WPATH Summer 2023 Presidential Update from Dr. Marci Bowers

August 1,2023

Having passed from an uneasy month of pride into the dog days of summer, our fight against anti trans healthcare legislation continues. Although federal judges (including 2 Trump appointees) have struck down adolescent gender care restrictions in 4 US states (AR-FL-KY-IN), Tennessee’s ban was allowed. In addition, anti-treatment bills and anti-athletic bills are still simmering at the state level. Many of us privately fear that if elections go poorly in 2024 here in the US, that a national ban on adolescent care could eventually result. I am personally motivated by this spectre, unlikely as such a passage seems to me. Speculation also remains as to what might happen should, as many predict, gender affirming care reaches the Supreme Court.

Globally, mischaracterizations of adolescent gender protocol changes In Europe have been used to influence state lawmakers in the US. Conversely, Ireland announced in April that it will teach gender diversity throughout Irish public schools (Irish Times, 22 April 2023). Gender services access has also been expanded in Spain, Portugal, France and India. In fact, India will now pay for surgical services for its many Hidra as part of its national health service. Plans are developing within India to train and teach gender affirming care throughout their national provider network. Sweden and the UK, although further restricting access to gender care, have enrolled participants in compulsory research protocols that, as many predict, will confirm efficacy similar to that already established globally in adult populations. It is also hoped that the UK’s regionalized approach to gender care will eventually result in shorter waitlists.

Developments at the US federal level are encouraging in that individual rights and equal access arguments in the face of prevailing evidence have been persuasive. So too, public arguments, opinion pieces and sharing of personal stories have resonated with the media and seem audible as federal judges condemn measure after measure. “Trans identities are real,” stated US District judge Robert Hinkle in his lengthy opinion denouncing the proposed Florida restrictions.

Interviews with MSNBC, BBC, NBC, Reuters and others, just in the past month, seem to have been productive and may help to regain the hijacked narrative of trans care. WPATH Past-president, Dr. Eli Coleman, wrote an effective opinion piece for the Dallas Morning News which can be read here. While in Washington, DC last Sunday, I  appeared live on CBS’ Face the Nation, a first. Prior to my interview, former NJ Governor Chris Christie supported my arguments in stating his position that gender affirming care should be left to families and doctors. My discussion with Margaret Brennan has been applauded and can be viewed here.

Although the ACLU, NCLR, other organizations and parents continue to pursue litigation against anti-treatment bills, public stories of anguish from patients, parents and providers add compelling correlation to these arguments. Medical professionals within WPATH must continue to correct misinformation when it is presented by skeptics. Cis and LGB allies also need factual information, particularly as regards:

1. The validity of trans identities
2. The relative certainty of gendered choices
3. The rarity of detransition/retransition/care cessation as compared to other medical treatments and how these instances represent case reports, not medical policy directives
4. The efficacy of gender affirming surgery
5. Why puberty blockers add an extra measure of certainty and safety to gender affirming care
6. Highlight the hypocrisy of banning healthcare, LGBT books and drag shows while gun violence in the US surpasses motor vehicle accidents as the single leading cause of death among adolescents.

The excitement is building as we look forward to a successful and productive USPATH 2023 Scientific Symposium in Westminster,  Colorado from November 1-5, click here to register and take advantage of the Early Bird rates. Also on the horizon is the next WPATH symposium, which will take place in Lisbon, Portugal. Details and dates will be announced shortly.

Be well and be strong, but always with kindness,
Marci

Marci L Bowers, MD