advocating for the uninterrupted publication of "Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria: Parent Reports on 1655 Possible Cases" by Diaz and Bailey in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior.
  • FAIR in Medicine is the professional healthcare network within The Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism—supporting open and robust debate to advance high quality, ethical medicine for all.
  • Please join FAIR in Medicine's May 18 webinar with Dr. Bailey, author of the new ROGD paper that's the subject of FAIR's Open Letter.
  • Join FAIR in Medicine's May 19 webinar with FAIR's expert legal panel about gender legislation passed this session: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fairs-legislative-review-of-sex-change-trea... .

Skyhorse Publishing Acquires New Oli London Memoir on De-Transitioning

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 22, 2023

NEW YORK, Feb. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Skyhorse Publishing announced today that it has acquired world rights to Detransition: A Memoir by British K-Pop singer, Oli London.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Feb. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Skyhorse Publishing announced today that it has acquired world rights to Detransition: A Memoir by British K-Pop singer, Oli London.
  • The deal was negotiated by Tony Lyons for Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. and Mark Gottlieb at Trident Media Group Literary Agency.
  • "I am looking forward to sharing an intimate look into my gender and self-identity struggles," stated London about his memoir Detransition.
  • "We recognize that this is a sensitive topic for many people," stated Tony Lyons, president and founder of Skyhorse Publishing.