The Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) promotes, encourages, and supports the highest standards of practice, research, education, and ethics in the study of human sexual function and dysfunction. As such, The SMSNA Board of Directors believes it is important to take a stand regarding recent statements by the State of Texas that equate gender-affirming care in youth with “child abuse”. The SMSNA agrees with and stands in solidarity with the United States Professional Association for Transgender Health (USPATH*) and its statement from February 24, 2022.
“The United States Professional Association for Transgender Health (USPATH) is strongly opposed to Gov. Greg Abbott and the State of Texas' intention to identify gender affirming care for trans and gender diverse youth as "child abuse", and to investigate these cases through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Ample evidence supports gender affirming interventions, including social transition, change of name and pronouns, and the use of medical interventions for trans and gender diverse youth who have been properly assessed for, and diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Furthermore, evidence shows that trans and gender diverse youth have improved mental health outcomes when they have the support of their family, while additional evidence shows that these youth experience discrimination and harms when they enter the foster system. Identifying these treatments and interventions as "child abuse" is not based on any evidence and will only bring about harm and disruption to these children and their families.”
Maddie Deutsch, MD, MPH Medical Director, UCSF Gender Affirming Health Program
Associate Professor of Clinical Family & Community Medicine University of California - San Francisco
President, US Professional Association for Transgender Health
*USPATH is an affiliate regional association of WPATH, an international organization that focuses on global issues in transgender health. To learn more, go to: https://wpath.org/uspath
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