Why Denying Gender-Affirming Care to Teens Could Be the One of Worst Mistake We’re Making as a Society

In recent years, gender-affirming care for teens has become a contentious topic, with misinformation and fear-based narratives clouding the conversation. As white women, navigating these complex issues can feel overwhelming. However, this is an issue that deserves our attention, empathy, and understanding. Gender-affirming care for teens isn’t just a political debate—it’s about the well-being and future of youth who are at risk of severe mental health challenges, including suicide. By engaging in thoughtful, informed discussions, we can play a role in supporting our transgender youth and fighting back against harmful misinformation.

What is Gender-Affirming Care?

Gender-affirming care encompasses a range of medical, psychological, and social services designed to help individuals align their gender identity with their physical appearance and expression. This includes mental health counseling, sometimes hormone therapy and puberty blockers, and rarely surgery for individuals under 18.

Puberty Blockers: A Safe, Decades-Old Treatment

Puberty blockers are a key aspect of gender-affirming care. These medications delay the physical changes associated with puberty, giving teens time to explore their gender identity without the pressure of irreversible changes. 

Puberty blockers are far from a new or unproven treatment. These medications have been used safely for decades to treat a variety of medical conditions in children, such as precocious puberty, where children experience early onset puberty. The FDA approved the use of puberty blockers in 1993, and their use in the treatment of transgender youth for gender-affirming care has been a logical extension of that medical practice.

Puberty blockers also offer a way for transgender teens to pause the irreversible effects of puberty, giving them more time to make informed decisions about their bodies without feeling rushed. Like many medications, if puberty blockers are stopped and no other medical intervention is taken, then the effects of the blockers cease and puberty continues. Which is why you may hear that puberty blockers are "reversible". 

Misinformation: The Enemy of Progress

The rise in public concern over gender affirming care for youth, has been fueled by misinformation. Many media outlets and public figures have sensationalized gender affirming care as a dangerous or radical intervention, ignoring the long beneficial history. So it’s our job as white women to educate ourselves, let me break down some common mis-conceptions: 

Myth #1: Gender-affirming care for youth is permanent and only involves irreversible procedures like genital surgery. This is far from the truth. Only a very small number of teens undergo surgery—only 56 teens out of a population of nearly 25 million underwent genital surgery between 2019 and 2021. The media’s focus on surgeries can skew public perception, leading to fear and misunderstanding about what gender-affirming care actually entails. The truth is gender affirming care is a holistic approach involving therapy/counseling, sometimes medication or hormone support and rarely surgery for teens.

Myth #2: Puberty blockers are harmful or unproven. In reality, these medications have been used safely for decades to treat other medical conditions, and they are FDA-approved for use in gender-affirming care. 

Myth #3: Gender affirming care confuses and mentally harms youth. In fact, gender-affirming care is associated with a 73% lower risk of suicide among transgender and non-binary youth. The study also found that gender-affirming care was associated with a 60% lower risk of moderate or severe depression, according to a study done by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Another crucial aspect of understanding the ongoing debate around gender-affirming care is also the growing recognition that its prohibition can be considered a form of child maltreatment. The American Academy of Pediatrics published an article in Pediatrics that frames the denial of gender-affirming care as potentially harmful to transgender youth's health and well-being. According to this article, restricting access to gender-affirming care—including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and counseling—can significantly increase the risk of significant and long term mental health issues.

Myth #4: Gender affirming care isn’t scientifically proven. Actually, the American Academy of Pediatrics underscores that gender-affirming care is a standard practice in the medical community, and every single major medical organization, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, The World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association, supports the provision of age-appropriate, gender-affirming care for transgender and non-binary people. And policies preventing access to gender-affirming care often fail to consider the scientific evidence supporting these treatments. 

The Harmful Effects of Misinformation

The harm of misinformation is not just theoretical—it has real-world consequences. When people are misinformed, they become less supportive of policies that protect transgender youth, which can lead to harmful legislative actions. For instance, laws restricting access to gender-affirming care have been introduced in several states, fueled by distorted portrayals of these medical interventions. This not only endangers the lives of transgender teens but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misinformation.

As white women, we need to reflect on how misinformation affects not only our views but also the broader society. Misinformation can perpetuate fear, fueling negative stereotypes about transgender individuals. It can create an environment where transgender youth are treated as if their identities are invalid or dangerous. The belief that transgender youth are making “irreversible” decisions without adequate consideration can lead to policies that deny them the care they need.

This harm extends beyond just the individual. Misinformation blocks progress in our society, preventing us from growing as a compassionate, inclusive community. The harm caused by these misconceptions is not only medical but also cultural. When we dismiss the lived experiences of transgender individuals—as J.K. Rowling recently did by claiming “trans kids do not exist”—we undermine their humanity and push them further into the margins. This behavior prevents society from having the open, empathetic conversations needed to foster change and understanding.

White women have a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to challenge harmful narratives and advocate for equality. Our privilege means that we can move through society without the constant struggle that transgender individuals face. By supporting gender-affirming care, we can help create a society that acknowledges the humanity and dignity of transgender youth.

We should care because the health and safety of our youth are at risk. Studies have shown that 68% of U.S. adults oppose providing puberty blockers to transgender youth. This statistic is troubling, especially considering the significant benefits these treatments offer to vulnerable teens. The fear surrounding gender-affirming care is largely based on misconceptions, not facts. If we, as white women, educate ourselves and others in our community, then we can push back against misinformation, support transgender youth, and advocate for inclusive policies that protect their right to live authentically. Gender-affirming care is not just a medical issue—it’s a human rights issue.

What Can We Do About It?

1.Educate Yourself and Others: One of the most powerful things we can do is to educate ourselves on the facts about gender-affirming care. Research from reputable organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the Human Rights Campaign, can provide accurate information about what gender-affirming care entails and the benefits it offers to transgender youth. Gender-affirming care includes mental health support and puberty blockers, not just surgeries.

2.Challenge Misinformation: When we hear myths or misinformation about gender-affirming care, we have a responsibility to speak up. Challenging harmful narratives can be uncomfortable, but it’s essential to create space for thoughtful, fact-based conversations. Avoiding these discussions only lets the misinformation spread unchecked.

3.Support Transgender Youth: One of the most impactful things we can do is to support transgender youth in our communities. Offer a listening ear, show empathy, and stand up for their rights to access the healthcare they need. The more we create safe spaces for transgender youth, the more likely they are to thrive.

4.Advocate for Compassionate Policies: Advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of transgender youth. Support initiatives that ensure transgender individuals have access to gender-affirming care without fear of discrimination. Reach out to local lawmakers, participate in advocacy groups, and use your voice to support inclusive policies that promote equality.

5.Listen to Personal Stories: As we’ve discussed, personal stories are transformative. Listening to the experiences of transgender youth and their families can help us understand the importance of gender-affirming care. By empathizing with their struggles, we can become better allies and advocates.

By taking these steps, we can help build a more inclusive, compassionate society, where everyone—transgender or not—can live free from fear and discrimination.

Stay curious and keep waking up!

-Jonelle

Citations:

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Gender-affirming care and the health of transgender youth. 

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Prohibition of Gender-Affirming Care as a Form of Child Maltreatment: Reframing the Discussion

Harvard School of Public Health (2024) Gender-affirming surgeries rarely performed on transgender youth.

Human Rights Campaign. (2023). Transgender health care.

American Medical Association. (2021). AMA reaffirms support for gender-affirming care. 

National Center for Transgender Equality. (2021). The consequences of restricting gender-affirming care.

The Trevor Project. (2020). The impact of gender-affirming care on mental health.