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The Endocrine Society and transgender people

by Andrea James Reviewed September 24, 2026 9 min read

The Endocrine Society is an American professional organization for endocrinologists.

They have published a number of research articles, legal briefs, and policies supporting transgender healthcare.

Background

The Endocrine Society was founded in 1916 as the Association for the Study of Internal Secretions and changed to its current name in 1952. It is based in Washington, DC and has reported having 18,000 members from over 120 countries.

They publish five academic journals:

  • Endocrinology (founded 1917)
  • The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (founded 1941)
  • Endocrine Reviews (founded 1980)
  • Journal of the Endocrine Society (founded 2017)
  • JCEM Case Reports (founded 2023)

Transgender research and advocacy

The centerpiece of their research supporting trans patients is their 2017 practice guideline. This publication was cosponsored by American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Society of Andrology, European Society for Pediatric Endocrinology, European Society of Endocrinology, Pediatric Endocrine Society, and World Professional Association for Transgender Health.

This document became a major focus of anti-transgender activists. On November 23, 2018, JCEM published a comment on the document by several key anti-trans activists:

They cite Lisa Littman’s “rapid-onset gender dysphoria” paper and anti-trans activist Kenneth Zucker among others.

In March 2022, Endocrine Society’s Chief Policy Officer told then-HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine that the organization formally planned to update the 2017 guideline.

The Endocrine Society has a dedicated Transgender Special Interest Group and a broader “Protection of Access to Gender-Affirming Care” cohort. The group led a 2023 effort that got the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates to pass a resolution opposing criminal penalties against patients, families, and clinicians involved in gender-affirming care.

Endocrine Society has submitted many amici curiae briefs in legal cases involving transgender healthcare. public accommodations for minors, healthcare for trans prisoners, and state-level care bans. They also submit comments to federal agencies and and public responses to anti-trans misinformation.

References

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (n.d.). FOIA production, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration v. HHS, No. 23-cv-00890 (1st interim response), including March 4, 2022 email from Mila Becker (Endocrine Society) to Rachel Levine (HHS). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/foia-fahca-23-cv-00890-1st-ir.pdf

Imbler, Sabrina (September 28, 2021,). For Transgender Youth, Stigma Is Just One Barrier to Health Care. New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/28/health/transgender-health-care.html

Anti-trans coverage

Singal, Jesse (May 29, 2026). Wait… Did The Endocrine Society Write That Letter Of Support? Singal-Minded https://jessesingal.substack.com/p/wait-did-the-endocrine-society-write

Abbruzzese, Evgenia; Byrne, Alex; Curlin, Farr; Gorin, Moti; Kaliebe, Kristopher
Laidlaw, Michael; McDeavitt, Kathleen; Sapir, Leor; Zhang, Yuan (November 19, 2025). Treatment for Gender Dysphoria: A Review of Evidence and Best Practices. HHS Office of Population Affairs https://opa.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/2025-11/gender-dysphoria-report.pdf

Staff report (November 19, 2025). HHS Releases Peer-Reviewed Report Discrediting Pediatric Sex-Rejecting Procedures. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-releases-peer-reviewed-report-discrediting-pediatric-sex-rejecting-procedures.html

Paul, Pamela (July 12, 2024). Why Is the U.S. Still Pretending We Know Gender-Affirming Works? New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/12/opinion/gender-affirming-care-cass-review.html

Staff report (July 11, 2024). WPATH Influence Undermines WHO’s Transgender Guidelines. SEGM https://segm.org/wpath-evidence-manipulation-risks-discrediting-WHO-transgender-guidelines

Pandolfo, Chris (June 9, 2024). American College of Pediatricians issues fiery statement condemning child gender transition. Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/health/american-college-pediatricians-issues-fiery-statement-condemning-child-gender-transition

Staff report (June 7, 2024). American College of Pediatricians calls to stop gender transition in children and “follow the science.” Evangelical Focus https://evangelicalfocus.com/life-tech/27230/american-college-of-pediatricians-calls-to-stop-gender-transition-in-children-and-follow-the-science

Klotz, Frieda (May 20, 2024). Pediatric Transgender Care and the Contentious Rise of SEGM. Undark https://undark.org/2024/05/20/pediatric-transgender-care-contentious-segm/

Ghorayshi, Azeen (May 13, 2024). Hilary Cass Says U.S. Doctors Are ‘Out of Date’ on Youth Gender Medicine. New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/13/health/hilary-cass-transgender-youth-puberty-blockers.html

Staff report (December 26, 2023). The World Health Organization Announces Transgender Guideline Plans. SEGM https://segm.org/world-health-organization-transgender-guidelines

Singal, Jesse (June 15, 2023). Do You Want Alex Joneses? Because That’s How You Get Alex Joneses. Singal-Minded https://jessesingal.substack.com/p/do-you-want-alex-joneses-because

Bazelon, Emily (March 17, 2023). The Battle Over Gender Therapy. New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/15/magazine/gender-therapy.html

Twohey, Meghan; Jewett, Christina (November 14, 2022). They Paused Puberty, but Is There a Cost? New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/14/health/puberty-blockers-transgender.html

Staff report (June 19, 2021). Endocrine Society Position on Gender Dysphoria Treatments Not Supported by Available Evidence. SEGM https://segm.org/endocrine_society_GD_position_rebuttal

Staff report (May 11, 2021). What Are Puberty Blockers? New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/11/well/family/what-are-puberty-blockers.html

Staff report (June 27, 2019). Criticism of Endocrine Society Guidelines Grows. American College of Pediatricians https://archive.acpeds.org/criticism-of-endocrine-society-guidelines-grows [archive]

Laidlaw MK, Van Meter QL, Hruz PW, Van Mol A, Malone WJ (epub November 23, 2018; March 2019). Letter to the Editor: “Endocrine Treatment of Gender-Dysphoric/Gender-Incongruent Persons: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline.” Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 104(3):686–687. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2018-01925

Selected publications

Staff report (September 17, 2026). Advocacy in Action. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/advocacy-in-action

Staff report (June 18, 2025). A Statement on the Supreme Court Decision. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2025/statement-on-the-supreme-court-decision

Staff report (May 29, 2025). Madeline Moe et al. v. Dave Yost et al. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/moe-v-yost

Staff report (April 11, 2025). Society Opposes Proposed Prohibition on Coverage of Evidence-Based Treatment of Gender Dysphoria. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2025/ehb-care-prohibition-letter

Staff report (February 25, 2025). State of Washington et al. v. Trump et al. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/state-of-washington-et-al-v-trump-et-al

Staff report (February 21, 2025). PFLAG v. Trump. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/pflag-v-trump

Staff report (September 3, 2024). United States of America v. Skrmetti. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/usa-v-skrmetti

Staff report (July 15, 2024). Endocrine Society Recommends Investing in Research on Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2024/sgmro-strategic-plan

Bell, Amanda; Davidge-Pitts, Caroline; Iwamoto, Sean; Rosenthal, Steve; Safer, Josh; Spratt, Daniel (May 30, 2024). Advocacy to Protect Access to Gender Affirming Care. Endocrine Society https://support.endocrine.org/advocacy/accomplishments-and-champions/access-to-gender-affirming-care

Staff report (May 1, 2024). Monroe v. Bowman. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/monroe-v-bowman

Staff report (December 29, 2023). Endocrine Society applauds Ohio governor veto of state ban on gender-affirming care for minors. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2023/endocrine-society-applauds-ohio-governor-veto-of-state-ban-on-gender-affirming-care-for-minors

Staff report (December 6, 2023). Fact Checker: Endocrine Society responds to misinformation from Republican presidential debate. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2023/fact-checker-endocrine-society-responds-to-misinformation-from-republican-presidential-debate

Staff report (August 11, 2023). Loe v. Texas. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/loe-v-texas

Staff report (August 10, 2023). Doe v. Thornbury. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/doe-v-thornbury

Staff report (August 10, 2023). L.W. et al v. Skremetti et al. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/lw-et-al-v-skremetti-et-al

Staff report (July 25, 2023). Poe v. Labrador. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/poe-v-labrador

Staff report (July 18, 2023). The Endocrine Society Calls on Congress to Reject Efforts to Ban Access to Gender-Affirming Care. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2023/opposing-efforts-to-ban-gac

Staff report (July 5, 2023). Koe v. Noggle. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/koe-v-noggle

Staff report (June 12, 2023). Poe v. Drummond. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/poe-v-drummond

Staff report (May 1, 2023). Dekker v. Weida. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/dekker-v-weida

Staff report (April 25, 2023). Doe v. Lapado. [sic] Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/doe-v-lapado

Staff report (April 3, 2023). BPJ v. West Virginia. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/wv-v-bpj

Staff report (March 13, 2023). Advancing Health Equity for Intersex Individuals. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2023/intersex-rfi

Staff report (January 26, 2023). Endorsement of DoD Modifications of Concerning DSM Inconsistencies. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2023/dodi-endorsement

Staff report (December 7, 2022). Fain v. Crouch. Endocrine Society

Staff report (December 6, 2022). Endocrine Society Provides Feedback on Research Opportunities in Gender-Affirming Care. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2022/sgmro-rfi-letter

Staff report (December 2, 2022). Response to Florida Rule Regarding Gender Affirming Care. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2022/response-to-fl-rule

Staff report (September 29, 2022). Endocrine Society Comments on Section 1557 of ACA. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2022/1557-comments

Staff report (August 3, 2022). A.C. v. Metropolitan School District of Martinsville. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/ac-v-metropolitan-school-district-of-martinsville

Staff report (July 1, 2022). Response to Florida Medicaid Policy. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2022/fl-medicaid-response

Staff report (June 23, 2022). Vasquez v. Iowa Department of Human Services. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/vasquez-v-iowa-department-of-human-services

Staff report (May 18, 2022). Eknes-Tucker v. Ivey. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/eknes-tucker-v-ivey

Staff report (April 4, 2022). Doe v. Abbott. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/doe-v-abbott

Staff report (January 25, 2022). Endocrine Society Comments on HHS Notice of Benefits Proposed Rule. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2022/comments-on-hhs-notice-of-benefits-proposed-rule

Staff report (January 19, 2022). Brandt v. Rutledge. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/brandt-v-rutledge

Staff report (December 3, 2021). Endocrine Society Letter to UT Southwestern. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2021/society-letter-to-utsw

Staff report (November 22, 2021). Response to NIH Strategic Plan to Advance Research on the Health and Well-Being of Sexual & Gender Minorities. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2021/sgrmo-response

Staff report (October 12, 2021). Soule v. CIAC. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/soule-v-ciac

Staff report (May 13, 2021). Equality Act Sign On Letter. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2021/equality-act-sign-on-letter

Staff report (January 4, 2021). Hecox v. Little. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/hecox-v-little

Staff report (December 16, 2020). Transgender Health. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/position-statements/transgender-health

Staff report (May 14, 2020). California v. Texas. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/california-v-texas

Staff report (January 23, 2020). Endocrine Society Letter to NIH Office of Sexual & Gender Minority Research. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2020/endocrine-society-letter-to-nih-office-of-sexual-and-gender-minority-research

Staff report (August 13, 2019). Endocrine Society Comments on Section 1557 Rule. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2019/endocrine-society-comments-on-section-1557-rule

Staff report (July 8, 2019). Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/harris-funeral-homes-v-eeoc

Staff report (June 30, 2019). 2019 Letters – January to June. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/society-letters/2019/2019-letters-january-to-june

Staff report (April 10, 2019). Edmo v Idaho Department of Corrections. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/edmo-v-idaho-department-of-corrections

Staff report (March 11, 2019). Parents for Privacy v Dallas School District. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/parents-for-privacy-v-dallas-school-district

Staff report (February 28, 2019). Adams v St. Johns County School Board. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/adams-v-st-johns-county-school-board

Staff report (January 9, 2019). Keohane v Florida Department of Corrections Secretary. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/keohane-v-florida-department-of-corrections-secretary

Staff report (October 29, 2018). Jane Doe v President of the United States. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/jane-doe-v-president-of-the-united-states

Staff report (September 4, 2018). Good v Iowa Department of Human Services. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/good-v-iowa-department-of-human-services

Staff report (July 26, 2018). Adams v St. Johns County School Board. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/adams-v-st-johns-county-school-board-feb

Staff report (July 13, 2018). State of Washington v President of the United States. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/state-of-washington-v-president-of-the-united-states

Staff report (April 4, 2018). Appleberry v Blue Springs School District Board of Education. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/appleberry-v-blue-springs-school-district-board-of-education

Staff report (January 23, 2018). Joel Doe v Boyertown Area School District and Pennsylvania Youth Congress Foundation. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/joel-doe-v-boyertown-area-school-district-and-pennsylvania-youth-congress-foundation

Hembree, W. C., Cohen-Kettenis, P. T., Gooren, L., Hannema, S. E., Meyer, W. J., Murad, M. H., Rosenthal, S. M., Safer, J. D., Tangpricha, V., & T’Sjoen, G. G. (2017). Endocrine Treatment of Gender-Dysphoric/Gender-Incongruent Persons: An Endocrine Society* Clinical Practice Guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 102(11), 3869–3903. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2017-01658

Staff report (March 2, 2017). Gloucester County School Board v Grimm. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/court-briefs/gloucester-county-school-board-v-grimm

Staff report (April 1, 2016). Central Institutional Review Boards. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/position-statements/central-institutional-review-boards

Staff report (June 1, 2006). Clinical Trial Registries. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/position-statements/clinical-trial-registries

Resources

The Endocrine Society (endocrine.org)

Endocrine News (endocrinenews.endocrine.org)

Oxford Academic (academic.oup.com)

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)

X/Twitter (x.com)

Facebook (facebook.com)

  • EndocrineSociety
  • original url: facebook.com/pages/The-Endocrine-Society/93758955863

Instagram (instagram.com)

LinkedIn (linkedin.com)

YouTube (youtube.com)

Bluesky (bsky.app)

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