With many anti-trans medical bills popping up across the US, discussions around the topic of whether or not young trans people should be “allowed” to transition have been occurring on social media, in our homes, and in schools.
But what does it mean to let a child transition?
It is important to begin by saying that transitioning is not a one-size-fits-all plan. The process is incredibly personal, and requires a lot of thought and consideration. Some young people start with reflecting on the way they think and feel about their gender at a very young age, while other people don’t begin to navigate their identity until much later in life. There is no right or perfect time to transition or come out as transgender (or as anything outside the “box” of straight and cisgender.) There just comes a point where each transgender or non-binary person is no longer willing or able to hold in their truth.
When people hear the word “transition” in relation to those within the transgender community, they often start to think about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and of course surgery. However, transition involves many aspects of life including social, legal, and medical.
Social Transition: refers to the process of people identifying themselves as trans to others. Otherwise known as coming out. This process may include a change in clothing or hairstyle, and use of a different name and/or pronouns.
Legal Transition: refers to the process of changing legal identity documents to reflect a new name, and/or gender marker on things like a driver’s license or school ID.
Medical Transition: refers to medical interventions to get a person’s physical self to align better with their internal sense of self.
For young children, “treatment” is simply support and respect for their identities without making assumptions about what they will need or feel as adults. Prior to puberty a child’s transition may ONLY include a social, or legal transition which are both 100% reversible. With plenty of help and support from loved ones and a medical provider, puberty blockers may be introduced after a child has started puberty and remains consistent with a transgender identity (or still experiences significant distress and questions their gender identity)
The treatment guidelines and recommendations from organizations like Endocrine Society, WPATH, UCSF Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, and American Academy of Pediatrics all state that affirming a transgender or gender diverse child’s identity plays a critical role in decreasing mental health concerns like depression, and improving the overall health and happiness of that young person.
Leaders in transgender health point out that trans adults were all trans children at one point. Regardless of whether they knew about their trans or non-binary identity. Let’s love and support our trans and gender questioning young people so they can become happy adults that are living their truth and thriving.