Skip to content

medicine and transgender people

Anne Wæhre is a Norwegian pediatrician involved in conservative clinical practices and anti-transgender activism. Wæhre is a strong proponent of psychological gatekeeping for trans health services, especially for minors.

Background

Wæhre earned a medical degree from University of Oslo (UiO) in 2000. Wæhre has been affiliated with Oslo University Hospital since 2006.

Anti-transgender activism

Wæhre has published on sex and gender minorities with other conservative clinicians, including Riittakerttu Kaltiala. Wæhre has published in anti-trans journal Archives of Sexual Behavior.

Wæhre is a prominent critic of Norway’s national professional guidelines for gender incongruence published in 2020 by Helsedirektoratet [The Norwegian Directorate for Health].

Wæhre was an invited speaker at a 2023 conference organized by anti-transgender hate group Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine.

References

Eggestad, Silje J. (January 16, 2025). Leder for nasjonalt transtilbud stilte opp hos arrangør utpekt som LHBTQ-hatgruppe: – Uproblematisk, mener OUS [Head of national trans program spoke out against organizer designated as LGBTQ hate group: – Unproblematic, says OUS]. Filter Nyheter https://filternyheter.no/leder-for-nasjonalt-transtilbud-stilte-opp-hos-arrangor-utpekt-som-lhbtq-hatgruppe-uproblematisk-mener-ous/

Sørli, Aleksander; Wik, Ingun (February 5, 2020). Useriøst om kjønnsbekreftende behandling: Vi er bekymret for at viktige diskusjoner ignoreres til fordel for en rent ideologisk debatt der både forskning og brukerperspektiver må vike til fordel for synsing og overdreven bekymring. [Nonsense about gender confirmation treatment: We are concerned that important discussions are being ignored in favor of a purely ideological debate where both research and user perspectives must give way to opinion and excessive concern]. Dagens Medisin https://www.dagensmedisin.no/debatt-og-kronikk/useriost-om-kjonnsbekreftende-behandling/239573

Coverage in anti-trans press

Nymoen, Ole Christian (April 24, 2025). Stor usikkerhet om kjønnsbehandling for mindreårige: – Blir stemplet som transfob [Great uncertainty about gender treatment for minors: – Being labeled as transphobic]. Nettavisen https://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/stor-usikkerhet-om-kjonnsbehandling-for-mindrearige-blir-stemplet-som-transfob/s/5-95-1777762

Brandvold, Åse (April 23, 2024). Mener en hard debatt kan skade pasienter: Overlege Anne Wæhre har fått ansvaret for å sikre at kjønns­behandling for barn og unge skal følges opp med forskning. Hun mener det giftige debattklimaet kan gå ut over pasientene. [Believes a tough debate could harm patients Chief Physician Anne Wæhre has been given the responsibility to ensure that gender treatment for children and adolescents is followed up with research. She believes that the toxic debate climate can affect patients]. Klassekampen https://klassekampen.no/artikkel/2024-04-23/mener-en-hard-debatt-kan-skade-pasienter

Lilleeng, Sverre (April 18, 2024). Har stramma inn tilbud til trans­personer: – Behandler færre før de blir 18 år. Overlege mener det er lite dokumentert at behandlinga hun gir til barn og unge hjelper. Nå blir den ansett som «utprøvende». [Has tightened services for transgender people: – Treats fewer before they turn 18. The chief physician believes there is little documentation that the treatment she gives to children and adolescents helps. It is now considered “experimental.”]. NRK https://www.nrk.no/trondelag/har-stramma-inn-tilbud-til-transpersoner_-_-behandler-faerre-for-de-blir-18-ar-1.16841653

Enger, Cecilie (September 1, 2023). Jeg har vel ikke egentlig bearbeidet hvor tungt det har vært å stå i denne stormen [– I guess I haven’t really processed how hard it has been to stand in this storm. Being critical of the treatment given to transsexuals in Norway has come at a high price for consultant Anne Wæhre]. Dagens Næringsliv https://www.dn.no/magasinet/portrettet/transpersoner/rikshospitalet/kjonn/-jeg-har-vel-ikke-egentlig-bearbeidet-hvor-tungt-det-har-vart-a-sta-i-denne-stormen/2-1-1508228

Payne, Daniel (July 14, 2023). 21 international doctors sign open letter against youth transgender ‘transition’ procedures. Catholic News Agency https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254800/21-international-doctors-sign-open-letter-against-youth-transgender-transition-procedures

Staff report (October 13, 2022). Why do so many teenaged girls ask for gender reassignment? CNE [Christian News Europe] https://cne.news/artikel/1843-why-do-so-many-teenaged-girls-ask-for-gender-reassignment

Hodne, Anna Myklebust; Rise, Mina Maria; Five, Mari Linge (October 10, 2022). Plutselig økte én pasientgruppe: – Påfallende [Suddenly one patient group increased: – Strikingly]. TV2 https://www.tv2.no/nyheter/innenriks/plutselig-okte-en-pasientgruppe-pafallende/15159773/

Selected publications by Wæhre

Pisani Sundhagen, H., Wæhre, A., Tønseth, K. A., & Fauske, L. (2025). Exploring experiences of metoidioplasty: a qualitative study. International Journal of Transgender Health, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2025.2536500

Jessen, Reidar Schei; Wæhre, Anne; David, Linda W.; Stänicke, Line Indrevoll & Stänicke, Erik (2025). “It was actually my family and friends who noticed that my voice changed”: An interview study on the experiences of transgender and non-binary youth and young adults three years into medical treatment. International Journal of Transgender Health https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2025.2478498

Gulseth, E., Urdal, A., Andersen, M. H., Falk, R. S., Aksnes, G., Emblem, R., Diseth, T., & Wæhre, A. (2025). Mental health and health-related quality of life in adolescents surgically treated for hypospadias in childhood. Journal of Pediatric Urology, 21(1), 59–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpurol.2024.09.031 Full text http://hdl.handle.net/10852/116372

Jessen, Reidar Schei; Wæhre, Anne; David, Linda W.; Stänicke, Line Indrevoll & Stänicke, Erik (2025). Finding Oneself in the Gazes of Others: An Exploration of Subjective Experiences of Gender Among Young Binary Transgender Men. Studies in Gender and Sexuality, 26(1), p. 52 69. https://doi.org/10.1080/15240657.2025.2453288

Sundhagen, Henriette Pisani; Wæhre, Anne & Tønseth, Kim Alexander (2024). Metoidioplasty in Norway: A 13-year Experience from a National Center. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 12(11). https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000006307 Full text http://hdl.handle.net/10852/116721

Nyquist, Cecilie Bjertness; Torgersen, Leila; David, Linda W.; Diseth, Trond Haaken; Gulbrandsen, Kjersti & Wæhre, Anne (2024). Treatment trajectories among children and adolescents referred to the Norwegian National Center for Gender Incongruence. Acta Paediatrica, 114(5), 1006–1014. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.17530 Full text http://hdl.handle.net/10852/115920

Wæhre, Anne (September 6, 2024). Størst mulig nytte og minst mulig skade «Det er viktig at ungdom får anledning til å reflektere over sin identitet før man vurderer medikamentell behandling», skriver Anne Wæhre [Maximum benefit and minimum harm: “It is important that young people have the opportunity to reflect on their identity before considering drug treatment,” writes Anne Wæhre.]. Psychologisk https://psykologisk.no/2024/09/storst-mulig-nytte-og-minst-mulig-skade/

David, L. W., Stenberg, N., Diseth, T. H., Helverschou, S. B., Nyquist, C. B., Øien, R. A., & Waehre, A. (2023). Autistic Characteristics in a Nationally Representative Clinical Sample of Adolescents Seeking Medical Gender-Affirming Treatment in Norway. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 55(1), 147–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-06181-6

Conservative signatories (July 14, 2023). Youth Gender Transition Is Pushed Without Evidence. Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/articles/trans-gender-affirming-care-transition-hormone-surgery-evidence-c1961e27

Nyquist, C. B., Torgersen, L., David, L. W., Diseth, T. H., Magnus, P., Biele, G. P. E., & Waehre, A. (2024). Population-adjusted numbers, demographics and mental health among children and adolescents referred to the Norwegian National Center for Gender Incongruence over two decades. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 34(2), 647–657. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-024-02508-5 Full text http://hdl.handle.net/10852/114064

Mediå, L. M., Fauske, L., Sigurdardottir, S., Billaud Feragen, K. J., & Waehre, A. (2024). Differences of sex development and surgical decisions: focus group interviews with health care professionals in Norway. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2024.2371134 Full text http://hdl.handle.net/10852/117942

Sundhagen, H. P., Opheim, A. B., Wæhre, A., Oliver, N. K., & Tønseth, K. A. (2023). Chest Wall Contouring in Transgender Men: A 20-Year Experience from a National Center. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open, 11(4), e4952. https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000004952 Full text http://hdl.handle.net/10852/110528

David, L. W., Stenberg, N., Diseth, T. H., Helverschou, S. B., Nyquist, C. B., Øien, R. A., & Waehre, A. (2023). Autistic Characteristics in a Nationally Representative Clinical Sample of Adolescents Seeking Medical Gender-Affirming Treatment in Norway. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 55(1), 147–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-06181-6  Full text https://hdl.handle.net/10037/32371

Mediå, L. M., Sigurdardottir, S., Fauske, L., & Waehre, A. (2023). Understanding sexual health concerns among adolescents and young adults with differences of sex development: a qualitative study. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2023.2204635 Full text  http://hdl.handle.net/10852/109429

Gulseth, E., Urdal, A., Andersen, M. H., Falk, R. S., Aksnes, G., Emblem, R., & Wæhre, A. (2023). Sexual well-being and penile appearance in adolescents operated for distal hypospadias in childhood. Journal of Pediatric Urology, 19(3), 293.e1-293.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpurol.2023.03.001 Full text  http://hdl.handle.net/10852/106930

Waehre, A., Heggeli, C., Hald, K., Myhre, A. G., & Diseth, T. (2022). A 15–20-year follow-up of mental health, psychosocial functioning and quality of life in a single center sample of individuals with differences in sex development. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 10(1), 837–854. https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2022.2116329 Full text http://hdl.handle.net/10852/100660

Mediå, L. M., Fauske, L., Sigurdardottir, S., Feragen, K. J. B., Heggeli, C., & Wæhre, A. (2022). ‘It was Supposed to be a Secret’: a study of disclosure and stigma as experienced by adults with differences of sex development. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 10(1), 579–595. https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2022.2102018

Jessen RS, Wæhre A, David L, Stänicke E (2021). Negotiating Gender in Everyday Life: Toward a Conceptual Model of Gender Dysphoria in Adolescents. Arch Sex Behav. 2021 Nov;50(8):3489-3503. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02024-6.

Wæhre, Anne (2021). Medisinsk perspektiv på behandling av medfødt variasjon i kroppslig kjønnsutvikling og kjønnsinkongruens hos barn og unge [Medical perspective on the treatment of congenital variation in physical gender development and gender incongruence in children and adolescents]. In Hellum, Anne & Sørlie, Anniken (Ed.), Frihet, likhet og mangfold: Kjønnsidentitet og seksuell orientering i rettslig, medisinsk og samfunnsvitenskapelig kontekst [Freedom, equality and diversity: Gender identity and sexual orientation in legal, medical and social scientific contexts.]. Gyldendal Akademisk. ISSN 9788205518698. p. 200–224.

Gulseth, E., Urdal, A., Andersen, M. H., Diseth, T., Aksnes, G., Emblem, R., & Wæhre, A. (2021). High satisfaction on genital self-perception and sexual function in healthy Norwegian male adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Urology, 17(4), 555.e1-555.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpurol.2021.02.015

Kaltiala R, Bergman H, Carmichael P, de Graaf NM, Rischel KE, Frisén L, Schorkopf M, Suomalainen L, Waehre A (2020). Time trends in referrals to child and adolescent gender identity services: a study in four Nordic countries and in the UK. Nord J Psychiatry. 2020 Jan;74(1):40-44. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2019.1667429

Daae, E., Feragen, K. B., Waehre, A., Nermoen, I., & Falhammar, H. (2020). Sexual Orientation in Individuals With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00038

Wæhre A, Schorkopf M (2019). Kjønnsvariasjon, medisinsk behandling og vårt ansvar [Gender variance, medical treatment and our responsibility]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2019 Apr 8;139(7). https://doi.org/10.4045/tidsskr.19.0178.

Surén, Pål; Wæhre, Anne; Tønseth, Kim Alexander; Bauge, Ingvild Skogen; Stoltenberg, Camilla (July 21, 2020). Helsedirektoratet kommer med uforsvarlige retningslinjer for kjønnsinkongruens | Fem leger. Kunnskapsgrunnlaget for behandlingen er svakt. [The Norwegian Directorate of Health issues irresponsible guidelines for gender incongruence | Five doctors. The knowledge base for the treatment is weak.]. Aftenposten https://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/kronikk/i/MRzMWB/helsedirektoratet-kommer-med-uforsvarlige-retningslinjer-for-kjoennsinkongruens-fem-leger

Waehre, Anne; Tønseth, Kim Alexander (March 21, 2018). Vi har fått en eksplosiv økning i antall tenåringsjenter som ønsker å skifte kjønn. Tar du ansvaret, Bent Høie? | Anne Wæhre og Kim Alexander Tønseth. Behandlingsivrige sexologer spanderer hårvekst og mørk stemme på nasjonens døtre [We have had an explosive increase in the number of teenage girls who want to change gender. Do you take responsibility, Bent Høie? | Anne Wæhre and Kim Alexander Tønseth. Treatment-hungry sexologists are treating the nation’s daughters to hair growth and a dark voice]. Aftenposten https://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/kronikk/i/BJvg49/vi-har-faatt-en-eksplosiv-oekning-i-antall-tenaaringsjenter-som-oensker-aa-skifte-kjoenn-tar-du-ansvaret-bent-hoeie-anne-waehre-og-kim-alexander-toenseth

Resources

Oslo University Hospital (ous-research.no)

  • Anne Waehre
  • ous-research.no/home/diseth/Group+members/15915

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

ResearchGate (researchgate.net)

Iván D. Florez is a Colombian pediatrician and anti-transgender activist.

Florez was an invited speaker at a 2023 anti-trans conference organized by anti-transgender hate group the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine.

Background

Ivan D. Florez-Gomez lists the following affiliations:

  • Pediatrician, M.Sc. Clinical Epidemiology, Ph.D. in Health Research Methodology
  • Full (tenured) Professor, Dept. of Pediatrics, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
  • Pediatrician (PedsICU), Clinica Las Américas-AUNA, Medellin, Colombia
  • Adjunct Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Canada
  • Leader of the Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch & Evaluation (AGREE) Collaboration
  • Director, Cochrane Colombia
  • Editor-In-Chief: Clinical & Pub Health Guidelines (Guidelines International Network-GIN)
  • Editorial Board: Journal of Clinical Epidemiology; Journal of the American Heart Association, Cochrane Evidence Synthesis Methods, & Pediatric Discovery)
  • Membership: SPOR-EA, GIN, Cochrane & the GRADE working group

Media

Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (January 14, 2024). SEGM NYC23 – Ivan Florez – What is a Trustworthy Guideline? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smRzaGjQU0Y

Resources

X/Twitter (x.com)

ORCID (orcid.org)

Stephen Beck is an American healthcare executive and anti-transgender activist. Beck is a member of anti-trans hate group Society for Evidence-based Gender Medicine (SEGM). Beck and spouse Sharon are unaccepting parents of a trans nonbinary child.

Background

Stephen Richard “Steve” Beck was born May 22, 1967. Beck earned a medical degree from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 1992. Beck practices internal medicine in Ohio.

Beck is married to Sharon “Shari” Beck aka “Maria Polaris,” “Maria Borealis,” “Maria Veradis” and a host of other pseudonyms, an anti-trans extremist affiliated with Cardinal Support Network and Parents of ROGD Kids.

Anti-transgender activism

Beck coathored a 2021 letter with SEGM members William J. Malone, Paul W. Hruz, and Julia W. Mason critical of clnical guidelines published by endocrinology groups.

References

Jones, Zinnia (January 31, 2024). “Still dreaming of running over the trans activists”: Sharon Beck, leader of anti-trans parent group Cardinal Support Network and wife of SEGM’s cofounder, “guided” Ohio Rep. Gary Click on his trans care ban. Gender Analysis https://genderanalysis.net/2024/01/still-dreaming-of-running-over-the-trans-activists-sharon-beck-leader-of-anti-trans-parent-group-cardinal-support-network-and-wife-of-segms-cofounder-guided/

SPLC (December 12, 2023). Group dynamics and division of labor within the anti-LGBTQ+ pseudoscience network. https://www.splcenter.org/resources/reports/defining-pseudoscience-network/

Jones, Zinnia (January 11, 2023). Anti-trans group SEGM’s cofounder Stephen Beck is an executive at Bon Secours Mercy Health, the fifth-largest Catholic healthcare network in the US. Gender Analysis https://genderanalysis.net/2023/01/anti-trans-group-segms-cofounder-stephen-beck-is-an-executive-at-bon-secours-mercy-health-the-fifth-largest-catholic-healthcare-network-in-the-us/

Selected writing by Beck

Abby Walch, Caroline Davidge-Pitts, Joshua D Safer, Ximena Lopez, Vin Tangpricha, Sean J Iwamoto (2021). Proper Care of Transgender and Gender Diverse Persons in the Setting of Proposed Discrimination: A Policy Perspective. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021 Jan 23;106(2):305-308. https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgaa816.

  • William J. Malone, Paul W. Hruz, Julia W. Mason, and Stephen Beck (2021). Letter to the Editor from William J. Malone et al: “Proper Care of Transgender and Gender-diverse Persons in the Setting of Proposed Discrimination: A Policy Perspective” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 106, Issue 8, August 2021, Pages e3287–e3288, https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgab205
  • Abby Walch, Caroline Davidge-Pitts, Ximena Lopez, Vin Tangpricha, Sean J Iwamoto, Joshua D Safer (2021). Response to Letter to the Editor from Malone: “Proper Care of Transgender and Gender Diverse Persons in the Setting of Proposed Discrimination: A Policy Perspective.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 106, Issue 8, August 2021, Pages e3295–e3296, https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgab206

Resources

GoFundMe (gofundme.com)

World Professional Association for Transgender Health (wpath.org)

X/Twitter (x.com)

Kathleen Goonan is an American physician and anti-transgender activist.

Goonan was an invited speaker at a 2023 conference organized by anti-transgender hate group Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine.

Background

Kathleen Jennison “Kate” Goonan is Director of Medical Support for ex-transgender organization Resilience Health Network.

References

Maryland House Bill 722. Statement of Kathleen Jennison Goonan, M.D. https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/cmte_testimony/2024/hgo/1vjoQqY54RkBw86DZa1AvSEmXfubUPF3-.pdf

  • “I speak in support of legislation to limit access to so-called “gender affirmative” medical and surgical treatments which are unproven to reduce mental suffering in minors experiencing gender discordance.”

Jones, Zinnia (October 23, 2023). Mask off, mask on: Kathleen Goonan, advisor to SEGM and Genspect, taught Moms for Liberty to “play a dual game” and pretend to support parents who accept their trans kids. Medium https://zinniajones.medium.com/mask-off-mask-on-kathleen-goonan-advisor-to-segm-and-genspect-taught-moms-for-liberty-to-play-a609a6f36860

Media

Gender: A Wider Lens (July 7, 2023). EP 121 – Practical Advice for Managing Gender Identity in Schools with Dr. Kate Goonan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpAlk1FWLr0

Resources

Atomic Gender (atomicgender.com)

Commonwealth Fund (commonwealthfund.org)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

The Journal of the American Medical Association

Keyword analysis, 1962-2003

A reader sent this in 2003. The results were not independently confirmed.

I’ve been poking around the Journal of the American Medical Association, seeing what’s been published regarding [transsexual topics], when, and who authored it. I tend to look for patterns, like most good primates, and there are some very clear patterns that need thinking about:

A baseline search for the following words anywhere in the article of all available articles and archives between 1962 and 2003:

Keyword# of results
Blood12, 926
Sex6,813
Gender1,415
Homosexual431
Gay305
Lesbian82
Transsexual (including -ism, -ity)21
Transexual0

Of the 21 articles published by the AMA in the last 40 years concerning transsexualism, the topics and disciplines are as follows:

1 article in the Archives of Opthomology:

Ajita Grewal, Robert Y. Kim, and Emmett T. Cunningham, Jr Miliary Tuberculosis. Arch Ophthalmol 1998 116: 953-954.

2 articles in the Archives of Internal Medicine:

C. J. Fortin, T. Klein, H. L. Messmore, and J. B. O’Connell Myocardial infarction and severe thromboembolic complications. As seen in an estrogen-dependent transsexual. Archives of Internal Medicine 1984 144: 1082-1083.

M. deMarinis and E. N. Arnett Cerebrovascular occlusion in a transsexual man taking mestranol. Archives of Internal Medicine 1978 138: 1732-1733.

9 arcticles in the JAMA:

M. M. Belli Transsexual surgery.. A new tort? JAMA 1978 239: 2143-2148.

T. J. Pritchard, D. A. Pankowsky, J. P. Crowe, and F. W. Abdul-Karim Breast cancer in a male-to-female transsexual. A case report
JAMA 1988 259: 2278-2280.

HIV-Related Tuberculosis in a Transgender Network-Baltimore, Maryland, and New York City Area, 1998-2000
JAMA 2000 283: 2515-2516.

Domeena C. Renshaw Lessons From the Intersexed. JAMA 1999 281: 1137-1138. JAMA 1992 267: 1342

K. L. Lehrman Pulmonary embolism in a transsexual man taking diethylstilbestrol. JAMA 1976 235: 532-533.

Joe Leigh Simpson, Arne Ljungqvist, Malcolm A. Ferguson-Smith, Albert de la Chapelle, Louis J. Elsas II, A. A. Ehrhardt, Myron Genel, Elizabeth A. Ferris, and Alison Carlson Gender Verification in the Olympics. JAMA 2000 284: 1568-1569.

Books, Journals, New Media Received. JAMA 2000 283: 676-677.

Domeena C. Renshaw Hermaphrodites and the Medical Invention of Sex. JAMA 1999 281: 1138-1139.

9 articles in the Archives of General Psychiatry:

R. E. Hellman, R. Green, J. L. Gray, and K. Williams Childhood sexual identity, childhood religiosity, and “homophobia” as influences in the development of transsexualism, homosexuality, and heterosexuality. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1981 38: 910-915.

Henry J. Friedman The Sexual Century. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2002 59: 667-669.

D. H. Barlow, G. G. Abel, and E. B.. Blanchard Gender identity change in transsexuals. Follow-up and replications. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1979 36: 1001-1007.

Cindy M. Meston and Penny F. Frohlich The Neurobiology of Sexual Function. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2000 57: 1012-1030.

L. M. Lothstein and S. B. Levine Expressive psychotherapy with gender dysphoric patients. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1981 38: 924-929.

H. J. Baker Male transsexualism.. Confirmation of a hypothesis?
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1975 32: 1587-1588.

D. H. Barlow, E. J. Reynolds, and W. S. Agras Gender identity change in a transsexual. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1973 28: 569-576.

S. I. Harrison, A. C. Cain, and E. Benedek The childhood of a transsexual. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1968 19: 28-37.

H. Greilsheimer and J. E. Groves Male genital self-mutilation. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1979 36: 441-446.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is the largest professional association of pediatricians in the United States. 

2018 position statement

In 2018, three AAP committees involved in healthcare for gender diverse youth published a position statement

AAP rejects gender identity change efforts (GICE) created by conservative 20th-century clinicians who wanted to prevent the “bad outcome” of transgender adults:

In contrast, “conversion” or “reparative” treatment models are used to prevent children and adolescents from identifying as transgender or to dissuade them from exhibiting gender-diverse expressions. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has concluded that any therapeutic intervention with the goal of changing a youth’s gender expression or identity is inappropriate. Reparative approaches have been proven to be not only unsuccessful but also deleterious and are considered outside the mainstream of traditional medical practice. The AAP described reparative approaches as “unfair and deceptive.” At the time of this writing, conversion therapy was banned by executive regulation in New York and by legislative statutes in 9 other states as well as the District of Columbia.

AAP also rejects the outdated non-affirming approach called “gender exploratory therapy” or “watchful waiting.”

Research substantiates that children who are prepubertal and assert an identity of TGD know their gender as clearly and as consistently as their developmentally equivalent peers who identify as cisgender and benefit from the same level of social acceptance. This developmental approach to gender affirmation is in contrast to the outdated approach in which a child’s gender-diverse assertions are held as “possibly true” until an arbitrary age (often after pubertal onset) when they can be considered valid, an approach that authors of the literature have termed “watchful waiting.” This outdated approach does not serve the child because critical support is withheld. Watchful waiting is based on binary notions of gender in which gender diversity and fluidity is pathologized; in watchful waiting, it is also assumed that notions of gender identity become fixed at a certain age. The approach is also influenced by a group of early studies with validity concerns, methodologic flaws, and limited follow-up on children who identified as TGD and, by adolescence, did not seek further treatment (“desisters”). More robust and current research suggests that, rather than focusing on who a child will become, valuing them for who they are, even at a young age, fosters secure attachment and resilience, not only for the child but also for the whole family.

In 2022, AAP President Moira Szilagyi wrote following their annual convention:

“There is strong consensus among the most prominent medical organizations worldwide that evidence-based, gender-affirming care for transgender children and adolescents is medically necessary and appropriate. It can even be lifesaving. The decision of whether and when to start gender-affirming treatment, which does not necessarily lead to hormone therapy or surgery, is personal and involves careful consideration by each patient and their family.”

Szilagyi (2022)

For this stance, the AAP has been attacked by anti-trans activists, including James Cantor, Julia Mason, Leor Sapir, Aaron Sibarium, Jamie Reed, Matilda Gosling, Jesse Singal, Colin Wright, and the conservative anti-trans hate group American College of Pediatricians.

References

Rafferty J et al (2018). Ensuring Comprehensive Care and Support for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics (2018) 142 (4): e20182162. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-2162 Authors: Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health; Committee on Adolescence; Section on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health and Wellness Michael Yogman, MD; Rebecca Baum, MD; Thresia B. Gambon, MD; Arthur Lavin, MD; Gerri Mattson, MD; Lawrence Sagin Wissow, MD; Cora Breuner, MD; Elizabeth M. Alderman, MD; Laura K. Grubb, MD; Makia E. Powers, MD; Krishna Upadhya, MD; Stephenie B. Wallace, MD; Lynn Hunt, MD; Anne Teresa Gearhart, MD; Christopher Harris, MD; Kathryn Melland Lowe, MD; Chadwick Taylor Rodgers, MD; Ilana Michelle Sherer, MD

Szilagyi M (August 10, 2022). Why We Stand Up for Transgender Children and Teens https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/aap-voices/why-we-stand-up-for-transgender-children-and-teens/

Resources

American Academy of Pediatrics (aap.org)

Healthy Children (healthychildren.org)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Twitter (twitter.com)

Pediatrics is a medical specialty focusing on healthcare for infants, children, adolescents, and in some cases, young adults. 

In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a policy statement called Ensuring Comprehensive Care and Support for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents (PDF). This document recommends the affirmative model of care.

Transgender pediatricians

Rachel Levine is a transgender pediatrician who became Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Planning and Evaluation in 2021. Levine is the first transgender American to hold an office that requires Senate confirmation.

Gender-affirming

Organizations and individuals who support affirming models of care include:

Non-affirming

Organizations and individuals who promote non-affirming models of care include:

Richard Byng is a British general practitioner of medicine and anti-transgender activist.

Byng is involved with anti-trans organization Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM).

Background

  • 2009 GP with Special Interest in Mental Health accreditation
  • 2004 PhD, University of London, Health Services Research
  • 1996 Masters in Public Health (MPH), University of Birmingham
  • 1992-1993 MRCGP, Oxford (Banbury) Vocational Training Scheme
  • 1985-1988 M.B. B.Ch. (Cambridge), The Royal London Hospital Medical College,
  • 1982-1985 B.A. (Hons) Medical Sciences Degree (2:1), Queens’ College, Cambridge University

2018 Guardian letter

Byng was a signatory on a letter in The Guardian critical of the Gender Recognition Act. The open letter included many other key anti-transgender extremists. 

2019 Standing For Women anti-transgender event

In 2019 Byng spoke at an anti-trans event organized by Standing for Women titled First Do No Harm – the ethics of transgender healthcare

Also present was James Caspian, David Davies, Julia Long, Heather Brunskell-Evans, Posie Parker, Maya Forstater, Sue Evans, and Sonia Poulton.

2022 US Health and Human Service meeting

On April 25, 2022, anti-trans organization Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM) arranged a meeting with US government officials on healthcare for trans and gender diverse youth. Byng was listed as a participant.

2024 CAN-SG anti-transgender event

The Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender (CAN-SG) is an anti-transgender front group that promotes restrictions on healthcare. According to program notes: “Richard will talk about how current care for 17-25 year olds could be changed to reflect evidence and professional standards of practice.”

References

Written evidence submitted by Professor Richard Byng [GRA1913] https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/18099/pdf/

Written submission from Dr Richard Byng, et al (HSC0091) -https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/103342/html/

  • Susan Bewley
  • Richard Byng
  • Damian Clifford
  • Katie Clyde
  • David Curtis
  • Lucy Griffin
  • Tessa Katz
  • Julie Maxwell
  • Margaret McCartney

Resources

University of Plymouth (plymouth.ac.uk)

Allied health professions are health care professions that provide a range of diagnostic, technical, therapeutic, and support services in connection with health care. 

References

Jecke, L., Zepf, F.D. Delivering transgender-specific knowledge and skills into health and allied health studies and training: a systematic review. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02195-8

Exploring Interactions Between Transgender, Gender-Diverse, and Nonbinary Individuals and Allied Health Professionals in Clinical Practice: A Scoping Review https://doi.org/10.1089/trgh.2022.0222

Admiral Rachel L. Levine, MD is an American pediatrician and government health official. Levine is the first out transgender four-star officer in the US uniformed services. Levine was appointed as Assistant Secretary for Health by the US Senate in 2021.

Background

Levine was born October 28, 1957 and grew up in Wakefield, Massachusetts. Both of Levine’s parents were lawyers. Levine has an older sibling.

After private school, Levine graduated from Harvard College, then Tulane University School of Medicine. Levine did a pediatrics residency and adolescent medicine postdoc at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, then took a position at Penn State College of Medicine as well as Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

Levine married Martha Peaslee Levine in 1988. They have two children. Levine transitioned in 2011, and they divorced in 2013.

Levine was appointed Pennsylvania Physician General in 2015 and Secretary of Health in 2017. In 2020 Levine was responsible for the commonwealth’s COVID response. In 2021, the Senate confirmed Levine as Assistant Secretary for Health following President Joe Biden’s nomination.

Among Levine’s first initiatives were addressing bullying, suicide, discriminatory policies, and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic as pressing issues among LGBTQ youth. Levine has criticized Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill and the push in some conservative states to investigate parents who provide gender-affirming care to their children.

Levine became a lightning rod for anti-transgender hatred from anti-trans lawmakers and media figures after taking office.

Support of gender affirming care for youth

Levine supports the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding trans and gender diverse youth. The AAP states that the gender affirming model of care is the current medical consensus.

Levine discussed this in a 2023 keynote at Yale University:

Levine described gender-affirming care — which includes puberty blockers, gender-affirming hormones and surgical procedures, among other interventions —  as “safe,” “effective” and “medically necessary.” 

Levine described how transgender and nonbinary youth are disproportionately burdened by mental health challenges. She noted that gender-affirming interventions are associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Given this, Levine said, gender-affirming care has been life-saving for thousands of young LGBTQI+ people across the country.

Zhang (2023)

References

Zhang, William ( FEB 07, 2023). Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel L. Levine discusses LGBTQI+ health at Yale Law School. Yale Daily News https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2023/02/07/assistant-secretary-for-health-rachel-l-levine-discusses-lgbtqi-health-at-yale-law-school/

Zezima, Katie (June 1, 2016). Meet Rachel Levine, one of the very few transgender public officials in America. The Washington Post [archive] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/meet-rachel-levine-one-of-the-very-few-transgender-public-officials-in-america/2016/06/01/cf6e2332-2415-11e6-8690-f14ca9de2972_story.html

Sullivan, Eileen (January 19, 2021). Biden’s pick for Health and Human Services role would be first transgender federal official confirmed by the Senate. The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/us/politics/rachel-levine-transgender-health-human-services.html

Weissert, Will (January 19, 2021). Biden picks transgender woman as assistant health secretary. AP News https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-pandemics-biden-cabinet-health-coronavirus-pandemic-4eee53439e9c2b4c27fcf4e7f572cb0e

Diamond, Dan (October 19, 2021). Rachel Levine, openly transgender health official, to be sworn in as four-star admiral in Public Health Service. Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/10/19/levine-transgender-four-star-admiral-public-health-service/

Hackney, Suzette (March 13, 2022). ‘Be true to yourself’: A message from the nation’s highest-ranking openly transgender official. USA Today https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/opinion/2022/03/13/rachel-levine-honoree-usa-today-women-of-the-year/6600134001/

Goodin-Smith, Oona (January 19, 2021). What to know about Rachel Levine, the history-making Pa. health official tapped for Biden administration. The Philadelphia Inquirer https://www.inquirer.com/news/rachel-levine-joe-biden-assistant-health-secretary-hhs-transgender-pennsylvania-20210119.html

Loveland, Barry (February 6, 2017). LGBT Oral History: Rachel Levine. (PDF). LGBT Center of Central PA History Project Dickinson College Archives & Special Collections. Carlisle, PA, USA. [archive] http://archives.dickinson.edu/sites/all/files/files_lgbt/LGBT-interview-transcription-Levine-Rachel-064.pdf

Resources

US Dept. of Health and Human Services (hhs.gov)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

Twitter (twitter.com)