August 2024 WPATH President’s letter                                                     21 August 2024

Dear WPATH Members and Conference Attendees

Though it has not been an easy year in the world or in our community, it feels as though momentum is changing. Perhaps the arc of the moral universe is again bending in the direction of justice?

Globally, we are aware of reports of anti-trans and anti-provider attacks and threats, condemning these when we become aware. The export of anti-trans sentiment, thanks largely to the Cass Report and conservative legislation in countries around the world have no doubt contributed to the uphill road we face.

In the US, given its influence globally, I had hoped to get trans issues further into the national spotlight. Though I have had recent communications with a number of national media outlets, the US Presidential election has and will continue to dominate the news cycle through the end of my presidency next month. The same has occurred with opinion pieces that have been placed, with suppressed enthusiasm largely due to hubbub surrounding the notorious “Cass Report” and its politically-originated conclusions. We have also spent considerable time on defense, issuing statements against various attacks including the much-ado-about-nothing ‘WPATH files’ and the unfounded ‘suppressed evidence’ report in regard to our amiable work with Johns Hopkins during development of the SOC 8. The recent non-statement by several members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) feels like a final act of desperation. Those who know this population---basically all relevant scientific medical organizations in the US---remain separate but philosophically united in continuing to endorse gender affirming care. No doubt there will be some mild restructuring or clinical recommendation changes going forward but these should remain supportive of trans care if the evidence is even remotely adhered to. Evidence is evidence.

Besides the ongoing legal challenges to anti-trans legislation, one significant opportunity I see is with the recent Paris Olympics and the story regarding Olympic athletes Imane Khelif (Algeria) and Lin Yu-ting (Taiwan). Both won gold medals as boxers in the women’s category.  Both were disparaged as being ‘men’ or ‘transgender’ despite female assignment at birth, raised as female, the usual. Both stood their ground and were proudly cheered by their host nations as audience favorites. Their stories give us an opportunity to point out the challenges the IOC has had for decades in sex determination, guided not simply by chromosomes or any other measure. Intersex persons (genital diversity) have always been my most academic approach as to how best to explain gender diversity to the masses. I remain active in getting something of consequence published. Stay tuned.

For the upcoming WPATH Symposium, I am thrilled about the opportunity for all of us. I have personally felt more unity in the past 2 years among WPATH members as we recognize a common foe. I see past challenges as understandable backlash to years of progress. That said, the Lisbon meeting will be another step on the road back with a record number of scientific submissions and more than 1,000 attendees, as of this writing. Please see below for important conference related reminders.

I am particularly excited about the restructuring of the presentation format with the surgeon’s-only program now limited to one day with opportunity for others to join on the 2^nd day. For the remainder of the symposium, we have encouraged all of us to challenge one another by attendance outside of our own specialty. We need to learn from one another as never before in truly attaining breadth of knowledge in true multi-disciplinary spirit. The plenary sessions will be regularly spaced with vibrancy evident. We know our patients and families as no one else does. Let’s try to view challenges as opportunities to explain. Science will guide our explanations and Lisbon will be reflected up as historic. Am very much looking forward to our time together in Portugal!

Sincerely,

Marci L. Bowers, MD

WPATH President

Important Reminders for Lisbon Symposium Attendees

A more detailed “Know Before You Go” will be sent to all registered attendees as we get closer to the symposium start date.

• There will no onsite registration for the conference, this policy has been in place since our conference in Montreal 2022.
• Registration closes today, Wednesday, August 21, for the live program in Lisbon – due to robust attendance and venue capabilities.
• Virtual registration remains open.
• Photo ID will be required to pick up your badge.
• Registration will open at 7:00am on Wednesday, September 25.
• Presenters – August 25 is your deadline to submit your session materials.
• Live Posters will now be presented in the session rooms on Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29 from 7:00am – 8:00am – Don’t forget to attend, topics for each room and date will be noted onsite and in the conference app.
• Opening Session will begin on Thursday, September 27 at 6:00pm.
• Opening Reception will include finger foods and 2 drink tickets per registered attendee.
• Each conference day will include 2 coffee breaks with small bites and lunch buffet for registered attendees. Breakfast is included in your room rate for those staying at the conference hotel, please use the hotel restaurant for breakfast.
• Translation at Conference - We are pleased to let you know that we have contracted with Wordly, which provides AI Simultaneous Translation into audio and captions for dozens of languages, for all attendees participating in the conference who need this service. Remember to bring your ear buds/earphones/headphones with you to the sessions to hear your translations on your phone/tablet/computer.
• WPATH Members-Only Business Meeting will be held on Monday, September 30 from 7:00am – 8:00am. We will try and get to as many people as possible during the session, however, we ask that you submit any questions/concerns/compliments via this form by Sunday, September 15. We will also be using the conference app for live Q&A during the session.
• Final Night Event will be held from 7:30pm – 10:30pm on Sunday, September 29; heavy finger foods and 2 drink tickets per registered attendee. The theme is Renaissance  An evening of costumes, color, and creative interpretation. (Costumes, of course, are optional).