They’re Asking the Wrong Questions About Gender Affirming Care
Back in May of 2025, The Department of Health and Human Services was supposed to report on a review of existing literature about gender affirming care. Instead they released a political document filled with disinformation, ignoring most of the literature and research that actually exists on the topic. Last week, they released an update, and finally revealed the names of the authors.
The document overlooks the research that does exist, and none of the authors listed have a proven track record of working with transgender patients - I’d be surprised if any of them had actually met an actual trans person. This report directly contradicts the guidance and expertise of every major medical and mental health organization and expert. If this report was accurate and backed by science, no one would have had a problem signing their name to the original report. Instead, this report serves as a piece of political propaganda for the Trump administration’s rigid anti-trans movement.
Trans people are at risk from a lack of care, from violence, and from state sponsored discrimination that refuses to recognize our existence. Trans people are hurt when the media repeats harmful talking points rather than challenge a government that excludes and targets us. Transgender people are not being hurt by the care that helps us live our best lives.
The regret rate for gender affirming surgeries at any age is below 1%.
The regret rate for having children is 7%.
The regret rate for knee replacements is 10%.
The regret rate for gender affirming care is one of the lowest medical regret rates you will find.
Along their path of ignoring actual science, the American Association of Pediatrics was fully ignored in the writing of this report. They released a statement in May, saying they were “deeply alarmed by the report.” The American Association of Pediatrics, one of many major medical organizations that understand the positive impacts of gender affirming care, said that the report “misrepresents the current medical consensus” and cites their policy “in inaccurate and misleading ways.” That is coming from an institution that is not hiding behind anonymity and bigotry. Their position remains as mine always has, politicians should not be making my medical decisions.
Here are some questions about transgender care - from an actual transgender person.
If gender affirming care is so risky, why is it supported by every major medical association?
Why is it fine when cisgender people receive this care, but it’s “unsafe” or needs more study when prescribed to transgender people?
Isn’t it unethical to conduct research that would require withholding treatment already known to alleviate suffering?
Why was this report being prioritized while the administration is defunding other research that benefits LGBTQ people’s health?
The report recommends “exploratory therapy” but is it actually “exploratory” if the therapy only recognizes sex assigned at birth?
Did anyone in HHS talk with transgender people, our families or providers, to get truthful, first hand accounts about the care they’re reporting on?
Like everyone else seeking medical care, I look to doctors, scientists, and medical professionals for the care that they provide. I go to named, well reputed institutions that have a history of providing care. Those institutions and every major medical journal know and understand the benefits of gender affirming care. It is only politicians and the people they can bribe who pretend there is reputable evidence against providing that care. And that is why I don’t take my medical advice from some random guy with a law degree and a trust fund who was able to charm his way into politics and hasn’t opened a biology book since his junior year of High School. I go to the experts, not the extortionists.
