Gender-affirming care has gained more visibility in recent years, sparking important conversations about transgender and nonbinary health and well-being. With increased visibility often comes misinformation, leading to misconceptions about what gender-affirming care truly entails. In this post, our goal is to debunk some of the common myths surrounding gender-affirming care and provide clarity, education, and further resources.

Whether you identify as trans yourself, or you’re the parent or family member of trans youth, we hope you find this information useful.

Have more questions or need support? Please call our offices at (818) 855-1105. 

MYTH: Gender-Affirming Care Is Only for Adults

REALITY: One of the most debated conversations right now is whether gender-affirming care for minors is appropriate. However, major medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the World Health Organization, support transgender adolescents gaining access to the healthcare they need. [GLAAD]

For youth, care typically focuses on social affirmation—such as using correct names and pronouns—and, when appropriate, puberty blockers, which are reversible treatments that delay the physical changes of puberty. This gives young people more time to explore their gender identity in a safe and supported environment. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, this approach is evidence-based and prioritizes the mental health and well-being of transgender and nonbinary youth. [Human Rights Campaign]

MYTH: Gender-Affirming Care Is All About Surgery

REALITY: While surgeries are one form of gender-affirming care, they are a single part of a broad spectrum of support available to trans individuals. For many, gender-affirming care can include therapy, hormone treatments, and social affirmation. [UCSF Transgender Care]

Something important to remember is this— surgery is not an absolutely necessary task in the journey of a transgender individual. Dr. Liang from John Hopkins Medical says this: “it’s very possible that surgery is not in the transition plan for someone in the gender affirmation process. There are several nonsurgical services that may help transgender patients achieve their transition goals.” [John Hopkins Medicine] 

At the core of gender-affirming care is the desire to support individuals to align their outward presentation with their internal sense of self, whatever that looks like for them. 

MYTH: Gender-Affirming Care Is Dangerous

REALITY: We are lucky to live in a time where gender-affirming care is available and safe; supported by major medical organizations worldwide, including the American Medical Association and the Endocrine Society. [The Trevor Project].

Research consistently shows that affirming care significantly reduces depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in transgender individuals. “Participants who had successfully undergone gender-affirming surgery, the longer [after] the surgery, the less likely they were to experience anxiety, depression, or suicidal behavior” [GraceMed]. 

On the other hand, denying care can lead to severe mental health challenges. Experts state that transition-related procedures are “medically necessary” for trans people, as they help to alleviate their gender dysphoria. In addition, they can also make queer folks less likely to be targets of violence and other forms of harassment. [GraceMed].

MYTH: Gender-Affirming Care Is a New Trend

REALITY: Gender-affirming care has existed in various forms for decades. Medical and social transitions have been part of transgender health care since at least the mid-20th century. What has changed is the growing societal awareness and acceptance, along with more research and better resources to support trans and nonbinary people. [“Transgender History” by Susan Stryker]

One thing that has changed is this: increased numbers of folks have chosen to embrace their gender identity and/or sexual orientation and live their lives openly as themselves. (Over 1.6 million Americans ages 13+ identify as transgender in the latest studies.) Yet despite the increase of anti-trans hate in the world, widespread education about gender identity has allowed transgender people to feel safer about coming out. 

Many kids who wait to discuss their gender identity with their parents for a long time are simply keeping themselves safe, appearing to “suddenly” come out, says Diane Ehrensaft, Director of Mental Health at University of California, San Francisco. “The best way to understand what kids are experiencing is to ask them questions and listen to their answers. In some ways, [kids] are far more advanced than I am, as somebody in my 70s, about how they live and understand gender. So if we want to really understand gender, turn to the experts—and that would be the youth themselves.” [Scientific American]

MYTH: Minors Are Being Pressured Into Gender-Affirming Care

REALITY: The reality is—decisions about gender-affirming care are made carefully and thoughtfully, often involving a team of professionals, the individual, and their family (when appropriate). Trans and nonbinary youth are not coerced, but rather supported in exploring their gender identity in a safe, affirming environment. 

Often, individuals must meet a variety of requirements before they can even be placed on a waitlist for surgery. [Aetna] Some of these requirements may include: 

• A letter of referral from a qualified mental health professional
• Persistent, well-documented gender dysphoria
• Capacity to make a fully informed decision and to consent to treatment
• For those less than 18 years of age, completion of one year of hormonal treatment
• Any medical or mental health concerns that are present must be reasonably well-controlled

Deanna Adkins, M.D., director of the Child and Adolescent Gender Care Clinic in Durham, North Carolina, recognizes the fact that “some children sense a difference between their assigned gender and their gender identity at an early age. By the time an adolescent or teenager comes to the clinic to talk about gender-affirming therapy, they’ve typically been thinking about it for a long time.” [Association of American Medical Colleagues]

The idea that this care is rushed or imposed is not grounded in reality and contradicts the rigorous guidelines followed by healthcare providers. [Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guidelines]

Why Addressing These Misconceptions Matters:

Misinformation about gender-affirming care can have real consequences, from perpetuating stigma to influencing harmful policies. (Such as the 669 anti-trans bills introduced in 2024 alone). By dispelling these myths, we can create a more informed, compassionate society that respects the rights and dignity of transgender and nonbinary individuals. 

We get it—parents are often the last to know about their child’s evolving gender identity. Coming out is a terrifying hypothetical for many transgender youth, who worry about being rejected, not being believed or understood, or getting kicked out for merely being who they are. Nearly 40% of transgender youth experience homelessness or housing instability. [The Trevor Project] 

If you or someone you know is seeking support regarding their gender identity, our team of gender-affirming therapists is here to help. We are dedicated to working with trans individuals, as well as their loved ones, to ensure everyone can thrive, while living their most authentic life.

A Note on Familial & Parental Support

Familial and peer support is often life-changing in the lives of trans folks, young and old. The “presence of affirming support networks is critical for facilitating and arranging gender affirming care for children and adolescents. Lack of such support can result in rejection, depression and suicide, homelessness, and other negative outcomes.” [Department of Health and Human Services]

In one study, it was found that a trans or non-binary person’s chosen name being used resulted in a 5.37-unit decrease in depressive symptoms, a 29% decrease in suicidal ideation, and a 56% decrease in suicidal behavior. [National Library of Medicine] 

According to the Journal of Adolescent Health, policies that promote the social transition process of gender affirmation among transgender youth (such as use of a chosen name or access to restrooms consistent with gender identity or presentation) will likely enhance safety and reduce physical and mental health complexities in transgender populations. [Source]

From Our Team of Experienced Therapists:

“Gender-affirming therapy gives people a safe place to explore all the parts of themselves that they might have felt unable to access previously. As a result, therapy allows people to grow in new ways and become a more authentic version of themselves. Most importantly, gender affirming therapy can be the first place where a client feels supported and respected for being their best self.” —Drew Hirschinger, MA, LMFT

“As a trans-affirming therapist I never have any agenda for how my clients proceed (or not) with gender affirming medical care. My goal is not to get people to transition, it’s to explore what they feel is right for their lives and their bodies, to address any other mental health concerns they may have, and to provide support through their personal process – whatever that looks like. For some clients, that might mean seeking gender affirming medical care such as hormones or surgery, but the goal of therapy is never to push them in any one direction.” —Kate Logan, AMFT

Additional Resources for Parents:

> Are you ready to learn more? Click here to check out our list of therapist-approved reads on topics of gender identity in the family. And click here to schedule an appointment with our team. (We provide support for parents and allies, too!)

> This article from the Human Right Campaign contains more questions & answers you might have around gender-affirming care for youth.

> Watch this important interview of the parents of trans children who traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate for equal access gender-affirming care.

You can also listen to this podcast episode with Paria Hassouri, mother of a trans child and a pediatric doctor at UCLA.

Thank you for reading the GenWell blog. You can read more about our team here. If you or a loved one is struggling on the journey with gender identity, we ask you to reach out via our contact form or call our office at (818) 855-1105. We are fully committed to supporting your Gender Wellness.

Take good care,

—The Gender Wellness of Los Angeles Team