The American Psychological Association (APA) is stepping up its public support for essential transgender health care while firmly opposing state legislation that seeks to restrict and outlaw it.
The APA’s policy statement comes at a crucial moment as Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old nonbinary and transgender student who died last month after a battle in the school bathroom, is mourned. A record number of bills have been proposed and passed in state parliaments, including the state of Oklahoma, which forbid access to essential healthcare for transgender people, correct nouns and identity papers, and access to college athletics.
The APA is the most important scientific and professional body in the US for psychology. The organization’s goal is to “promote the development, communication, and application of psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives.” The APA’s strong statement includes “unobstructed access to healthcare and evidence-based medical treatment for transgender, gender-diverse, and nonbinary children, adolescents, and adults,” noting “recognition of gender diversity as a part of normal human diversity as well as recognition of limits in the current state of scientific knowledge.”
Included in the measures are:
- Opposing state restrictions on the provision of gender-affirming healthcare and making human rights, social justice, and equitable access to healthcare top priorities.
- Gender-based bias and equitable health insurance.
- Policies that place a high value on transgender, gender nonbinary, and intersex people’s well-being and independence.
- Considering the aspects of an individual’s lived experiences and providing services that are inclusive of all cultural, ethnic, social, religious, and gender backgrounds, and highlighting the significance of emotional and health care practiced from an integrative perspective.
- Promoting the beneficial effects of its mental health outcomes and promoting access to comprehensive, gender-affirming care for children, adolescents, and adults.
- Demanding equal comprehensive protection for both medical and mental health care.
The APA even “affirms the crucial role and constitutional rights of parents and caregivers in taking steps to ensure the well-being of children and adolescents while respecting their expressed gender identity.”
“This plan reflects our commitment to promoting social justice and equity in health care,” according to APA President Cynthia de las Fuentes, Ph.D. “We believe that access to evidence-based healthcare is a basic right for everyone,” de las Fuentes.
De las Fuentes continued, “APA also affirms the important role and constitutional right of parents and caregivers to ensure the well-being of children and adolescents while respecting their expressed gender identity, including being involved in health care decision-making and supporting developmentally appropriate child self-advocacy,” de las Fuentes continued.
It sends a clear message that state restrictions on gender-affirming care reject the extensive system of medical and psychological studies supporting the beneficial effects of such treatments on improving overall well-being for transgender, gender diverse, and nonbinary individuals throughout their lives.
Transgender health care is supported by every major health association and international authority, regardless of individual ages and specialized specialties. Read comments from more than 30 organizations around.
