News and Events => Opinions & Editorials => Topic started by: Shana A on August 22, 2012, 10:53:16 AM Return to Full Version
Title: The American Psychiatric Association Issues Historic Position Statements on Tran
Post by: Shana A on August 22, 2012, 10:53:16 AM
Post by: Shana A on August 22, 2012, 10:53:16 AM
The American Psychiatric Association Issues Historic Position Statements on Trans Issues
August 20, 2012
Kelley Winters, Ph.D.
http://gidreform.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/the-american-psychiatric-association-issues-historic-position-statements-on-trans-issues/ (http://gidreform.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/the-american-psychiatric-association-issues-historic-position-statements-on-trans-issues/)
On May 18, 2009, about 150 trans community members and allies gathered outside the Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in San Francisco to protest diagnostic policies that psychopathologize gender diversity. Bull horn in hand, I and others called upon the APA leadership to issue three public position statements in support of the dignity and health of trans and gender variant people:
That gender identity and expression which differ from assigned birth sex do not, in themselves, constitute mental disorder or impairment in judgment or competence.
That hormonal and/or surgical transition treatment, for those who need them, is medically necessary and should be covered by insurance and health care policies.
That the APA opposes discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression and supports legal recognition of all people according to their gender identity and expression.
[...]
The response from APA officials was silence– three years of it.
Then last week, on August 16, the APA announced two of these position statements, authored by Drs. Jack Drescher and Ellen Haller and approved by votes of the Assembly and Board of Trustees. The first acknowledged the efficacy and medical necessity of hormonal and/or surgical transition treatment and the barriers to accessing this care faced by those who need it. Similar transition care policy statements were issued in 2008 by the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).
August 20, 2012
Kelley Winters, Ph.D.
http://gidreform.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/the-american-psychiatric-association-issues-historic-position-statements-on-trans-issues/ (http://gidreform.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/the-american-psychiatric-association-issues-historic-position-statements-on-trans-issues/)
On May 18, 2009, about 150 trans community members and allies gathered outside the Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in San Francisco to protest diagnostic policies that psychopathologize gender diversity. Bull horn in hand, I and others called upon the APA leadership to issue three public position statements in support of the dignity and health of trans and gender variant people:
That gender identity and expression which differ from assigned birth sex do not, in themselves, constitute mental disorder or impairment in judgment or competence.
That hormonal and/or surgical transition treatment, for those who need them, is medically necessary and should be covered by insurance and health care policies.
That the APA opposes discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression and supports legal recognition of all people according to their gender identity and expression.
[...]
The response from APA officials was silence– three years of it.
Then last week, on August 16, the APA announced two of these position statements, authored by Drs. Jack Drescher and Ellen Haller and approved by votes of the Assembly and Board of Trustees. The first acknowledged the efficacy and medical necessity of hormonal and/or surgical transition treatment and the barriers to accessing this care faced by those who need it. Similar transition care policy statements were issued in 2008 by the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).
Title: Re: The American Psychiatric Association Issues Historic Position Statements on Tran
Post by: cindianna_jones on August 23, 2012, 01:46:23 AM
Post by: cindianna_jones on August 23, 2012, 01:46:23 AM
Thank you. I appreciate all who stand up for the rest of us.
Title: Re: The American Psychiatric Association Issues Historic Position Statements on Tran
Post by: justmeinoz on August 23, 2012, 07:39:52 AM
Post by: justmeinoz on August 23, 2012, 07:39:52 AM
Thank you for that. Everyone else follows their lead, so the change in attitude will spread to other countries.