The Evidence Base for Gender-Affirming Care

Everything healthcare providers need to respond confidently when parents express concerns about transgender care—backed by decades of research and international medical consensus.

The Battle Against Misinformation

You know gender-affirming care saves lives. You've seen it improve mental health outcomes, reduce suicidality, and help young people thrive. But increasingly, parents arrive at appointments anxious, confused, or influenced by politically motivated misinformation.

They've heard that this care is "experimental." That kids are being "rushed" into irreversible treatments. That regret rates are sky-high. That respected medical organizations question the evidence.

None of this is true.

But when a concerned parent sits across from you asking pointed questions, you need more than reassurance. You need evidence. Fast. In a format you can reference during appointments—and hand to families to take home.

That's what this resource provides.

Two Versions. One Mission: Arm Providers with Evidence.

THE COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

40-50 pages

Perfect for:

  • ✓ Building deep expertise in gender-affirming care evidence
  • ✓ Preparing for complex or contentious cases
  • ✓ Training staff or colleagues
  • ✓ Responding to detailed policy or legal challenges

What's inside:

  • ✓ 6 detailed sections covering medical consensus, mental health, safety, satisfaction rates
  • ✓ 50+ peer-reviewed studies with practical implications
  • ✓ Detailed rebuttals to misconceptions (ROGD, "social contagion")
  • ✓ International perspective across healthcare systems

THE SHORT REFERENCE GUIDE

8-10 pages

Perfect for:

  • ✓ Quick consultation during or between appointments
  • ✓ Desk reference for busy clinical days
  • ✓ Handing to colleagues who need the basics
  • ✓ Quick prep before difficult conversations

What's inside:

  • ✓ Key statistics at a glance
  • ✓ Quick responses to common parent concerns
  • ✓ Essential research findings in scannable format
  • ✓ Red flags for unreliable sources

Both versions include:

  • ✓ Evidence-based responses to every common parent concern
  • ✓ Citations to peer-reviewed research
  • ✓ Medical organization statements and international standards of care
  • ✓ Mental health and suicide prevention data
  • ✓ Safety and reversibility information
  • ✓ Resources for parents (PFLAG, Gender Spectrum, Trevor Project)

What the Research Actually Shows

93%of peer-reviewed studies found gender transition improves wellbeing; 0% found harm
(Cornell University, 55 studies, 1991-2017)
52%of transgender youth seriously considered suicide in the past year
(The Trevor Project)
0.3-3.8%regret rates across multiple international studies spanning decades
ALLmajor US medical organizations support gender-affirming care as medically necessary

Every major medical organization in the United States supports gender-affirming care:

American Medical Association
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Psychiatric Association
The Endocrine Society
American Psychological Association
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Plus international consensus from WPATH (3,000+ members worldwide), WHO, Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK), Canadian Paediatric Society, and more.

After Using This Resource, You'll Be Able To:

✓ Respond confidently when parents claim care is "experimental"
✓ Cite specific studies showing mental health benefits
✓ Explain why regret rates are so low
✓ Counter "social contagion" and ROGD myths
✓ Identify fringe groups masquerading as medical organizations
✓ Show parents the breadth of medical consensus
✓ Explain the staged, gradual nature of care
✓ Provide take-home materials for families
✓ Train staff and colleagues effectively
✓ Feel prepared for challenging conversations

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this resource for?
Healthcare providers, mental health professionals, and wellness practitioners who work with transgender and gender-diverse patients—especially those who encounter concerned or skeptical parents.
Do I need both versions?
Not necessarily. The short version handles most clinical situations. The comprehensive version is for providers who want deep expertise, need to train others, or face particularly complex cases.
Is this resource evidence-based?
Absolutely. Every claim is backed by peer-reviewed research, clinical practice guidelines, or statements from major medical organizations. Full citations included.
Can I share this with colleagues?
Your paid subscription gives you access to download and print the resources for your own use. Encourage colleagues to subscribe for their own access to the full Well Beings News resource library.
Can I give the handout sections to parents?
Yes! Both versions include information designed to be shared with families.

Subscribe for Full Access to the Resource Library

Join Well Beings News as a paid member and get immediate access to:

  • ✓Evidence for Gender-Affirming Care (comprehensive + short versions)
  • ✓LGBTQ+ Affirming Intake Form Toolkit
  • ✓Safer Space Assessment Toolkit
  • ✓Weekly Monday Roundup (policy news, research summaries, legislative tracking)
  • ✓Midweek Original Reporting (deep dives into LGBTQ+ health issues)
  • ✓Weekend Interviews (Provider POV series, Peer Reviewed research conversations)
  • ✓Growing Resource Library (toolkits, guides, and reference materials)
  • ✓Full Post Archive (years of transgender health journalism)

Everything you need to provide excellent, evidence-based care to LGBTQ+ patients—delivered to your inbox and available on-demand.

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Well Beings News is an independent journalism project providing comprehensive coverage of LGBTQ+ health policy, research, and clinical developments for practitioners, providers, and professionals working in health and wellness industries.

Founded and written by BJ Ferguson, an independent journalist covering transgender health and policy.