A Literature Review of the Secondary School Experiences of Trans Youth

A Literature Review of the Secondary School Experiences of Trans Youth

 Published by: Journal of LGBT Youth.  2020. Author: Ruari-Santiago McBride.

Find more articles on affirmative care for trans youth at our site: www.gdaworkinggroup.com

Like/Follow us on Facebook for updates: @gdaffirmative

“In this article I review 83 empirical studies that provide insight into the secondary school experiences of trans youth.  The studies show that while some trans youth have affirming experiences, the majority are exposed to institutionalized cisnormativity that makes them vulnerable to macroaggressions, microaggressions and violence within school settings. Trans youth’s exposure to institutionalized cisnormativity was found to intersect with multiple vectors of social power, which subject some trans youth to multiple forms of disadvantage while affording others degrees of privilege.  In conclusion, the findings show that trans youth’s educational experiences reflect broader structural inequalities yet defy essentializing explanations.”

https://www.academia.edu/42009727/A_literature_review_of_the_secondary_school_experiences_of_trans_youth?email_work_card=view-paper

Supporting Gender and Sexual Diversity in High Schools

Supporting Gender and Sexual Diversity in High Schools

Published by: Murdoch University, Young and Well Collective.  June 2016. Author: Jance Pearce, Wendy Cumming-Potvin, Veronica Gardiner.

A comprehensive document outlining  strategies and interventions to build increased awareness and to meet the needs of LGBTQIA+ children and adolescents, which leads directly to improved outcomes.  

“Accounts of teachers’ struggles to create safe classrooms and inclusive practices provide valuable insights for other educators, for whom this resource has been written.  The resource builds on the productive work of many community and government organisations, such as the Safe Schools Coalition, Freedom Centre, Curtin University’s Centre for Human Rights Education and the Equal Opportunity Commission, to raise awareness of and support sexual and gender diversity in schools.  It is hoped this resource will be of interest to every educator who wants to engage in conversations to counter discrimination  and bullying specific to gender and sexuality and protect the human rights of all young people, including those who self-identify as LGBTQI.”

https://www.academia.edu/33920096/supporting_gender_and_sexual_diversity_in_high_schools.pdf?email_work_card=thumbnail

The Delaware Journal of Public Health: LGBT Health Equity

This issue of the Delaware Journal of Public Health is devoted to LGBT Health Equity and features several articles relevant to trans and gender nonbinary youth and adults. Several are listed below, and others in the journal are interesting as well.

Most notable are:

Keeping Youth Alive: Considerations for Suicide Prevention of Gender Diverse Youth. Author: Elise Mora, LCSW.

“Objective. This article examines suicidality of gender expansive youth and identifies evidence=based practical interventions for healthcare professionals and other adults who interact with gender expansive youth…

“Results. Gender expansive youth are at significantly heightened risk of suicide compared to their cisgender peers. Nonbinary youth are the most vulnerable of all subgroups.

“Conclusion: Explicit recommendations for enhancing resilience for this population complete the article. More research is critical for this demographic, as current literature is severely limited.”

A Mother’s Story. Author: Sally McBride.

“Sally and David McBride’s youngest child came out as transgender on Christmas Day 2011 as a junior at American University. The news rocked their world. Here is their story as told by Sally.”

Building Resilience, Reducing Risk: Four Pillars to Creating Safer, More Supportive Schools for LGBT Youth. Author: Rev Karla Fleshman, LCSW, M.Div.

“Abstract. In 2017 Delaware, LGBTQ+ Youth reported that almost 1 out of 3 were bullied on school grounds. Additionally, over 50% reported feeling sad/hopeless, and almost as many seriously considered suicide as an option, while 32% planned for suicide with almost 1 in 4 reported having acted on their suicide plan at least once. Of all the students who reported a suicide attempt, 10% required medical treatment as a result of their attempt. The Delaware Department of Education does not have comprehensive statewide protections in place to support some of our most vulnerable youth, yet school districts can make a positive difference in implementing policy/practices to build resilience and reduce risk.

“This article will focus on four key areas where schools and school districts may implement changes toward creating safer, more supportive schools: (1) policy/procedures that protect LGBTQ+ students at the administrative level; (2) comprehensive cultural sensitivity training for serving LGBTQ+ students and their families; (3) incorporating inclusive curriculum on LGBTQ+ history into the classroom; (4) and creating, supporting, and sustaining gender and sexuality alliances in both the middle and high schools.”

https://www.academia.edu/39955943/LGBTQ_Health_Equity

Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of Suicidal Ideation

Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of Suicidal Ideation

Published in Pediatrics. February, 2020.: Authors: Jack L. Turban, Dana King, Jeremi M. Carswelland Alex S. Keuroghlian.

The full article is behind a paywall and not everyone will have access, but the overview itself will be helpful for many.

Find more research on affirmative care for trans and non binary youth at our website: www.gdaworkinggroup.com

Like/Follow us on Facebook for more updates: @gdaffirmative

“BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues are commonly prescribed to suppress endogenous puberty for transgender adolescents. There are limited data regarding the mental health benefits of this treatment. Our objective for this study was to examine associations between access to pubertal suppression during adolescence and adult mental health outcomes.”

“METHODS:Using a cross-sectional survey of 20 619 transgender adults aged 18 to 36 years, we examined self-reported history of pubertal suppression during adolescence. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined associations between access to pubertal suppression and adult mental health outcomes, including multiple measures of suicidality.”

“RESULTS:Of the sample, 16.9% reported that they ever wanted pubertal suppression as part of their gender-related care. Their mean age was 23.4 years, and 45.2% were assigned male sex at birth. Of them, 2.5% received pubertal suppression. After adjustment for demographic variables and level of family support for gender identity, those who received treatment with pubertal suppression, when compared with those who wanted pubertal suppression but did not receive it, had lower odds of lifetime suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio = 0.3; 95% confidence interval = 0.2–0.6).”

“CONCLUSIONS:This is the first study in which associations between access to pubertal suppression and suicidality are examined. There is a significant inverse association between treatment with pubertal suppression during adolescence and lifetime suicidal ideation among transgender adults who ever wanted this treatment. These results align with past literature, suggesting that pubertal suppression for transgender adolescents who want this treatment is associated with favorable mental health outcomes.”

https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/145/2/e20191725?

WPATH and USPATH Joint Statement in Response to Proposed Legislation Denying Evidence-Based Care for Transgender People Under 18 Years of Age

WPATH and USPATH Joint Statement in Response to Proposed Legislation Denying Evidence-Based Care for Transgender People Under 18 Years of Age

Published: January 28, 2020.

Yesterday, WPATH and USPATH released a joint statement about a recent and troubling trend across various states in the US. The Gender Dysphoria Affirmative Working Group fully endorses what is written here.

A web link to the statement can be found here: https://listloop.com/wpath/mail.cgi/archive/adhoc/20200128125839/

Statement in Response to Proposed Legislation Denying Evidence-Based Care for Transgender People Under 18 Years of Age and to Penalize Professionals who Provide that Medical Care

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and its US chapter, the United States Professional Association for Transgender Health (USPATH), vehemently oppose the legislation being proposed in Florida (HB 1365), South Carolina (HB 4716), South Dakota (HB 1057), Colorado (HB 20-1114), and similar legislation in other states.  These bills seek to deny evidence-based care for transgender people under 18 years of age and to penalize professionals who provide that medical care.  These bills will punish practitioners of gender affirming care with revocation of their medical license, or up to 15 years in prison in some states.  These bills will treat health care providers as if they committed manslaughter or arson.  

Many of the procedures mentioned by these bills are not even offered to transgender youth, revealing these bills to be alarmist expressions of ill-informed opinion. Guidance for the provision of medical care for transgender youth is outlined within the 7th edition of Standards of Care (SOC) for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender-Nonconforming People created by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (Coleman et al. 2012). The guidelines differentiate between children and adolescents with regard to the provision of care. 

Under the SOC, children do not receive any of the medical care identified within these bills, but mental health and social supports are provided to them along with their families.  Surgeries on genitals and reproductive systems are considered for people who are typically over 18 years of age (depending on the age of consent and other relevant factors in the pertinent jurisdiction) and have been living in their affirmed gender for at least 12 months. Medical treatments that might be recommend for certain adolescents include puberty-blocking medication and – in carefully selected cases – hormone replacement therapies and surgery, most often non-genital. These treatments are not offered without conscientious medical attention and informed clinical evaluation.

Puberty suppression has been found to be very beneficial for transgender adolescents, and it is reversible (Mahfouda et al. 2017; Olson-Kennedy et al. 2018; Hodax et al. 2019; Salas-Humara et al. 2019).  Further, a recently published study has concluded that transgender adults who had access to pubertal blockers had a lower risk of suicidal ideation compared to those transgender adults who did not have access to pubertal blockers (Turban et al. 2020).

We are disturbed by these attempts to legislate medical treatment without expert guidance from the relevant national medical organizations or even testimony from experienced, qualified local or regional providers and patients for whom these treatments have been beneficial, if not lifesaving. Given the climate in which these bills are presented, however, we can imagine that few young patients or their parents would be willing to present themselves for the scrutiny of potentially hostile legislators and the activists who are promoting these damaging bills. 

All medical treatment is a crucial and very personal service that virtually everyone depends upon at some point in their lives, and it should not be delivered or restricted according to the whims of distant lawmakers who know little or nothing about the circumstances of an individual’s life. Proper medical care for any condition is a matter best negotiated between patients and their trained and qualified medical providers who are relying on clinical evidence and experience. 

These bills attempt to criminalize treatments or at best restrict medical professionals from helping their patients and their families. Since transgender children, adolescents, or adults cannot be legislated out of existence, these bills seem to be a misguided attempt to prevent transgender people from coming forward for services they need in order to live healthy lives. 

We urge you to reject these harmful bills and assure your transgender constituents and their families that their health and well-being is just as important as your own.

Click here for an additional WPATH Statement in Response to Calls for Banning Evidence-Based Supportive Health Interventions for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth.

References

Coleman E, Bockting W, Botzer M, et al (2012) Standards of care for the health of transsexual,

transgender, and gender-nonconforming people, version 7. Int J Transgenderism 13:165–232

Hodax JK, Wagner J, Sackett-Taylor AC, et al (2019) Medical options for care of gender diverse and

Transgender youth. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol S1083-3188(19)30206–2.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2019.05.010

Mahfouda S, Moore JK, Siafarikas A, et al (2017) Puberty suppression in transgender children and

adolescents. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 5:816–826. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(17)30099-2

Olson-Kennedy J, Okonta V, Clark LF, Belzer M (2018) Physiologic Response to Gender-Affirming

Hormones Among Transgender Youth. J Adolesc Health 62:397–401.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.08.005

Salas-Humara C, Sequeira GM, Rossi W, Dhar CP (2019) Gender affirming medical care of transgender

youth. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 49:100683.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2019.100683

Turban JL, King D, Carswell JM, Keuroghlian AS. Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of

Suicidal Ideation. Pediatrics. 2020 Jan 23. pii: e20191725

Yadegarfard M, Meinhold-Bergmann ME, Ho R (2014) Family rejection, social isolation, and loneliness as

predictors of negative health outcomes (depression, suicidal ideation, and sexual risk behavior) among

Thai male-to-female transgender adolescents. J LGBT Youth 11:347–363

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FULL POLICY STATEMENT

WPATH Board of Directors

USPATH Board of Directors

STAFF

President

Vin Tangpricha, MD, PhD

President

Erica Anderson, PhD

Executive Director

Sue O’Sullivan; sue@wpath.org

President-Elect

Walter Pierre Bouman, MD, PhD

President-Elect

Madeline Deutsch, MD, MPH

Executive Director of Global Education & Development

Donna Kelly; donna@wpath.org

Secretary

Randi Ettner, PhD

Secretary/Treasurer

Emilia Lombardi, PhD

Deputy Executive Director

Blaine Vella; blaine@wpath.org

Treasurer

Baudewijntje Kreukels, PhD

Immediate Past-President

Gail Knudson, MD, MEd, FRCPC

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tamara Adrian, JD Marci Bowers, MD

Tone Maria Hansen, MSN Ren Massey, PhD

Asa Radix, MD, PhD, MPH

Loren Schechter, MD Jaimie Veale, PhD

Immediate Past-President Joshua Safer, MD, FACP BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dana (Thomas) Bevan, PhD John Capozuca, PhD

Lisa Griffin, PhD

Johanna Olson-Kennedy, MD, MS

Asa Radix, MD, PhD, MPH

Student Representative

Nova Bradford, BA

Communications Director

Jamison Green; jamison@veritasmeetingsolutions.com

EPATH Representative

Walter Pierre Bouman, MD, PhD

USPATH Representative

Erica Anderson, PhD

GEI Representative (Ex-Officio)

Lin Fraser, EdD

Student Representative (Ex-Officio)

Penelope Strauss, BA, MPH

Trans and Non-Binary Children and Youth: A Roadmap for improving Services in Ontario

TRANS AND NON-BINARY CHILDREN AND YOUTH: A ROADMAP FOR IMPROVING SERVICES IN ONTARIO

Posting this as a very comprehensive report on the needs of trans and gender nonbinary youth, and information on how services might be developed to address those issues. It would be a useful read for educators, social service directors, family members, legislators, or others involved in work to affirm these vulnerable youth.  This is relevant not just in Ontario but in so many other contexts as well.

Published by: Rainbow Health Ontario.  2019.  Authors: Loralee Gillis, Dominic Popowich, Dr. Ilene Hyman, J. Skelton, Susan Barrass.  

“Executive Summary:

“Awareness of trans and non-binary children and youth is increasing, both socially and among service agencies. However, despite legislative and regulatory progress in trans rights, the specific needs of trans and non-binary children and youth remain largely unaddressed. Many agencies looking to strengthen their supports for this vulnerable group and their caregivers don’t yet know how, leaving trans and non-binary children and youth to encounter avoidable problems.

“Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO), a program of Sherbourne Health, led a needs assessment to learn about ongoing concerns and challenges faced by trans and non-binary children and youth; their parents and caregivers; and their service providers. Evidently, significant barriers remain for these children and youth to have access to needed health care in a timely way, and to fully participate in their families, communities and broader society. 

“In this report, we review the current literature on trans and non-binary children and youth and share their perspectives, along with those of their caregivers, on their health and social needs. We also offer evidence for policy and service development in support of these populations, and provide cross-sectoral recommendations for public and community sector agencies to better address the needs of these youth and their families.”

https://www.academia.edu/41337441/TRANS_AND_NON-BINARY_CHILDREN_AND_YOUTH_A_ROADMAP_FOR_IMPROVING_SERVICES_IN_ONTARIO?email_work_card=title

Understanding lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) adolescents’ suicide, self-harm and help-seeking behaviour

Understanding lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) adolescents’ suicide, self-harm and help-seeking behaviour 

Another report, this one from the UK, again documenting that hostile social forces and lack of social supports – not the LGBTQ+ identity – are the primary driver of LGBTQ+ suicide.  Create a more affirming and nurturing environment, and these youth can thrive. 

Department of Health Policy Research Programme Project Understanding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Adolescents' Suicide, Self-Harm and Help-Seeking Behaviour. June 30, 2016.  Authors: Elizabeth McDermott (Lancaster University), Elizabeth Hughes (University of Huddersfield) & Victoria Rawlings (Lancaster University).

“Executive summary 

“Background 

“International research demonstrates that LGBT youth are at much higher risk of suicide and self-harm compared to their heterosexual or cisgender counterparts. Evidence in the UK is sparse and only beginning to establish sexual and gender identity as a risk factor for adolescent suicide and self-harm, and as a result of this research scarcity we also know very little about help seeking behavior. The Suicide Prevention Strategy (2012) has identified LGBT youth as a high risk group but currently there is limited evidence to develop effective suicide prevention policy and practice.”

“Key findings 

“Understanding LGBT youth self-harm and suicide 

“Similar to findings from other studies on youth suicide, those who had self-harmed and/or had a disability had an increased likelihood of planned or attempted suicide. Gender identity was also a risk factor for self-harm and suicide. Those who were gender diverse (Trans/unsure) were nearly twice as likely to have self-harmed and one and a half times more likely to have planned or attempted suicide than cisgender participants. Cisgender males were the least likely to plan or attempt suicide, or self-harm compared to other gender identities. There were five interconnecting areas which explained the elevated risk of suicide and self-harm in LGBT youth: 1) homophobia, biphobia or transphobia; 2) sexual and gender norms; 3) managing sexual orientation and gender identity across multiple areas of life; 4) being unable to talk and; 5) other life crises.” 

“1. Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia 

“The majority (70.8%, n=527) of the sample had experienced direct abuse or negative interactions about their sexual or gender identity when they were self-harming or feeling suicidal. A great number of these incidents had occurred in schools but the participants experienced this hostility across all areas of life e.g. in public, leisure spaces, work, religious places and on the internet. Those who experienced abuse were one and a half times more likely to plan or attempt suicide. Bisexual participants were least likely to experience abuse compared to other sexual orientation groupings. Trans and disabled participants were twice as likely to experience abuse related to their sexual orientation/ gender identity than those who were not. They were also more likely to indicate that the abuse influenced their self-harm and suicidal feelings. Those who reported they were affected by homophobic abuse had double the odds of planning or attempting suicide.” 

“2. Sexual and gender norms 

“Sexual and gender norms that made many participants feel that something was wrong with them (because they were not heterosexual or cisgender), without being told or abused directly, also caused distress. Almost half the questionnaire participants felt negative about their sexual or gender identity during the time they were self-harming or felt suicidal; a far lower proportion felt positive about their sexual orientation or gender identity. Gender diverse participants were most likely to feel negative, and bisexual young people least likely to feel negative, about their sexual orientation and gender identity. Those who felt negative about their sexual and/or gender identity were more likely to have planned or attempted suicide.”

“3. Managing sexual orientation and gender identity across multiple areas of life 

“Making decisions about whether to disguise or hide their sexual orientation or gender identity in different contexts (e.g. school, home, public, internet, leisure places) and to a variety of people, impacted negatively on the participants’ mental health. The majority of young people found hiding their sexuality and gender identity distressing. Gender diverse participants were over three and a half times more likely to feel distressed about hiding their sexual orientation/gender identity compared to cisgender young people. Bisexual  participants were significantly less distressed than other sexual identity groupings. Those who found hiding their sexual orientation and gender identity distressing were nearly two times more likely to self-harm. Young people who reported that keeping their sexual orientation/ gender identity a secret strongly affected their self-harm and suicidal feelings were significantly more likely to attempt or plan suicide.” 

“4. Being unable to talk 

“Almost three quarters of participants (74.1%, n=533) indicated that not being able to talk about their feelings and emotions (in relation to their mental health, sexuality and gender identity) strongly influenced their self-harm and suicidal feelings. Those young people who felt more affected by not being able to talk about their emotions had significantly higher rates of self-harm and were nearly two and a half times more likely to report they had attempted or planned suicide” 

“5. Other life crises 

“Participants experienced a range of additional reasons for distress that were unrelated to sexual orientation/ gender identity. The most common were academic pressure, problems with friends, bullying, family breakdown, participant illness, financial problems, romantic relationships ending, and previous experiences of abuse…”

“Conclusions 

“To develop effective public health policy to prevent suicide in LGBT young people, the social factors that heighten risk need to be addressed, and supportive services put in place. As a priority this would entail tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic abuse in schools, addressing the continuing sexual and gender norms which marginalise those who are not heterosexual and cisgender, and providing support and space for LGBT youth to disclose and discuss their emotions and experiences in secure environments. Key policy areas to focus upon are schools and education, the role of the internet, increasing LGBT youth provision, developing online and face-to face LGBT youth specific mental health support, and improving mental health and gender identity NHS services…”

https://www.academia.edu/26625951/Understanding_lesbian_gay_bisexual_and_trans_LGBT_adolescents_suicide_self-harm_and_help-seeking_behaviour_Final_Report?email_work_card=title

The AusPATH [Australian Professional Association for Trans Health] Position Statement on "Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria" (ROGD)

Published September 30, 2019. Shared here in its’ entirety.

“The Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH) was established in 2009 and is Australia’s peak body for professionals involved in the health, rights and well-being of trans, including gender diverse and non-binary (TGDNB), people. The AusPATH membership comprises approximately 250 experienced professionals working across Australia.

“The term “Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD)” is not a diagnosis or health condition recognised by any major professional association, nor is it listed as a subtype or classification in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) or International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Therefore, “ROGD” is an acronym describing a proposed phenomenon, with insufficient peer-reviewed scientific evidence to support its implementation and/or use within clinical, community, social and legal settings1.

“AusPATH affirms the rigorous processes by which diagnoses are developed and applied. These academic and clinical processes operate within professional medical organisations, and are developed by expert working groups of  scientists, clinicians, and stakeholders over long periods of time, with high levels of scientific scrutiny of the evidence-based literature. “ROGD” does not meet this standard, and therefore is not recognised by AusPATH.

“Whilst many have a clear picture of their gender from a very early age, for others the journey towards understanding their gender is more prolonged. The timing of when an individual discloses their gender to others is a separate consideration and does not necessarily reflect the development of their experienced gender. Many do not disclose their identity, rather hiding it for fear of negative reactions from others, including family rejection, discrimination, stigmatisation and social exclusion. The term “Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria” is not, and has never been, a diagnosis or health condition but has been used in a single report describing parental perception of their adolescent’s gender identity without exploration of the gender identity and experiences of the adolescents themselves.

“AusPATH encourages continued scientific exploration within a culture of academic freedom, not censorship. All TGDNB people are deserving of gender-affirmative, evidence-based care that is underpinned by contemporary, adequately endorsed and community engaged standards of care and clinical guidelines.

“AusPATH recognises the harms caused by conversion, reparative and aversion treatments and opposes any such efforts to invalidate an individual’s experienced gender. AusPATH supports affirmative responses to young people whereby self-reported gender is respected, and young people are able to safely explore their gender and expression without judgment, pathologisation or predetermined outcome. AusPATH urges caution in the use of any term that has the potential to invalidate a person’s gender.

1. WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) position on “Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD)”4 September 2018

https://auspath.org/advocacy/?fbclid=IwAR3GN9E6NmvTyZNx-LcCIgW1mg5zpkE8UgpUaFYweTFBawgMS023DFTgtfI

Statement from Brown University School of Public Health Faculty Members Committed to LGBTQI Affirmative Health Research

We at the Gender Dysphoria Affirmative Working Group wish to thank these distinguished faculty from Brown University School of Public Health for openly and directly speaking out to the Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria ‘controversy’. We respect and appreciate their commitments to scientific honesty and rigor, to creating an environment of compassion and openness, to the necessity to include members of the trans and gender nonbinary community in all work done about the trans and nonbinary community, and to the health and wellbeing of trans and gender nonbinary people worldwide.

https://www.optionsri.org/post/a-letter-on-rapid-onset-gender-dysphoria?fbclid=IwAR3CDdGEy2s067VEjS9_Sa75gWyKWf4lnEs6Su-EHNsjXYJfXRJ3PmKOJHo

A few notable quotes:

“… [W]e write this letter as individual scientists and educators—who benefit from academic freedom—to publicly acknowledge the health-related harms and consequences of a lobby that seeks to undermine the legitimacy of transgender experiences. We also write this letter to state and underscore our commitment to uplift transgender and gender diverse communities through our research, scholarship, teaching, and service.”

“…The ROGD lobby has worked to undermine the experiences and identities of transgender and gender diverse individuals, with the potential for dire health consequences.”

“The ROGD lobby is also threatening transgender individuals’ rights via healthcare practice and public policy.”

“It is well-documented that being affirmed in one’s gender identity yields mental health benefits. Thus, we are committed to creating a safe and gender-affirming educational space for our students, staff, and fellow faculty of all genders, gender expressions, and sexual orientations.” 

“We also recognize that research is best conducted withnot onmembers of the population of interest. Thus, we are committed to carrying out our research in accordance with best practices for community-engaged research.”

“We also recognize the importance of having research agendas developed and implemented bytransgender and gender diverse communities. Thus, we are committed to building a pipeline of transgender students, fostering an environment where transgender and gender diverse students can thrive, and mentoring and training future generations of transgender and gender diverse researchers.”

“Finally, an essential responsibility of learned communities is to contribute to social good by amplifying the voices of vulnerable populations. Thus, we affirm our unwavering commitment to transgender and gender diverse communities and the highest standards of ethical, rigorous, and affirming research and practice.”

We encourage the Brown University School of Public Health and Brown University as a whole to issue similar statements in the near future. 

Don Cheadle Makes Powerful Fashion Statements On ‘SNL’

The Gender Dysphoria Affirmative Working Group would like to thank Saturday Night Live and actor Don Cheadle for their clear and visible statement in support of trans and gender nonbinary youth... some of the most vulnerable in our world today.

Don Cheadle Makes Powerful Fashion Statements On ‘SNL’

The award-winning actor offers support for transgender kids and takes a slap at Donald Trump.

By Carla Baranauckas

“Award-winning actor Don Cheadle had more than laughs on his mind when he hosted “Saturday Night Live” this weekend. And he made that clear with some of his wardrobe choices.”

“When he introduced Gary Clark Jr., the show’s musical guest, Cheadle wore a T-shirt that said, “Protect Trans Kids.” “ 

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/don-cheadle-fashion-statements-snl_n_5c6933e3e4b05c889d20071b?utm_medium=facebook&ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063&utm_campaign=hp_fb_pages&utm_source=main_fb&fbclid=IwAR0thfObhPBjBt4cjMummkjmqCDNtncDshtxTDbz7W9q02aCyTwN0goVui8

Australian Standards of Care and Treatment Guidelines for Trans and Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents

The 2018 Australian SOC for Trans and Gender Diverse Children and Adults... a very strongly affirming document based on the latest research making clear that affirmative treatment approaches - in which the youth's identity is respected and supported, where the youth are provided the freedom and safety to explore their gender without judgment - yield much happier and better adjusted youth and young adults. It also makes clear that disaffirming approaches are unethical and may cause harm.

Australian Standards of Care and Treatment Guidelines for Trans and Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents 

Authors: M.M. Telfer, M.A. Tollit, C.C. Pace, & K.C. Pang.   2018.  

“Being trans or gender diverse is now largely viewed as part of the natural spectrum of human diversity. It is, however, frequently accompanied by significant gender dysphoria (GD), which is characterised by the distress that arises from incongruence between a person’s gender identity and their sex assigned at birth. It is well recognised that trans and gender diverse individuals are at increased risk of harm because of discrimination, social exclusion, bullying, physical assault and even homicide. Serious psychiatric morbidity is seen in children and adolescents. A study of the mental health of trans young people living in Australia found very high rates of ever being diagnosed with depression (74.6%), anxiety (72.2%), post-traumatic stress disorder (25.1%), a personality disorder (20.1%), psychosis (16.2%) or an eating disorder (22.7%). Furthermore 79.7% reported ever self-harming and 48.1% ever attempting suicide.”

“Increasing evidence demonstrates that with supportive, gender affirming care during childhood and adolescence, harms can be ameliorated and mental health and wellbeing outcomes can be significantly improved.”

“Understanding and using a person’s preferred name and pronouns is vital to the provision of affirming and respectful care of trans children and adolescents.  Providing an environment that demonstrates inclusiveness and respect for diversity is essential... Some children or adolescents may request use of a preferred name or pronoun only in certain circumstances, such as when their parents are, or are not, present in the room. This is important to respect and enact to enable optimal patient-clinician engagement, and ensure confidentiality and patient safety.”

“Avoiding harm is an important ethical consideration for health professionals when considering different options for medical and surgical intervention. Withholding of gender affirming treatment is not considered a neutral option, and may exacerbate distress in a number of ways including increasing depression, anxiety and suicidality, social withdrawal, as well as possibly increasing chances of young people illegally accessing medications.” 

“In the past, psychological practices attempting to change a person’s gender identity to be more aligned with their sex assigned at birth were used.  Such practices, typically known as conversion or reparative therapies, lack efficacy, are considered unethical and may cause lasting damage to a child or adolescent’s social and emotional health and wellbeing.”

https://www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/adolescent-medicine/australian-standards-of-care-and-treatment-guidelines-for-trans-and-gender-diverse-children-and-adolescents.pdf

Chosen Name Use Is Linked to Reduced Depressive Symptoms, Suicidal Ideation, and Suicidal Behavior Among Transgender Youth

Even something as “simple” as using a trans youth’s chosen/preferred/self-identified name can be a very powerful intervention with clear positive outcomes. And don’t we want our youth to have less depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation?

Published in: Journal of Adolescent Health. October, 2018. Authors: Stephen T. Russell, Amanda M. Pollitt, Gu Li, Arnold H. Grossman.

“Transgender youth whose gender expression and names do not appear to match may be vulnerable to unintended disclosure or “outing,” and to discrimination or victimization, factors that could lead to mental health problems [1]. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relation between chosen name use, as a proxy for youths' gender affirmation in various contexts, and mental health among transgender youth.”

“We asked transgender youth whether they had a preferred name different from the name they were given at birth, and, if yes, asked, ‘are you able to go by your preferred name’ at home (n = 54), at school (n = 57), at work (n = 50), or with friends (n=69).”

“…chosen name use in more contexts predicted fewer depressive symptoms and less suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior. An increase by one context in which a chosen name could be used predicted a 5.37-unit decrease in depressive symptoms, a 29% decrease in suicidal ideation, and a 56% decrease in suicidal behavior. We observed similar results when we individually tested specific contexts for chosen name use (except that chosen name use with friends did not significantly predict mental health after adjusting for demographics and close friend support). Depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior were at the lowest levels when chosen names could be used in all four contexts.”

https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(18)30085-5/fulltext

Recognising the needs of gender variant children and their parents

Recognising the needs of gender variant children and their parents

Published in: Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and Learning.  2013.  Authors: Elizabeth A. Riley, Gomathi Sitharthan, Lindy Clemson & Milton Diamond

“The data in the present study suggest that even when gender-variant children actively endeavour to conform, their efforts are often thwarted by individuals who seek to marginalise and victimise them for their difference. Children therefore suffer from an invisibility and lack of recognition of their needs, on the one hand, and (in some cases) a violation of their personal boundaries that can foster a general anxiety, on the other. The well-documented need of all children for acceptance and affirmation places even more responsibility on adults to be compassionate and make provisions for gender-variant children.” 

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2013.796287

The Needs of Gender-Variant Children and Their Parents According to Health Professionals

Another article outlining that more supportive, nurturing, and affirming perspectives on a youth’s self-reported gender identity are needed to support both the youth and their parents.

Published in: International Journal of Transgenderism.  March 4, 2013.  Authors: Elizabeth Anne Riley, Gomathi Sitharthan, Lindy Clemson & Milton Diamond

“The issues that gender-variant children face highlight consistent deficits and negativity in the children’s lives and focus our attention to the extraordinary burden placed on gender-variant children in their formative years. A report by Grant et al. (2010) describes in detail the extraordinary levels of harassment, physical assault, and sexual violence experienced by transgender children in years during primary and high school. These issues, if unable to be alleviated, are likely to present ongoing and accumulative difficulties that then impact their lives as adults.”

“… The needs of parents overwhelmingly feature the various types of support that would help parents become informed, be able to cope, and make the best decisions for their child. Societal and community support appear to be crucial factors for parents to comfortably engage with the tasks required of them to support their child.”

“… The needs of gender-variant children identified from the professionals’ responses revealed a lack of respect for the rights of children who experience gender variance. The most frequently mentioned needs were to be accepted and supported; to be heard, respected, and loved; to have professional support and recognition; to be allowed to express their gender; to feel safe and protected; to live a normal life; to have peer contact; to have school support and; to have access to puberty-delaying hormones. The needs of the parents focused primarily on areas of support and professional assistance, namely, the need for emotional support and guidance; education and information; support from society, local community, friends, and family; competent knowledgeable professionals; diagnosis, treatment, and beneficial outcomes for their children; peer support; support, understanding, and acceptance from schools; and research.”

“Together, these findings call for education programs to provide knowledge and exposure to the issues that transgender people face, across such sectors as medicine, mental health, and teaching in schools. The targeted education of medical and counseling professionals, the inclusion of printed materials in doctors’ surgeries, and the distribution of best practice guidelines and training in schools would signal a major change across the professional and community sectors that the needs of transgender children are being taken seriously.”

http://www.hawaii.edu/PCSS/biblio/articles/2010to2014/2011-needs-of-gender-variant-children.html

Social Support Networks for LGBT Young Adults: Low Cost Strategies for Positive Adjustment

A study demonstrating that family support is essential in the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth.

Published in: Family Relations.  July, 2015.  Authors: Shannon D. Snapp, Ryan J. Watson, Stephen T. Russell, Rafael M. Diaz, Caitlin Ryan.

“Our study adds to the growing body of evidence that family support, both general and sexuality specific, is a crucial factor in LGBT youth’s health and well-being…”

“Two variables were most relevant in predicting adjustment: (a) the percentage of friends who knew about participants’ sexual or gender identity and (b) support related to being LGBT from friends. The presence of a network of friends to whom youth can be out has been linked to measures of health and well-being…”

“Although friendship support is clearly associated with positive well-being in young adulthood, it appears that family acceptance has a stronger overall influence when other forms of support are considered jointly.”

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01612840.2017.1398283

Why Parents of Trans Kids Are A Special Kind of Tired

Not research, but a really lovely piece on being a parent to a trans or nonbinary youth. Hopefully this helps some of the parents who might need some support.

Why Parents of Trans Kids Are A Special Kind of Tired

Yes. All parents walking the earth are tired.

We are all absolutely in solidarity with that fact.

We could all use about a week on a deserted island without any children, technology, or responsibilities of any kind.

But I feel the need to tell you about the special kind of tired that parents of transgender kids are experiencing.

It’s different than most versions of tired.

And this isn’t to “one-up”. And this certainly isn’t to take away from an LGBTQIA child themselves, their own struggles and hardships. This isn’t to take away from, or distract from… anyone.

This isn’t a competition.

This is just to simply explain and shed light on how we’re feeling, since it’s of my belief that we, the parents of trans youth, are living in our own marginalized community.

Read the rest:

https://vanessaleenic.com/2018/09/21/why-parents-of-trans-kids-are-a-special-kind-of-tired/

Family Rejection as a Predictor of Suicide Attempts and Substance Misuse Among Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Adults

Published in: LGBT Health. May 25, 2016. Authors: Augustus Klein and Sarit Golub.

"42.3% of [transgender adults] reported a suicide attempt and 26.3% reported misusing drugs or alcohol to cope with transgender-related discrimination… family rejection was associated with increased odds of both behaviors. Odds increased significantly with increasing levels of family rejection."

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/lgbt.2015.0111?journalCode=lgbt