Scientific bodies that support transgender people

Summary

Extended list

The following is a non-exhaustive list of scientific bodies that support transgender people.

1. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry¹
   

   Gender-affirming care is not child abuse. Variations in gender expression are not pathological; rather, they represent normal dimensions of human development²

2. American Academy of Dermatology
   Founded in 1938 with more than 20,500 physicians worldwide³.
   • Recognizes that transgender and gender diverse individuals can benefit greatly from medical and surgical gender-affirming treatments.
   • Supports evidence-based coverage of all gender-affirming therapy and procedures which help the mental and physical well-being of gender diverse individuals.
   • Recognizes that gender-affirming procedures and treatments are not “cosmetic” or “elective” or for the mere convenience of the patient. These procedures are not optional in any meaningful sense, but are understood to be medically necessary for the health and well-being of the individual.
   • Advocates for removal of barriers to care and supports both public and private health insurance coverage of gender transition treatment.
3. American Academy of Family Physicians
   Founded in 1947, represents 136,700 physicians and medical students across the U.S.⁴

   We recognize health as a basic human right for every person, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. For gender-diverse individuals, including children and adolescents, this means access to gender-affirming care that is part of comprehensive primary care.

4. American Academy of Nursing
   The Academy’s more than 2,800 fellows are nursing’s most accomplished leaders in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia⁵.

   The American Academy of Nursing supports initiatives to address the health needs of transgender individuals (TI) and supports policy initiatives that reduce the heath care barriers that most TI encounter.

   The AAN opposed the repeal of transgender-specific protections under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act noting: “The proposed rule would eliminate the definition of sex discrimination from the Section 1557 regulation, inviting insurers to deny treatment to transgender and gender nonconforming patients, including the denial of treatments such as hormone therapy, counseling and surgery that are essential to transgender patients, as they see fit. … Since the implementation of Section 1557, 18 states have implemented affirmative coverage protocols in their respective Medicaid programs to ensure coverage of medically necessary transition-related care. These coverage improvements and any future progress will be in jeopardy if this rule is finalized as proposed.”

5. American Academy of Pediatrics
   67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists⁶
   • The AAP opposed the repeal of transgender-specific protections under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.
   • The AAP recommends that youth who identify as transgender and gender diverse have access to comprehensive, gender-affirming, and developmentally appropriate health care.

6. American Academy of Physician Assistants
   Founded in 1968, the American Academy of Physician Assistants is the national professional society for PAs. It represents a profession of more than 140,000 PAs across all medical and surgical specialties in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and the uniformed services.⁷

   • Supports public and private health insurance coverage for treatment of gender dysphoria when medically necessary.
   • Joined an amicus brief in Fulcher v. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, which challenged the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ refusal to engage in rulemaking to reconsider its ban on providing transgender-related surgery to veterans.
   • Opposes discrimination in health care and insurance coverage based on an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

7. American College Health Association
   ACHA represents over 1,100 institutions of higher education, representing the collective health and wellness needs of 10 million college students.⁸

   ACHA opposes any legislation, both state or federal, that would restrict or limit access to gender-related medically necessary services for transgender youth and adults.

8. American College of Nurse-Midwives
   The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is the professional association that represents certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States.⁹

   Their position is that midwives should¹⁰:

   • Respect transgender and gender non-binary (TGNB) people including names and pronouns.
   • Understand TGNB identity as a normal human variation rather than pathology.
   • Provide or identify appropriate referral for primary care including gender-affirming hormone therapy
   • Advocate for, and work to create welcoming and inclusive health care settings for TGNB people (eg, gender-neutral bathrooms and gender inclusive forms, signage, education materials, and electronic health records.)

9. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
   The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is the nation’s leading group of professionals providing health care for women.¹¹

   The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, therefore, urges public and private health insurance plans to cover the treatment of gender identity disorder.

10. American College of Physicians
    The American College of Physicians recommends that public and private health benefit plans include comprehensive transgender health care services and provide all covered services to transgender persons as they would all other beneficiaries¹².

11. American Counseling Association
    Founded in 1952, ACA is the world’s largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings¹³.

    They note that counseling transgender clients should include “affirm[ing] transgender mental and medical health care (e.g., hormone therapies, sexual reassignment surgery, safe and trans-positive general medical services) through the entire lifespan”¹³.

12. American Heart Association
    The AHA opposed the repeal of transgender-specific protections under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act¹⁴.
13. American Medical Association
    The American Medical Association is the largest association of physicians and medical students in the United States and shows both the medical effectiveness and necessity of “mental health care, hormone therapy, and sex reassignment surgery” in treating gender dysphoria. The AMA has resolved “[t]hat our American Medical Association support public and private health insurance coverage for treatment of gender identity disorder as recommended by the patient’s physician.”¹⁵
14. American Medical Student Association
    

    Health care for transgender people should be individualized, holistic, and comprehensive – including, but not limited to surgical treatment– and transgender persons in the military should be allowed to openly undergo gender transition and be eligible for the equitable benefits and rights afforded to cisgendered service personnel, including health care.”¹⁶

15. American Nurses Association
    The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation’s 4 million registered nurses. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all. Founded in 1896, and with members in all 50 states and U.S. territories, ANA is the strongest voice for the profession.¹⁷

    • The ANA opposed the repeal of transgender-specific protections under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act
    • “ANA is committed to the elimination of health disparities and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or expression within health care.”
    • ANA joined an amicus brief in Fulcher v. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, which challenged the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ refusal to engage in rulemaking to reconsider its ban on providing transgender-related surgery to veterans.

16. American Osteopathic Association
    The American Osteopathic Association represents more than 137,000 osteopathic physicians and medical students, promotes public health and serves as the primary certifying body for DOs.¹⁸

    The American Osteopathic Association supports the provision of adequate and medically necessary treatment for transgender and gender-variant people and opposes discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

17. American Psychiatric Association
    The American Psychiatric Association is the world’s largest psychiatric organization and publisher of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual¹⁹.

    Significant and long-standing medical and psychiatric literature exists that demonstrates clear benefits of medical and surgical interventions to assist gender variant individuals seeking transition. … Access to medical care (both medical and surgical) positively impacts the mental health of transgender and gender variant individuals,” and states the following:

    1. Recognizes that appropriately evaluated transgender and gender variant individuals can benefit greatly from medical and surgical gender transition treatments.
    2. Advocates for removal of barriers to care and supports both public and private health insurance coverage for gender transition treatment.
    3. Opposes categorical exclusions of coverage for such medically necessary treatment when prescribed by a physician.
    4. Supports evidence-based coverage of all gender-affirming procedures which would help the mental well-being of gender diverse individuals.

18. American Psychological Association
    The American Psychological Association is the largest association of psychologists worldwide²⁰.

    • The APA recognizes the efficacy, benefit and medical necessity of gender transition treatments for appropriately evaluated individuals and calls upon public and private insurers to cover these medically necessary treatments;
    • The APA opposed the repeal of transgender-specific protections under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.

19. American Public Health Association
    The American Public Health Association is the nation’s leading public health organization with 25,000 members and works to advance the health of all people and all communities.²¹

    APHA:

    • Urges Congress and state legislatures to enact legislation to protect the rights, legal benefits, and access to services of people of all gender identities and expressions.
    • Urges public and private workplaces to institute nondiscriminatory policies and practices inclusive of transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
    • Encourages public health and health care practices that are inclusive of transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
    • Encourages public and private entities to adopt policies and practices inclusive of transgender and gender-nonconforming people in different settings and across all sectors.

20. American Society of Plastic Surgeons
    Representing more than 7,000 Member Surgeons, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery²².

    Augmentation procedures are necessary, and should be included as a reimbursable service.

21. Endocrine Society
    Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest, largest, and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology²³.

    • There is a durable biological underpinning to gender identity that should be considered in policy determinations.
    • Medical intervention for transgender youth and adults (including puberty suppression, hormone therapy and medically indicated surgery) is effective, relatively safe (when appropriately monitored), and has been established as the standard of care. Federal and private insurers should cover such interventions as prescribed by a physician as well as the appropriate medical screenings that are recommended for all body tissues that a person may have.

22. Federation of Pediatric Organizations
    The Federation of Pediatric Organizations (FOPO) is an umbrella organization made up of the leadership of the Academic Pediatric Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Board of Pediatrics, the American Pediatric Society, the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs, the Association of Pediatric Program Directors, and the Society for Pediatric Research²⁴.

    We stand with pediatricians who partner with families every day to make the best possible decision for each individual child based on available research and evidence pertinent to that child’s care. Transgender and gender diverse children and youth deserve to lead safe, healthy lives in environments that allow them to be their authentic selves. That can only happen if physicians are allowed to treat these children in the same manner, and with the same respect, that we expect them to treat every other child. Our mission to advance child health will succeed only if we work to improve health outcomes for all children.

23. GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality
    GLMA is a national organization committed to ensuring health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and all sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, and equality for LGBTQ/SGM health professionals in their work and learning environments²⁵.

    Therapeutic treatment, including hormone therapy, mental health therapy and gender affirming surgeries, are medically necessary for the treatment of gender dysphoria. These gender-affirming medical and surgical treatments should be covered by all public and private insurance plans

24. National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health
    The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health’s (NPWH) mission is to ensure the provision of quality primary and specialty healthcare to women of all ages by women’s-health and women’s-health-focused nurse practitioners²⁶.

    NPWH encourages all NPs who provide sexual and reproductive healthcare to seek out learning opportunities to improve their ability to provide evidence-based, culturally competent care for transgender and GNC individuals. NPWH supports the role of NPs in providing gender-affirming hormone therapy and pre- and post-gender-affirming surgery care for individuals who desire such treatment.

25. *> *National Association of Social Workers**
    Founded in 1955, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with more than 120,000 members²⁷.

    NASW supports the rights of all individuals to receive health insurance and other health coverage without discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and specifically without exclusion of services related to transgender or transsexual transition (or sex change), to receive medical and mental health services through their primary care physician and the appropriate referrals to medical specialists, which may include hormone replacement therapy, surgical interventions, prosthetic devices, and other medical procedures.

26. National Commission on Correctional Health Care
    The mission of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care is to improve the quality of health care in jails, prisons and juvenile confinement facilities²⁸.

    “Because jails, prisons, and juvenile confinement facilities have a responsibility to ensure the physical and mental health and well-being of inmates in their custody, correctional health staff should manage transgender patients in a manner that respects their biomedical and psychological needs. The National Commission on Correctional Health Care recommends that the following principles guide correctional health professionals in addressing the needs of transgender patients:

    1. Because transgender patients may be under different stages of care prior to incarceration, there should be no blanket administrative or other policies that restrict specific medical treatments. Policies that make treatments available only to those who received them prior to incarceration or that limit transition and/or maintenance are inappropriate and out of step with medical standards and should be avoided.
    2. Accepted treatments for gender dysphoria should be made available to people with gender dysphoria. Providing mental health care, while necessary, is not sufficient. …
    3. When determined to be medically necessary for a particular patient, hormone therapy should be initiated and regular laboratory monitoring should be conducted according to community medical standards.
    4. Sex reassignment surgery should be considered on a case-by-case basis and provided when determined to be medically necessary for a patient.”

27. Pediatric Endocrine Society
    The Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES) is the leading professional society for this specialty in the United States²⁹.

    “Medical intervention for transgender youth and adults (including puberty suppression, hormone therapy and medically indicated surgery) is effective, relatively safe (when appropriately monitored), and has been established as the standard of care. Federal and private insurers should cover such interventions as prescribed by a physician as well as the appropriate medical screenings that are recommended for all body tissues that a person may have.

28. Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
    Founded in 1968, the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) is a multidisciplinary organization committed to improving the physical and psychosocial health and well-being of all adolescents through advocacy, clinical care, health promotion, health service delivery, professional development and research³⁰.

    • SAHM opposed the repeal of transgender-specific protections under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, noting “The proposal would also eliminate the provision that prohibits a health plan from categorically or automatically excluding or limiting coverage for health services related to gender transition”.

29. World Medical Association
    The World Medical Association (WMA) is an international organization representing physicians. The organization was created to ensure the independence of physicians, and to work for the highest possible standards of ethical behavior and care by physicians, at all times. Membership consists of 114 National Medical Associations³¹.

    The WMA recommends, among other things, the following:

    1. “The WMA emphasises that everyone has the right to determine one’s own gender and recognises the diversity of possibilities in this respect. The WMA calls for physicians to uphold each individual’s right to self-identification with regards to gender.
    2. The WMA asserts that gender incongruence is not in itself a mental disorder; however it can lead to discomfort or distress, which is referred to as gender dysphoria (DSM-5).
    3. The WMA affirms that, in general, any health-related procedure or treatment related to an individual’s transgender status, e.g. surgical interventions, hormone therapy or psychotherapy, requires the freely given informed and explicit consent of the patient.
    4. The WMA urges that every effort be made to make individualised, multi-professional, interdisciplinary and affordable transgender healthcare (including speech therapy, hormonal treatment, surgical interventions and mental healthcare) available to all people who experience gender incongruence in order to reduce or to prevent pronounced gender dysphoria.”

30. World Professional Association for Transgender Health
    The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is an international, interdisciplinary, professional association devoted to the understanding and treatment of individuals with Gender Dysphoria (GD). Founded in 1979, and currently with over 1500 medical, mental health, social scientist, and legal professional members, all of whom are engaged in clinical practice and/or research that affects the lives of transgender and transsexual people, WPATH is the oldest professional association in the world that continuously has been concerned with this clinical specialty³².

    The WPATH Board of Directors urges health insurance carriers and healthcare providers in the United States to eliminate transgender or transsexual exclusions from their policy documents and medical guidelines, and to provide coverage for transgender patients; also to include in their policy documents and medical guidelines the medically prescribed sex reassignment or gender affirming/confirming services necessary for subscribers’ treatment and well-being; and to ensure that ongoing healthcare, both routine and specialized, is readily accessible and affordable to all their subscribers on an equal basis.

References

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