Trudy Bekkering is a Belgian researcher who has published with anti-trans activist Patrik Vankrunkelsven.
Background
Geertruida “Trudy” E. Bekkering earned a doctorate from VU University Medical Center in 2004.
Bekkering is a staff member at Catholic University KU Leuven. Bekkering is active in research that focuses on guideline development, systematic reviews, and shared decision-making. Bekkering is also the director of Cochrane Belgium and since 2008 has served as a methodological expert at the Belgian Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBAM). Bekkering operates the entity BeSyRe Bekkering Systematic Reviews based in Geel.
2025 US HHS report comments
Bekkering and Patrik Vankrunkelsven commented on the Trump Administration’s 2025 US HHS report attacking gender affirming care. They noted: “The review used robust methods. […] We have no major remarks on the study design, nor on the conclusions.”
References
Gaffney, Theresa; Merelli, Annalisa (November 19, 2025). HHS names authors and releases peer review comments for gender dysphoria report: Original study of gender-affirming care was criticized for concealing contributors’ conflicts. Stat News https://www.statnews.com/2025/11/19/hhs-gender-affirming-care-report-authors-named/
Coverage in anti-trans press
Sanchez, Darlene McCormick (November 19, 2025). Studies Back Government on Childhood Gender Dysphoria: Peer reviews of a federal analysis citing the significant risks of medical interventions were mostly positive. The Epoch Times https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/studies-back-government-on-childhood-gender-dysphoria-5946713
Anthony, Abigail (November 20, 2025). ‘Gender-Affirming Care’ Proponents Had a Chance to Pick Apart a Critical HHS Report. They Didn’t Have Much to Say. National Review https://www.nationalreview.com/news/gender-affirming-care-proponents-had-a-chance-to-pick-apart-a-critical-hhs-report-they-didnt-have-much-to-say/amp/
Parks, Kristine (November 19, 2025). HHS youth gender care report authors defend findings amid backlash from medical organizations, caution risks. Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/media/hhs-youth-gender-care-report-authors-defend-findings-amid-backlash-from-medical-organizations-caution-risks
Selected writing by Bekkering
Bekkering, Trudy; Vankrunkelsven, Patrik (October 3, 2025). [Conclusions of peer review, summary of Chapter 5, and evaluation using PRIOR]. In Supplement to Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices Peer Reviews and Replies, pp. 40-51. https://opa.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/2025-11/gender-dysphoria-report-supplement.pdf
Resources
KU Leuven (kuleuven.be)
- Trudy Bekkering
- https://gbiomed.kuleuven.be/english/research/50000687/50000695/research-group-shared-decision-making/team-members/00052098
Cochrane (cochrane.org)
- Geertruida Bekkering
- cochrane.org/doi-form/3DD94B6482E26AA20164DA2534523BD6
LinkedIn (linkedin.com)