legal definition gender reassignment surgery

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Things to know about the gender-affirming care case as the Supreme Court prepares to weigh in

FILE - A flag supporting LGBTQ+ rights decorates a desk on the Democratic side of the Kansas House of Representatives during a debate, March 28, 2023, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to consider whether a Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for minors is constitutional. (AP Photo/John Hanna, File)

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The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday that it will hear arguments on the constitutionality of state bans on gender-affirming care for transgender minors.

The issue has emerged as a big one in the past few years. While transgender people have gained more visibility and acceptance in many respects, half the states have pushed back with laws banning certain health care services for transgender kids.

Things to know about the issue:

What is gender-affirming care?

Gender-affirming care includes a range of medical and mental health services to support a person’s gender identity, including when it’s different from the sex they were assigned at birth.

The services are offered to treat gender dysphoria, the unease a person may have because their assigned gender and gender identity don’t match. The condition has been linked to depression and suicidal thoughts.

Gender-affirming care encompasses counseling and treatment with medications that block puberty, and hormone therapy to produce physical changes. Those for transgender men cause periods to stop, increase facial and body hair, and deepen voices, among others. The hormones used by transgender women can have effects such as slowing growth of body and facial hair and increasing breast growth.

Gender-affirming care can also include surgery, including operations to transform genitals and chests. These surgeries are rarely offered to minors .

What laws are states passing?

Over the past three years, 26 Republican-controlled states have passed laws restricting gender-affirming care for minors. Most of the laws ban puberty blockers, hormone treatment and surgery for those under 18. Some include provisions that allow those already receiving treatment to continue.

The laws also make exceptions for gender-affirming treatments that are not part of a gender transition, such as medications to stop breast growth in boys and excessive facial hair in girls.

One of the laws — in Arkansas — was nixed by a federal court and is not being enforced.

Meanwhile, at least 14 Democratic-controlled states have adopted laws intended to protect access to gender-affirming care.

The gender-affirming care legislation is a major part of a broader set of laws and policies that has emerged in Republican-controlled states that rein in rights of transgender people. Other policies, adopted in the name of protecting women and girls, bar transgender people from school bathrooms and sports competitions that align with their gender.

What have courts said so far?

Most of the bans have faced court challenges, and most are not very far along in the legal pipeline yet.

The law in Arkansas is the only one to have been struck down entirely, but the state has asked a federal appeals court to reverse that ruling.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, one step below the Supreme Court, last year ruled that Kentucky and Tennessee can continue to enforce their bans amid legal challenges. The high court has agreed to hear the Tennessee case in the term that starts later this year.

The U.S. Supreme Court in April ruled that Idaho can enforce its ban while litigation over it proceeds. A lower court had put it on hold.

What does the medical community think?

Every major U.S. medical group, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, has opposed the bans and said that gender-affirming treatments can be medically necessary and are supported by evidence.

But around the world, medical experts and government health officials are not in lockstep. Some European countries in recent years have warned about overdiagnosis of gender dysphoria.

In England, the state-funded National Health Service commissioned a review of gender identity services for children and adolescents, appointing retired pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass to lead the effort. The final version of the Cass Review , published in April, found “no good evidence on the long-term outcomes of interventions to manage gender-related distress.”

England’s health service stopped prescribing puberty blockers to children with gender dysphoria outside of a research setting, following recommendations from Cass’ interim report.

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health and its U.S. affiliate issued a statement in May saying they’re deeply concerned about the process, content and consequences of the review, saying it “deprives young trans and gender diverse people of the high-quality care they deserve and causes immense distress and harm to both young patients and their families.”

legal definition gender reassignment surgery

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Introduction

Gender-affirmation care

Development, advances in gender-affirming care.

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gender-affirming surgery

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gender-affirming surgery , medical procedure in which the physical sex characteristics of an individual are modified. Gender-affirming surgery typically is undertaken when an individual chooses to align their physical appearance with their gender identity , enabling the individual to achieve a greater sense of self and helping to reduce psychological distress that may be associated with gender dysphoria .

An individual’s physical sex may not match their gender identity when the person is intersex , having been born outside the binary of male and female and thus having ambiguous genitalia, or when the person identifies as transgender . Parents of an intersex child may elect to have surgical procedures carried out in order to have the child’s anatomy conform to binary notions of gender . A person’s ascribed legal sex may not match their gender identity as they mature. However, this situation raises serious concerns regarding the appropriateness of performing unnecessary medical procedures on the bodies of minors. Intersexuality is a normal biological variation and is not considered a medical condition. Therefore, medical interventions such as surgery and hormone therapy are typically unnecessary for intersex children.

Transgender individuals may seek gender-affirming surgery to align their physical body with their perception of their gender identity. Gender identity refers to an individual’s perception of their own gender, which may or may not correspond to their designated gender at birth. Gender identity encompasses the identification as male, female, both, neither, or somewhere else on the spectrum of gender. It is distinct from biological sex, which is determined by the sex chromosomes and anatomy of an individual. While the gender identity of most individuals corresponds to their ascribed biological sex, the gender identity of some individuals differs from their ascribed sex at birth, which can result in gender dysphoria and thereby lead the individual to seek gender-affirming surgery.

Individuals assigned male at birth may undergo one or more procedures to feminize their anatomy, including facial feminization surgery, penectomy (removal of the penis ), orchidectomy (removal of the testicles ), vaginoplasty (construction of a vagina ), and a tracheal shave (reduction of the Adam’s apple). Individuals who are assigned female at birth and who desire surgical intervention to masculinize their anatomy may seek breast reduction surgery, hysterectomy (removal of the uterus ), oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries ), and phalloplasty (construction of a penis).

Gender-affirming surgeries were performed during the 1920s and ’30s, primarily in Europe. These procedures were experimental and not extensively accepted by the medical community . At the time, it was widely believed that gender identity was immutable and that surgery could not alter it. However, Magnus Hirschfeld , a German sexologist and vocal advocate for sexual and gender diversity , assisted with the care of several transgender individuals.

Dora Richter was the first transgender individual to undergo complete male-to-female genital surgery under Hirschfeld’s supervision. Richter was one of several transgender individuals under Hirschfeld’s care at the Berlin Institute for Sexual Research. In 1922 Richter underwent an orchidectomy and, in 1931, a penectomy and vaginoplasty.

In 1930 and 1931 Lili Elbe also underwent several gender-affirming surgeries. These procedures included an orchidectomy, an ovarian transplant, and a penectomy. Elbe underwent a fourth surgery in June 1931, which consisted of an experimental uterine transplant and vaginoplasty. Elbe’s body rejected the transplanted uterus, and she died of postoperative complications in 1931.

During the 1950s and ’60s, significant advancements were made in the field of gender-affirming surgery, including the establishment of several major medical centres and the refinement of surgical techniques. Christian Hamburger, a Danish endocrinologist, performed a gender-affirming surgery in 1952 on Christine Jorgensen , a transgender individual, who underwent hormone replacement therapy and surgery to remove her testicles and create a vagina. Jorgensen became a public figure advocating for transgender rights and promoting awareness about gender-affirming surgery after their case received significant media attention.

Other medical centres in Europe and the United States began conducting gender-affirming surgeries around the same time, including the Johns Hopkins Gender Identity Clinic, founded in 1966. The founder of the clinic, psychiatrist John Money, believed that gender was a social construct and that gender-affirming surgery could be an effective treatment for individuals with gender dysphoria. Money’s theories had a significant impact on the field of gender-affirming surgery and helped to change the attitudes of the medical community regarding the procedure.

During the 1960s, new surgical techniques were developed, including advances in vaginoplasty and phalloplasty. In the 1950s Belgian surgeon Georges Burou devised a technique involving the use of skin grafts from the patient’s thigh to create a vaginal canal lining. For penises, he attached the phallus to a blood supply using tissue . This technique improved tissue perfusion and decreased the risk of complications such as tissue necrosis . These procedures marked a turning point in the development of gender-affirming care because they demonstrated the potential for successful genital reconstruction in transgender patients.

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A decision to undertake gender reassignment is made when an individual feels that his or her gender at birth does not match their gender identity. This is called ‘gender dysphoria’ and is a recognised medical condition.

Gender reassignment refers to individuals, whether staff, who either:

Have undergone, intend to undergo or are currently undergoing gender reassignment (medical and surgical treatment to alter the body).
Do not intend to undergo medical treatment but wish to live permanently in a different gender from their gender at birth.

‘Transition’ refers to the process and/or the period of time during which gender reassignment occurs (with or without medical intervention).

Not all people who undertake gender reassignment decide to undergo medical or surgical treatment to alter the body. However, some do and this process may take several years. Additionally, there is a process by which a person can obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate , which changes their legal gender.

People who have undertaken gender reassignment are sometimes referred to as Transgender or Trans (see glossary ).

Transgender and sexual orientation

It should be noted that sexual orientation and transgender are not inter-related. It is incorrect to assume that someone who undertakes gender reassignment is lesbian or gay or that his or her sexual orientation will change after gender reassignment. However, historically the campaigns advocating equality for both transgender and lesbian, gay and bisexual communities have often been associated with each other. As a result, the University's staff and student support networks have established diversity networks that include both Sexual Orientation and Transgender groups.

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Gender reassignment surgery: an overview

Affiliation.

1 Gender Surgery Unit, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College NHS Trust, 179-183 Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8QZ, UK.
PMID: 21487386
DOI: 10.1038/nrurol.2011.46

Gender reassignment (which includes psychotherapy, hormonal therapy and surgery) has been demonstrated as the most effective treatment for patients affected by gender dysphoria (or gender identity disorder), in which patients do not recognize their gender (sexual identity) as matching their genetic and sexual characteristics. Gender reassignment surgery is a series of complex surgical procedures (genital and nongenital) performed for the treatment of gender dysphoria. Genital procedures performed for gender dysphoria, such as vaginoplasty, clitorolabioplasty, penectomy and orchidectomy in male-to-female transsexuals, and penile and scrotal reconstruction in female-to-male transsexuals, are the core procedures in gender reassignment surgery. Nongenital procedures, such as breast enlargement, mastectomy, facial feminization surgery, voice surgery, and other masculinization and feminization procedures complete the surgical treatment available. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health currently publishes and reviews guidelines and standards of care for patients affected by gender dysphoria, such as eligibility criteria for surgery. This article presents an overview of the genital and nongenital procedures available for both male-to-female and female-to-male gender reassignment.

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Gender Confirmation Surgery (GCS)

What is Gender Confirmation Surgery?

Transfeminine Tr

Transmasculine Transition

Traveling Abroad

Choosing a Surgeon

Gender confirmation surgery (GCS), known clinically as genitoplasty, are procedures that surgically confirm a person's gender by altering the genitalia and other physical features to align with their desired physical characteristics. Gender confirmation surgeries are also called gender affirmation procedures. These are both respectful terms.

Gender dysphoria , an experience of misalignment between gender and sex, is becoming more widely diagnosed. People diagnosed with gender dysphoria are often referred to as "transgender," though one does not necessarily need to experience gender dysphoria to be a member of the transgender community. It is important to note there is controversy around the gender dysphoria diagnosis. Many disapprove of it, noting that the diagnosis suggests that being transgender is an illness.

Ellen Lindner / Verywell

Transfeminine Transition

Transfeminine is a term inclusive of trans women and non-binary trans people assigned male at birth.

Gender confirmation procedures that a transfeminine person may undergo include:

Penectomy is the surgical removal of external male genitalia.
Orchiectomy is the surgical removal of the testes.
Vaginoplasty is the surgical creation of a vagina.
Feminizing genitoplasty creates internal female genitalia.
Breast implants create breasts.
Gluteoplasty increases buttock volume.
Chondrolaryngoplasty is a procedure on the throat that can minimize the appearance of Adam's apple .

Feminizing hormones are commonly used for at least 12 months prior to breast augmentation to maximize breast growth and achieve a better surgical outcome. They are also often used for approximately 12 months prior to feminizing genital surgeries.

Facial feminization surgery (FFS) is often done to soften the lines of the face. FFS can include softening the brow line, rhinoplasty (nose job), smoothing the jaw and forehead, and altering the cheekbones. Each person is unique and the procedures that are done are based on the individual's need and budget,

Transmasculine is a term inclusive of trans men and non-binary trans people assigned female at birth.

Gender confirmation procedures that a transmasculine person may undergo include:

Masculinizing genitoplasty is the surgical creation of external genitalia. This procedure uses the tissue of the labia to create a penis.
Phalloplasty is the surgical construction of a penis using a skin graft from the forearm, thigh, or upper back.
Metoidioplasty is the creation of a penis from the hormonally enlarged clitoris.
Scrotoplasty is the creation of a scrotum.

Procedures that change the genitalia are performed with other procedures, which may be extensive.

The change to a masculine appearance may also include hormone therapy with testosterone, a mastectomy (surgical removal of the breasts), hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus), and perhaps additional cosmetic procedures intended to masculinize the appearance.

Paying For Gender Confirmation Surgery

Medicare and some health insurance providers in the United States may cover a portion of the cost of gender confirmation surgery.

It is unlawful to discriminate or withhold healthcare based on sex or gender. However, many plans do have exclusions.

For most transgender individuals, the burden of financing the procedure(s) is the main difficulty in obtaining treatment. The cost of transitioning can often exceed $100,000 in the United States, depending upon the procedures needed.

A typical genitoplasty alone averages about $18,000. Rhinoplasty, or a nose job, averaged $5,409 in 2019.

Traveling Abroad for GCS

Some patients seek gender confirmation surgery overseas, as the procedures can be less expensive in some other countries. It is important to remember that traveling to a foreign country for surgery, also known as surgery tourism, can be very risky.

Regardless of where the surgery will be performed, it is essential that your surgeon is skilled in the procedure being performed and that your surgery will be performed in a reputable facility that offers high-quality care.

When choosing a surgeon , it is important to do your research, whether the surgery is performed in the U.S. or elsewhere. Talk to people who have already had the procedure and ask about their experience and their surgeon.

Before and after photos don't tell the whole story, and can easily be altered, so consider asking for a patient reference with whom you can speak.

It is important to remember that surgeons have specialties and to stick with your surgeon's specialty. For example, you may choose to have one surgeon perform a genitoplasty, but another to perform facial surgeries. This may result in more expenses, but it can result in a better outcome.

A Word From Verywell

Gender confirmation surgery is very complex, and the procedures that one person needs to achieve their desired result can be very different from what another person wants.

Each individual's goals for their appearance will be different. For example, one individual may feel strongly that breast implants are essential to having a desirable and feminine appearance, while a different person may not feel that breast size is a concern. A personalized approach is essential to satisfaction because personal appearance is so highly individualized.

Davy Z, Toze M. What is gender dysphoria? A critical systematic narrative review . Transgend Health . 2018;3(1):159-169. doi:10.1089/trgh.2018.0014

Morrison SD, Vyas KS, Motakef S, et al. Facial Feminization: Systematic Review of the Literature . Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016;137(6):1759-70. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000002171

Hadj-moussa M, Agarwal S, Ohl DA, Kuzon WM. Masculinizing Genital Gender Confirmation Surgery . Sex Med Rev . 2019;7(1):141-155. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2018.06.004

Dowshen NL, Christensen J, Gruschow SM. Health Insurance Coverage of Recommended Gender-Affirming Health Care Services for Transgender Youth: Shopping Online for Coverage Information . Transgend Health . 2019;4(1):131-135. doi:10.1089/trgh.2018.0055

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Rhinoplasty nose surgery .

Rights Group: More U.S. Companies Covering Cost of Gender Reassignment Surgery. CNS News. http://cnsnews.com/news/article/rights-group-more-us-companies-covering-cost-gender-reassignment-surgery

The Sex Change Capital of the US. CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-3445_162-4423154.html

By Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FN Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. She has experience in primary care and hospital medicine.

Stages of Gender Reassignment

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The idea of getting stuck in the wrong body sounds like the premise for a movie in "Freaky Friday," a mother and a daughter swap bodies, and in "Big" and "13 Going on 30," teenagers experience life in an adult's body. These movies derive their humor from the ways in which the person's attitude and thoughts don't match their appearance. A teenager trapped in her mother's body, for example, revels in breaking curfew and playing air guitar, while a teenager trapped in an adult's body is astounded by the trappings of wealth that come with a full-time job. We laugh because the dialogue and actions are so contrary to what we'd expect from someone who is a mother, or from someone who is an employed adult.

But for some people, living as an incongruous gender is anything but a joke. A transgender person is someone who has a different gender identity than their birth sex would indicate. We interchange the words sex, sexuality and gender all the time, but they don't actually refer to the same thing. Sex refers to the parts we were born with; boys, we assume, have a penis, while girls come equipped with a vagina. Sexuality generally refers to sexual orientation , or who we're attracted to in a sexual and/or romantic sense. Gender expression refers to the behavior used to communicate gender in a given culture. Little girls in the U.S., for example, would be expected express their feminine gender by playing with dolls and wearing dresses, and little boys would be assumed to express their masculinity with penchants for roughhousing and monster trucks. Another term is g ender identity, the private sense or feeling of being either a man or woman, some combination of both or neither [source: American Psychological Association ].

Sometimes, a young boy may want to wear dresses and have tea parties, yet it's nothing more than a phase that eventually subsides. Other times, however, there is a longing to identify with another gender or no gender at all that becomes so intense that the person experiencing it can't function anymore. Transgender is an umbrella term for people who identify outside of the gender they were assigned at birth and for some gender reassignment surgeries are crucial to leading a healthy, happy life.

Gender Dysphoria: Diagnosis and Psychotherapy

Real-life experience, hormone replacement therapy, surgical options: transgender women, surgical options: transgender men, gender reassignment: regrets.

Transgender people may begin identifying with a different gender, rather than the one assigned at birth, in early childhood, which means they can't remember a time they didn't feel shame or distress about their bodies. For other people, that dissatisfaction with their biological sex begins later, perhaps around puberty or early adulthood, though it can occur later in life as well.

It's estimated that about 0.3 percent of the U.S. population self-identify as transgender, but not all who are transgender will choose to undergo a gender transition [source: Gates ]. Some may choose to affirm their new gender through physically transforming their bodies from the top down, while others may prefer to make only certain cosmetic changes, such as surgeries to soften facial features or hair removal procedures, for example.

Not all who identify with a gender different than their birth sex suffer from gender dysphoria or go on to seek surgery. Transgender people who do want gender reassignment surgery, however, must follow the standards of care for gender affirmation as defined by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).

In 1980, when gender identity disorder (GID) was first recognized, it was considered a psychiatric disorder. In 2013, though, GID was, in part, reconsidered as biological in nature, and renamed gender dysphoria . It was reclassified as a medical condition in the American Psychological Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), a common language and standards protocol manual for the classification of mental disorders. With this classification, transgender people must be diagnosed prior to any treatment [source: International Foundation for Gender Education ].

Gender dysphoria is diagnosed when a person has a persistent desire to become a different gender. The desire may manifest itself as disgust for one's reproductive organs, hatred for the clothing and other outward signs of one's given gender, and/or a desire to act and be recognized as another gender. This desire must be continuously present for six months in order to be recognized as a disorder [source: WPATH].

In addition to receiving the diagnosis from a mental health professional, a person seeking reassignment must also take part in psychotherapy. The point of therapy isn't to ignite a change, begin a conversion or otherwise convince a transgender person that it's wrong to want to be of a different gender (or of no specific gender at all) . Rather, counseling is required to ensure that the person is realistic about the process of gender affirmation and understands the ramifications of not only going through with social and legal changes but with permanent options such as surgery. And because feeling incongruous with your body can be traumatizing and frustrating, the mental health professional will also work to identify any underlying issues such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse or borderline personality disorder.

The mental health professional can also help to guide the person seeking gender reassignment through the next step of the process: real-life experience.

WPATH requires transgender people desiring gender reassignment surgery to live full-time as the gender that they wish to be before pursuing any permanent options as part of their gender transition. This period is a known as real-life experience (RLE) .

It's during the RLE that the transgender person often chooses a new name appropriate for the desired gender, and begins the legal name-change process. That new name often comes with a set of newly appropriate pronouns, too; for example, when Chastity Bono, biologically born as Sonny and Cher's daughter in 1969, began her transition in 2008 she renamed herself as Chaz and instructed people to use "he" rather than "she" [source: Donaldson James ].

In addition to a new name and pronouns, during this time gender-affirming men and women are expected to also adopt the clothing of their desired gender while maintaining their employment, attending school or volunteering in the community. Trans women might begin undergoing cosmetic procedures to rid themselves of body hair; trans men might take voice coaching in attempt to speak in a lower pitch. The goal of real-life experience is to expose social issues that might arise if the individual were to continue gender reassignment. How, for example, will a boss react if a male employee comes to work as a female? What about family? Or your significant other? Sometimes, during RLE people realize that living as the other gender doesn't bring the happiness they thought it would, and they may not continue to transition. Other times, a social transition is enough, and gender reassignment surgery isn't pursued. And sometimes, this test run is the confirmation people need to pursue physical changes in order to fully become another gender.

In addition to the year-long real-life experience requirement before surgical options may be pursued, WPATH recommends hormonal therapy as a critical component to transitioning before surgery. Candidates for hormone therapy may choose to complete a year-long RLE and counseling or complete six months of a RLE or three-months of a RLE/three months of psychotherapy before moving ahead with hormone therapy.

Upon successfully completing a RLE by demonstrating stable mental health and a healthy lifestyle, the transitioning individual becomes eligible for genital reconstructive surgery — but it can't begin until a mental health professional submits a letter (or letters) of recommendation indicating that the individual is ready to move forward [source: WPATH].

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) , also called cross-sex hormones, is a way for transgender individuals to feel and look more like the gender they identify with, and so it's a major step in gender reassignment. In order to be eligible for hormone therapy, participants must be at least 18 years old (though sometimes, younger adolescents are allowed to take hormone blockers to prohibit their naturally occurring puberty) and demonstrate to a mental health professional that they have realistic expectations of what the hormones will and won't do to their bodies. A letter from that mental health professional is required, per the standards of care established by WPATH.

Hormone therapy is used to balance a person's gender identity with their body's endocrine system. Male-to-female candidates begin by taking testosterone-blocking agents (or anti-androgens ) along with female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone . This combination of hormones is designed to lead to breast growth, softer skin, less body hair and fewer erections. These hormones also change the body by redistributing body fat to areas where women tend to carry extra weight (such as around the hips) and by decreasing upper body strength. Female-to-male candidates begin taking testosterone , which will deepen the voice and may cause some hair loss or baldness. Testosterone will also cause the clitoris to enlarge and the person's sex drive to increase. Breasts may slightly shrink, while upper body strength will increase [source: WPATH].

It usually takes two continuous years of treatment to see the full results of hormone therapy. If a person were to stop taking the hormones, then some of these changes would reverse themselves. Hormone therapy is not without side effects — both men and women may experience an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, and they are also at risk for fertility problems. Some transgender people may choose to bank sperm or eggs if they wish to have children in the future.

Sometimes hormonal therapy is enough to make a person feel he or she belongs to the desired gender, so treatment stops here. Others may pursue surgical means as part of gender reassignment.

Surgical options are usually considered after at least two years of hormonal therapy, and require two letters of approval by therapists or physicians. These surgeries may or may not be covered by health insurance in the U.S. — often only those that are considered medically necessary to treat gender dysphoria are covered, and they can be expensive. Gender reassignment costs vary based on each person's needs and desires; expenses often range between $7,000 and $50,000 (in 2014), although costs may be much greater depending upon the type (gender reconstructive surgeries versus cosmetic procedures) and number of surgeries as well as where in the world they are performed [source: AP ].

Gender affirmation is done with an interdisciplinary team, which includes mental health professionals, endocrinologists, gynecologists, urologists and reconstructive cosmetic surgeons.

One of the first surgeries male-to-female candidates pursue is breast augmentation, if HRT doesn't enlarge their breasts to their satisfaction. Though breast augmentations are a common procedure for cisgender women (those who identify with the gender they were assigned at birth), care must be taken when operating on a biologically male body, as there are structural differences, like body size, that may affect the outcome.

The surgical options to change male genitalia include orchiectomy (removal of the testicles), penile inversion vaginoplasty (creation of a vagina from the penis), clitoroplasty (creation of a clitoris from the glans of the penis) and labiaplasty (creation of labia from the skin of the scrotum) [source: Nguyen ]. The new vagina, clitoris and labia are typically constructed from the existing penile tissue. Essentially, after the testicles and the inner tissue of the penis is removed and the urethra is shortened, the skin of the penis is turned inside out and fashioned into the external labia and the internal vagina. A clitoris is created from excess erectile tissue, while the glans ends up at the opposite end of the vagina; these two sensitive areas usually mean that orgasm is possible once gender reassignment is complete. Male-to-female gender reconstructive surgery typically takes about four or five hours [source: University of Michigan ]. The major complication from this surgery is collapse of the new vaginal cavity, so after surgery, patients may have to use dilating devices.

Trans women may also choose to undergo cosmetic surgeries to further enhance their femininity. Procedures commonly included with feminization are: blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery); cheek augmentation; chin augmentation; facelift; forehead and brow lift with brow bone reduction and hair line advance; liposuction; rhinoplasty; chondrolargynoplasty or tracheal shave (to reduce the appearance of the Adam's apple); and upper lip shortening [source: The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery]. Trans women may pursue these surgeries with any cosmetic plastic surgeon, but as with breast augmentation, a doctor experienced with this unique situation is preferred. One last surgical option is voice modification surgery , which changes the pitch of the voice (alternatively, there is speech therapy and voice training, as well as training DVDs and audio recordings that promise the same thing).

Female-to-male surgeries are pursued less often than male-to-female surgeries, mostly because when compared to male-to-female surgeries, trans men have limited options; and, historically, successful surgical outcomes haven't been considered on par with those of trans women. Still, more than 80 percent of surgically trans men report having sexual intercourse with orgasm [source: Harrison ].

As with male-to-female transition, female-to-male candidates may begin with breast surgery, although for trans men this comes in the form of a mastectomy. This may be the only surgery that trans men undergo in their reassignment, if only because the genital surgeries available are still far from perfect. Forty percent of trans men who undergo genital reconstructive surgeries experience complications including problems with urinary function, infection and fistulas [sources: Harrison , WPATH].

Female-to-male genital reconstructive surgeries include hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) and salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries). Patients may then elect to have a metoidioplasty , which is a surgical enlargement of the clitoris so that it can serve as a sort of penis, or, more commonly, a phalloplasty . A phalloplasty includes the creation of a neo-phallus, clitoral transposition, glansplasty and scrotoplasty with prosthetic testicles inserted to complete the appearance.

There are three types of penile implants, also called penile prostheses: The most popular is a three-piece inflatable implant, used in about 75 percent of patients. There are also two-piece inflatable penile implants, used only 15 percent of the time; and non-inflatable (including semi-rigid) implants, which are used in fewer than 10 percent of surgeries. Inflatable implants are expected to last about five to 10 years, while semi-rigid options typically have a lifespan of about 20 years (and fewer complications than inflatable types) [source: Crane ].

As with trans women, trans men may elect for cosmetic surgery that will make them appear more masculine, though the options are slightly more limited; liposuction to reduce fat in areas in which cisgender women i tend to carry it is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures.

As surgical techniques improve, complication rates have fallen too. For instance, long-term complication risks for male-to-female reconstructive surgeries have fallen below 1 percent. Despite any complications, though, the overwhelming majority of people who've undergone surgical reconstruction report they're satisfied with the results [source: Jarolím ]. Other researchers have noted that people who complete their transition process show a marked improvement in mental health and a substantial decrease in substance abuse and depression. Compare these results to 2010 survey findings that revealed that 41 percent of transgender people in the U.S. attempted suicide, and you'll see that finally feeling comfortable in one's own skin can be an immensely positive experience [source: Moskowitz ].

It's difficult, though, to paint a complete picture of what life is like after people transition to a new gender, as many people move to a new place for a fresh start after their transition is complete. For that reason, many researchers, doctors and therapists have lost track of former patients. For some people, that fresh start is essential to living their new lives to the fullest, while others have found that staying in the same job, the same marriage or the same city is just as rewarding and fulfilling and vital to their sense of acceptance.

In many ways, the process of gender affirmation is ongoing. Even after the surgeries and therapies are complete, people will still have to deal with these discrimination issues. Transgender people are often at high risk for hate crimes. Regular follow-ups will be necessary to maintain both physical and mental health, and many people continue to struggle with self-acceptance and self-esteem after struggling with themselves for so long. Still, as more people learn about gender reassignment, it seems possible that that these issues of stigma and discrimination won't be so prevalent.

As many as 91 percent Americans are familiar with the term "transgender" and 76 percent can correctly define it; 89 percent agree that transgender people deserve the same rights, privileges and protections as those who are cisgender [source: Public Religion Research Institute ]. But that's not to say that everything becomes completely easy once a person transitions to his or her desired gender.

Depending upon where you live, non-discrimination laws may or may not cover transgender individuals, so it's completely possible to be fired from one's job or lose one's home due to gender expression. Some people have lost custody of their children after divorces and have been unable to get courts to recognize their parental rights. Historically, some marriages were challenged — consider, for example, what happens when a man who is married to a woman decides to become a woman; after the surgery, if the two people decide to remain married, it now appears to be a same-sex marriage, which is now legalized in the U.S. Some organizations and governments refuse to recognize a person's new gender unless genital reconstructive surgery has been performed, despite the fact that some people only pursue hormone therapy or breast surgery [sources: U.S. Office of Personnel Management , Glicksman ].

Lots More Information

Author's note: stages of gender reassignment.

It's interesting how our terminology changes throughout the years, isn't it? (And in some cases for the better.) What we used to call a sex change operation is now gender realignment surgery. Transsexual is now largely replaced with transgender. And with good reason, I think. Knowing that sex, sexuality and gender aren't interchangeable terms, updating "sex change" to "gender reassignment" or "gender affirmation" and "transsexual" to "transgender" moves the focus away from what sounds like something to do with sexual orientation to one that is a more accurate designation.

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Public Health
Cindi Castilla

Cindi Castilla, president of the Dallas Eagle Forum, listens to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speak in Austin in August 2018 (Stephen Spillman / for American-Statesman).

What does the law say about children and sex reassignment surgery?

During an Oct. 31 press conference, leaders from conservative advocacy organizations in Texas urged Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special legislative session to elect a new House speaker.

Earlier that month, embattled House Speaker Dennis Bonnen announced that he would not seek re-election to his seat in the House.

The activists also outlined policy proposals that they want lawmakers to address during a special session, proposals they say Republican leaders failed to pursue during the regular session earlier this year.

Cindi Castilla, president of the Dallas Eagle Forum, said lawmakers need to take steps to limit what gender transition treatments are available to children, in light of an ongoing legal battle in Dallas over the gender identity of a 7-year-old.

"During our last session, our legislators decided to pass a law protecting Texans from e-cigarettes until they reach the age of 21," she said. "They left children able to be sterilized and mutilated at any point in their life. This was a failing, and we need a remedy.

"Texas Eagle Forum asked lawmakers to carry a very common-sense bill that would protect young Texans. That bill would have protected (the child), no matter what the verdict was going to be from the courts."

Before we dive into this check, it should be noted that medical or surgical treatments used by doctors for transitioning must meet the same safety requirements of other medications or surgeries. To suggest that any child might be mutilated by doctors is inaccurate.

"Children in Texas are already robustly protected by the Texas Family Code and medical rules of ethics," said Brian Klosterboer, an attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, in a statement. "No one in Texas may harm a child, including parents and medical professionals."

When reached via email, Castilla said that she is unaware of any state laws that "protect children from being given treatments that can lead to sterilization and no law prohibiting surgeries that would seek to make a child appear to be a gender different than the gender they were born."

"Thus far, it appears very young children have been protected from this only because of the good sense of the medical community," she said. "As we see this protection waning among a small portion of the medical community we would like to make sure that the most vulnerable Texans are protected."

Castilla said the bill she mentioned at the press conference would have "protected children from these procedures," but the group could not find a lawmaker to carry the legislation.

Dallas custody case

The legal battle in Dallas that Castilla mentioned in her remarks is a custody dispute between a mother and father that centers on the gender identity of their 7-year-old child.

The child’s mother says the 7-year-old is a transgender girl and wants to dress as a girl and be identified by female pronouns — a process referred to as a social transition . The child’s father disagrees and insists that the child is a boy.

The case has spurred a national debate about children and their gender identities, with some Texas Republicans pledging to pursue legislation to prevent minors in Texas from transitioning by medical means.

Gillian Branstetter, spokeswoman for the National Center for Transgender Equality, said an important point to consider in this case is the child’s age.

"This child is 7 years old," she said, noting that "no one is talking about" pursuing a medical or surgical transition. "We’re talking about gender affirming parenting and letting the child explore who they are."

Looking at the law

Under federal law, transition-related medical care is considered the same as any other medically-necessary care and carries the same requirements when it comes to minors, according to Branstetter and attorneys with ACLU of Texas.

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Generally speaking , Texas law dictates that parents have a "duty" to provide medical and dental care to their children and they have the "right" to consent to that care.

But pursuing gender transition treatment is an individualized process for transgender and gender non-binary people and can take many forms, according to multiple resources on gender identity and gender dysphoria.

People with gender dysphoria — when a person feels a conflict between the gender they were assigned at birth and the gender with which they identify — choose to act on this in different ways.

This can include wearing clothes and using pronouns associated with their gender identity; changing their gender and name on legal documents; pursuing hormone treatment or surgical options available for transitioning.

Not every person who has gender dysphoria and is transgender will pursue medical or surgical transition treatment.

People can be diagnosed with gender dysphoria at any age, even as children.

"While some children express feelings and behaviors relating to gender dysphoria at 4 years old or younger, many may not express feelings and behaviors until puberty or much later," reads an article on the subject from the American Psychiatric Association. "For some children, when they experience puberty, they suddenly find themselves unable to identify with their own body.

Medical treatment standards prioritize affirmation

When it comes to caring for children who might be exhibiting signs of gender dysphoria, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the "gender-affirmative care model" that prioritizes validating a child’s gender identity and supporting their exploration and expression of that identity.

"There are absolutely no medical interventions or surgical interventions on any prepubertal child," said Colt Keo-Meier, a Texas-based psychologist and author who specializes in gender and sexual health. "That is not happening."

The widely accepted "Standards of Care" maintained by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health also emphasize this point.

"Before any physical interventions are considered for adolescents, extensive exploration of psychological, family, and social issues should be undertaken," the standards read. "The duration of this exploration may vary considerably depending on the complexity of the situation."

Once a child starts puberty, other options emerge. Keo-Meier said the most common treatment — medication to delay the onset of puberty — is fully reversible.

"That is literally just hitting pause," he said.

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health outline minimum criteria that must be met before a child can receive puberty-suppressing medication, including that the child has demonstrated a "long-lasting and intense pattern of gender nonconformity or gender dysphoria" and that it "emerged or worsened with the onset of puberty."

Other, interventions like hormone therapy (partially reversible) or surgery (irreversible) won’t be considered until a patient reaches adolescence.

Even then, the Standards of Care stress that certain procedures should not be performed until a patient is old enough to consent on their own (typically 16-18 years old) and others should occur only once a person has received other treatments for a specific time period.

Castilla said state lawmakers "left children able to be sterilized and mutilated at any point in their life" by failing to adopt a law prohibiting minors from undergoing medical or surgical gender transitions.

Castilla is right that there is no law regulating transition-related treatment separately from other medically-necessary care and the same age regulations apply — minors need parental consent.

Widely accepted guidelines for transition care emphasize gender-affirming care and therapy as primary tools for children. More intensive options, like surgery or hormone treatment, are typically reserved for older adolescents (with parental consent) and adults.

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Our Sources

Austin American-Statesman, Conservative groups call for special legislative session , Oct. 30, 2019

Dallas Morning News, Could transgender kids’ care be next ‘bathroom bill’ for Texas Republicans? , Oct. 25, 2019

Dallas Morning News, Mother in Dallas 7-year-old transgender child custody case calls for judge’s recusal, Nov. 5, 2019

GLAAD, Media Reference Guide — Transgender , accessed Nov. 1, 2019

University of California-San Francisco, Transition Roadmap , accessed Nov. 1, 2019

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health, Standards of Care Version 7 , 2012

Texas Health Steps, Teen Consent and Confidentiality , Nov. 7, 2019

Phone interview with Gillian Branstetter, spokesperson for the National Center for Transgender Equality, Nov. 6, 2019

Email interview with Branstetter, Nov. 6, 2019

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Transgender Identity and Experiences of Violence Victimization, Substance Use, Suicide Risk, and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among High School Students, Jan. 25, 2019

Endocrine News, Endocrine Society Urges Policy Makers to Follow Science on Transgender Health , October 2019

American Academy of Pediatrics, AAP Policy Statement Urges Support and Care of Transgender and Gender-Diverse CHildren and Adolescents , Sept. 17, 2018

American Academy of Pediatrics, Ensuring Comprehensive Care and Support for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents , Oct. 2018

The Arizona Republic, Judges can overrule parents on treatment for transgender children, Arizona Supreme Court rules , April 26, 2019

American Psychiatric Association, What is Gender Dysphoria? , accessed Nov. 1, 2019

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Access to Healthcare: Non-discrimination, accessed Nov. 4, 2019

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Right to change legal gender

You can change your legal gender in 66 countries, but 33 require surgery..

Legal recognition of sex reassignment by permitting a change of legal gender on an individual's birth certificate.

Timeline of right to change legal gender

Recent & upcoming changes, upcoming changes.

Czech Republic Legal, but requires medical diagnosis July 1
Sweden Legal, no restrictions July 1
Germany Legal, no restrictions November 1
Idaho Illegal July 1
Montana Legal, no restrictions June 25
Iraq Illegal April 27
YucatÃ¡n Legal, no restrictions March 28
Pakistan Legal, no restrictions December 13
Montana Illegal October 23
Russia Illegal July 24
Chechnya Illegal July 19
Illegal July 19
Kansas Illegal July 1
Tennessee Illegal July 1
New Zealand Legal, no restrictions June 15
Pakistan Illegal May 19
Finland Legal, no restrictions April 3
Slovakia Legal, but requires medical diagnosis March 3
Bulgaria Illegal February 21
Andorra Legal, no restrictions February 17
Hong Kong Legal, no restrictions February 6
Spain Legal, no restrictions December 22
Queensland Legal, no restrictions December 2
Cyprus Legal, no restrictions November 23
Montana Legal, no restrictions September 19
North Carolina Legal, no restrictions June 23
Montana Illegal May 23
Japan Legal, but requires surgery April 1
Lithuania Legal, but requires medical diagnosis February 2
Suriname Illegal January 1
Switzerland Legal, no restrictions January 1

Right to change legal gender by Country

Legal, no restrictions.

Right to change legal gender is legal, no restrictions in 33 regions.

Bangladesh 2013
Pakistan 2023
South Korea 2020
Taiwan 2021
Europe (16)
Andorra 2023
Belgium 2018
Croatia 2014
Cyprus 2022
Denmark 2014
Finland 2023
France 2018
Greece 2017
Iceland 2019
Ireland 2015
Luxembourg 2018
Norway 2016
Portugal 2018
Switzerland 2022
North America (3)
Canada 2017
Costa Rica 2018
Mexico 2009
Botswana 2017
Mozambique 2004
Oceania (1)
New Zealand 2023
South America (7)
Argentina 2012
Bolivia 2016
Brazil 2018
Colombia 2015
Ecuador 2016
Uruguay 2018

Legal, but requires medical diagnosis

Right to change legal gender is legal, but requires medical diagnosis in 22 regions.

Israel 2014
Sri Lanka 2016
Uzbekistan 1998
Europe (15)
Austria 2009
Belarus 2010
Estonia 1999
Germany 2011
Lithuania 2022
Netherlands 2013
Poland 1995
Serbia 2019
Slovakia 2023
Slovenia 2005
Sweden 2013
Ukraine 2016
United Kingdom 2005
Angola 2015
South Africa 2004
South America (1)

Legal, but requires surgery

Right to change legal gender is legal, but requires surgery in 33 regions.

Indonesia 1973
Kazakhstan 2011
Kyrgyzstan 2020
Lebanon 2016
Mongolia 2009
Singapore 1996
Turkmenistan 1972
Vietnam 2017
Europe (11)
Armenia 1972
Azerbaijan 1972
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Czech Republic 1975
Georgia 2008
Kosovo 1989
Latvia 2012
North Macedonia 2019
Romania 1996
Turkey 2017
North America (2)
Panama 1972
Tunisia 2018
Zimbabwe 1986

Right to change legal gender is illegal in 96 regions.

Afghanistan
Malaysia 1983
North Korea
Philippines 2007
Saudi Arabia
Timor-Leste
United Arab Emirates 2019
Albania 2009
Bulgaria 2023
Hungary 2020
Russia 2023
Vatican City
North America (16)
Dominican Republic
El Salvador 2017
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
Africa (41)
Burkina Faso
Central African Republic
CÃ´te dâIvoire
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Republic of the Congo
Sao Tome and Principe
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Oceania (11)
Federated States of Micronesia
Marshall Islands
Papua New Guinea
Solomon Islands
South America (4)
Suriname 2022

No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous

Data on right to change legal gender is unclear, not applicable, or missing in 13 regions.

Liechtenstein
Antigua and Barbuda
United States
Oceania (2)
Antarctica (1)

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gender reassignment

Definition of gender reassignment

Note: This term is sometimes considered to be offensive in its implication that a transgender or nonbinary person takes on a different gender, rather than making changes to align their outward appearance and presentation with their gender identity. Gender transition is the preferred term in the medical and LGBTQ+ communities.

Word History

1969, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Articles Related to gender reassignment

crowd of people seen from above crossing a street

Merriam-Webster's Short List of Gender...

Merriam-Webster's Short List of Gender and Identity Terms

In case you (or someone you know) has questions about what they mean

Dictionary Entries Near gender reassignment

genderqueer

gender reassignment surgery

Cite this Entry

“Gender reassignment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gender%20reassignment. Accessed 3 Jul. 2024.

Medical Definition

Medical definition of gender reassignment.

Note: This term is sometimes considered to be offensive in its implication that a transgender or nonbinary person takes on a different gender, rather than makes changes to align their outward appearance and presentation with their gender identity. Gender transition is the preferred term in the medical and LGBTQ+ communities.

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FMLA Discrimination

Gender reassignment surgery and the FMLA

On Behalf of Law Office of William M. Julien, P.A. | Oct 27, 2016 | FMLA Discrimination

Some transgender peopleundergo gender reassignment surgery to complete their transition. Though this type of surgery requires hospitalization, it is unclear whether a transgender worker can take legally protected time off from work to undergo the procedure. Under the Family and Medical Leave Act, eligible employees in Florida and around the country can take 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year in order to address serious health conditions.

Transgender employment rights and discrimination issues are being discussed more lately, but many of the discussions are still theoretical. So far, there have not been any employment discrimination claims filed over gender reassignment surgery and the FMLA. If a transgender worker was denied FMLA leave for gender reassignment surgery, the worker could raise the issue in court. How a judge would rule in that type of case is still unknown.

Some people in the legal community believe that a transgender worker could take FMLA leave for gender reassignment surgery as long as the worker’s doctor says that the surgery is necessary to alleviate the worker’s depression. Because depression is considered a serious health condition, its treatment is protected under the FMLA. Other people have argued that gender reassignment surgery is a cosmetic procedure that is not protected under the FMLA.

Though there is disagreement about how federal employment laws apply to transgender workers, many transgender workers have filed employment discrimination claims with the EEOC. However, FMLA claims are handled by the U.S. Department of Labor, and people who feel that they have been unfairly denied leave may want to have FMLA discrimination law firm assistance .

Biden Officials Pushed to Remove Age Limits for Trans Surgery, Documents Show

Newly released emails from an influential group issuing transgender medical guidelines indicate that U.S. health officials lobbied to remove age minimums for surgery in minors because of concerns over political fallout.

Rachel Levine, wearing an admiral’s uniform, speaks to someone half out of frame.

By Azeen Ghorayshi

Health officials in the Biden administration pressed an international group of medical experts to remove age limits for adolescent surgeries from guidelines for care of transgender minors, according to newly unsealed court documents.

Age minimums, officials feared, could fuel growing political opposition to such treatments.

Email excerpts from members of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health recount how staff for Adm. Rachel Levine, assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services and herself a transgender woman, urged them to drop the proposed limits from the group’s guidelines and apparently succeeded.

If and when teenagers should be allowed to undergo transgender treatments and surgeries has become a raging debate within the political world. Opponents say teenagers are too young to make such decisions, but supporters including an array of medical experts posit that young people with gender dysphoria face depression and worsening distress if their issues go unaddressed.

In the United States, setting age limits was controversial from the start.

The draft guidelines, released in late 2021, recommended lowering the age minimums to 14 for hormonal treatments, 15 for mastectomies, 16 for breast augmentation or facial surgeries, and 17 for genital surgeries or hysterectomies.

The proposed age limits were eliminated in the final guidelines outlining standards of care , spurring concerns within the international group and with outside experts as to why the age proposals had vanished.

The email excerpts released this week shed light on possible reasons for those guideline changes, and highlight Admiral Levine’s role as a top point person on transgender issues in the Biden administration. The excerpts are legal filings in a federal lawsuit challenging Alabama’s ban on gender-affirming care.

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Opinion Columnists | Cal Thomas: Supremes to rule on transgender law

Opinion Columnists

As with abortion and “climate change,” the nomenclature and the way the media ignore information contrary to the secular progressive worldview helps shape public opinion.

“Gender-affirming care” is the preferred label, or “transgender health care,” as is “reproductive rights” on that other issue.

Gender dysphoria is the medical diagnosis. Dictionary.com defines it as “a psychological condition marked by significant emotional distress and impairment in life functioning, caused by a lack of congruence between gender identity and sex assigned at birth.”

The only part I disagree with is “gender assigned at birth.” One is born male or female. In my opinion, anything else is psychological, as the definition states, or influenced by culture.

Minor children are prohibited from many things. We used to agree on boundaries for certain behavior, but the secular left has been busy from the 1960s erasing boundaries, except the ones they prefer.

As with abortion where the media rarely do stories about women who regretted their decision, so it is with their coverage of “transgender youth.” One almost never reads or sees stories about people who have had gender-reassignment surgery and have regretted it.

World , a Christian news magazine popular among evangelical Christians, decided to find and interview some of those people. Admittedly they appear few in number, but by telling their stories it conveys information that especially young people should consider before experiencing the consequences of surgery, which include an inability to have children.

Ritchie Herron of the UK is one of several stories reported by World. Herron, who was born male, had surgery to change his body parts to female: “Herron’s surgery lasted over twice as long as planned. Major blood loss required a blood transfusion. When he came to his senses days later, his surgeon wheeled over to his bedside with a bright procedure light and showed him the result. Herron gasped at the sight of the wound and was instantly flooded with regret.

“’When I finally got out of bed and stood in the full-length mirror I just broke down. It was horrible’…”

“Five years after his surgery, Herron is living life as a man. But the nightmare is hardly over. He suffers from serious complications related to the vaginoplasty and other treatments. His symptoms include pain, urogenital disorders and sexual dysfunction. He is suing (Britain’s) National Health Service for the permanent damage done to his body.”

As World reported: “National Health Service (has) confirmed it would no longer routinely prescribe puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria. But many doctors have no qualms about such protocols. Files leaked from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and published on March 4 in World revealed member doctors encouraging one another to prescribe transgender interventions to patients as young as 9 – including hormones and surgeries – even as some doctors expressed uncertainty. Currently, U.S. gender clinics rely on WPATH’s pro-transgender guidelines for treating kids.”

There are other stories of people who regretted their decisions, but most were adults. No minor child should be allowed to make such a decision and no parent should allow them to make it. Psychological and spiritual counseling have worked for others and like a lot of stuff teens and pre-teens go through, many will work their way out of what some critics have called a fad.

The Supreme Court should affirm state laws banning the procedure for minor children and parents should seek help for any child experiencing gender identity issues.

Readers may email Cal Thomas at [email protected] . Look for Cal Thomas’ latest book “A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America” (HumanixBooks).

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5 most common reasons people seek gender reassignment surgery

By Health IQ digital
Jul 03, 2024

Gender reassignment surgery, also known as a sex change, is a deeply personal and significant decision that many individuals make to align their physical appearance with their gender identity. This life-changing process involves a series of medical procedures that transform an individual’s physical attributes to match their identified gender. While the decision to undergo a sex change is unique to each person, certain common reasons often motivate this transformative journey. Understanding these reasons can provide insight into the experiences and challenges faced by transgender individuals.

Gender dysphoria

One of the most prevalent reasons people seek a sex change is gender dysphoria. This condition is characterized by a profound sense of discomfort or distress due to a mismatch between an individual’s gender identity and their assigned sex at birth. Gender dysphoria can lead to significant emotional and psychological distress, affecting one’s mental health and overall well-being. For many, transitioning through a gender reassignment surgery is a critical step in alleviating the intense feelings of incongruence and achieving a sense of alignment with their true self.

The impact of gender dysphoria

The impact of gender dysphoria can be far-reaching, influencing various aspects of an individual’s life. Many individuals report feeling trapped in a body that does not reflect their true gender, leading to anxiety, depression and social isolation. The process of transitioning can provide immense relief and a sense of liberation, allowing individuals to live authentically and comfortably in their own skin.

Authentic self-expression

Another common reason people seek gender reassignment surgery is the desire for authentic self-expression. For many transgender individuals, living in a body that does not match their gender identity can feel like living a lie. The journey of transitioning allows individuals to express themselves genuinely, both physically and emotionally. This authenticity can foster greater self-esteem, confidence and overall happiness.

The role of self-expression in transitioning

Authentic self-expression goes beyond physical changes; it encompasses the ability to present oneself in a way that aligns with one’s true identity. This might include changes in clothing, hairstyle, voice and behavior. By aligning their external appearance with their internal sense of self, transgender individuals can experience a profound sense of congruence and fulfillment.

Social and legal recognition

The pursuit of social and legal recognition is another significant motivator for those seeking gender reassignment surgery. In many societies, being recognized and treated as one’s identified gender is crucial for navigating everyday life and accessing various rights and privileges. Legal recognition — such as changing one’s name and gender marker on official documents — can help individuals feel validated and respected in their gender identity.

Challenges in achieving recognition

Achieving social and legal recognition can be challenging, as societal attitudes and legal frameworks vary widely across different regions. Transgender individuals often face discrimination and barriers when seeking to update their identification documents or gain acceptance in their communities. However, the process of transitioning can empower individuals to advocate for their rights and seek the recognition they deserve.

Improved mental health

Mental health improvements are a compelling reason for many to undergo gender reassignment surgery. The mental health struggles associated with gender dysphoria and living inauthentically can be severe, often leading to depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. Transitioning can significantly improve mental health outcomes by reducing the distress caused by gender incongruence and enabling individuals to live more fulfilling lives.

The mental health benefits of transitioning

Research has shown that transitioning can have positive effects on mental health, including reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, increased life satisfaction and improved overall well-being. By aligning their physical appearance with their gender identity, transgender individuals can experience a greater sense of peace and contentment.

Personal relationships

The desire to improve personal relationships is another reason why people seek gender reassignment surgery. Gender dysphoria and living in a body that does not match one’s identity can strain relationships with family, friends and romantic partners. Transitioning can help individuals build more authentic and meaningful connections with others, as they are able to present themselves genuinely and without the burden of hiding their true identity.

Navigating relationships during transition

Navigating relationships during and after transitioning can be complex, as it often requires education, understanding and support from loved ones. Open communication and a willingness to adapt are crucial for maintaining healthy relationships. For many, the journey of transitioning strengthens their connections with others, leading to more supportive and fulfilling personal relationships.

The profound impact of gender reassignment surgery

The decision to undergo gender reassignment surgery is multifaceted and deeply personal, driven by a range of factors including gender dysphoria, the desire for authentic self-expression, the pursuit of social and legal recognition, improved mental health and the enhancement of personal relationships. Each individual’s journey is unique, yet the common threads that connect these experiences highlight the profound impact of aligning one’s physical appearance with their gender identity.

As society continues to evolve in its understanding and acceptance of transgender individuals, it is essential to recognize and support the diverse reasons that lead people to seek gender reassignment surgery. By doing so, we can foster a more inclusive and compassionate world where everyone has the opportunity to live authentically and with dignity .

This story was created using AI technology.

gender dysphoria , gender reassignment surgery , legal recognition , mental health , News2 , personal relationships , sex change , social recognition , transgender individuals , transitioning

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Opinion: Supreme Court agrees to take on Tennessee case of ‘gender care’ for minors

June 30, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.

by Cal Thomas / Tribune Content Agency

Photo/Eric Lee/The New York Times / The Supreme Court, shown here on June 21, 2024, agreed on Monday, June 24, 2024, to decide whether a Tennessee law that bans certain medical treatments for transgender minors violates the Constitution.

As if current Supreme Court cases were not controversial enough, the justices have accepted an appeal by the Biden administration "seeking to block state bans on gender-affirming care for minors." Notice that the media only declare something "controversial" when rulings go against the favored position of liberal elites.

As with abortion and "climate change," the nomenclature and the way the media ignore information contrary to the secular progressive worldview help shape public opinion.

"Gender-affirming care" is the preferred label, or "transgender health care."

Gender dysphoria is the medical diagnosis. Dictionary.com defines it as "a psychological condition marked by significant emotional distress and impairment in life functioning, caused by a lack of congruence between gender identity and sex assigned at birth."

The only part I disagree with is "gender assigned at birth." One is born male or female. In my opinion, anything else is psychological, as the definition states, or influenced by culture.

Minor children are prohibited from many things. We used to agree on boundaries for certain behavior, but the secular left has been busy from the 1960s erasing boundaries, except the ones they prefer.

As with abortion, where the media rarely do stories about women who regretted their decision, so it is with coverage of "transgender youth." One almost never reads or sees stories about people who have had gender-reassignment surgery and have regretted it.

World, a Christian news magazine, decided to find and interview some of those people. Admittedly they appear few, but by telling their stories it conveys information that especially young people should consider before experiencing the consequences of surgery, which include an inability to have children.

Ritchie Herron of the UK is one of several stories reported by World. Herron, who was born male, had surgery to change his body parts to female: "Herron's surgery lasted over twice as long as planned. Major blood loss required a blood transfusion. When he came to his senses days later, his surgeon wheeled over to his bedside with a bright procedure light and showed him the result. Herron gasped at the sight of the wound and was instantly flooded with regret.

"'When I finally got out of bed and stood in the full-length mirror I just broke down. It was horrible' ..."

"Five years after his surgery, Herron is living life as a man. But the nightmare is hardly over. He suffers from serious complications related to the vaginoplasty and other treatments. His symptoms include pain, urogenital disorders and sexual dysfunction. He is suing (Britain's) National Health Service for the permanent damage done to his body."

As World reported: "National Health Service (has) confirmed it would no longer routinely prescribe puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria. But many doctors have no qualms about such protocols. Files leaked from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and published on March 4 in World revealed member doctors encouraging one another to prescribe transgender interventions to patients as young as 9 — including hormones and surgeries — even as some doctors expressed uncertainty."

There are other stories of people who regretted their decisions, but most were adults. No minor child should be allowed to make such a decision, and no parent should allow them to make it.

The Supreme Court should affirm state laws banning the procedure for minor children, and parents should seek help for any child experiencing gender identity issues.

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Medical terms in lay language.

Please use these descriptions in place of medical jargon in consent documents, recruitment materials and other study documents. Note: These terms are not the only acceptable plain language alternatives for these vocabulary words.

This glossary of terms is derived from a list copyrighted by the University of Kentucky, Office of Research Integrity (1990).

For clinical research-specific definitions, see also the Clinical Research Glossary developed by the Multi-Regional Clinical Trials (MRCT) Center of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard and the Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC) .

Alternative Lay Language for Medical Terms for use in Informed Consent Documents

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

ABDOMEN/ABDOMINAL body cavity below diaphragm that contains stomach, intestines, liver and other organs ABSORB take up fluids, take in ACIDOSIS condition when blood contains more acid than normal ACUITY clearness, keenness, esp. of vision and airways ACUTE new, recent, sudden, urgent ADENOPATHY swollen lymph nodes (glands) ADJUVANT helpful, assisting, aiding, supportive ADJUVANT TREATMENT added treatment (usually to a standard treatment) ANTIBIOTIC drug that kills bacteria and other germs ANTIMICROBIAL drug that kills bacteria and other germs ANTIRETROVIRAL drug that works against the growth of certain viruses ADVERSE EFFECT side effect, bad reaction, unwanted response ALLERGIC REACTION rash, hives, swelling, trouble breathing AMBULATE/AMBULATION/AMBULATORY walk, able to walk ANAPHYLAXIS serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction ANEMIA decreased red blood cells; low red cell blood count ANESTHETIC a drug or agent used to decrease the feeling of pain, or eliminate the feeling of pain by putting you to sleep ANGINA pain resulting from not enough blood flowing to the heart ANGINA PECTORIS pain resulting from not enough blood flowing to the heart ANOREXIA disorder in which person will not eat; lack of appetite ANTECUBITAL related to the inner side of the forearm ANTIBODY protein made in the body in response to foreign substance ANTICONVULSANT drug used to prevent seizures ANTILIPEMIC a drug that lowers fat levels in the blood ANTITUSSIVE a drug used to relieve coughing ARRHYTHMIA abnormal heartbeat; any change from the normal heartbeat ASPIRATION fluid entering the lungs, such as after vomiting ASSAY lab test ASSESS to learn about, measure, evaluate, look at ASTHMA lung disease associated with tightening of air passages, making breathing difficult ASYMPTOMATIC without symptoms AXILLA armpit

BENIGN not malignant, without serious consequences BID twice a day BINDING/BOUND carried by, to make stick together, transported BIOAVAILABILITY the extent to which a drug or other substance becomes available to the body BLOOD PROFILE series of blood tests BOLUS a large amount given all at once BONE MASS the amount of calcium and other minerals in a given amount of bone BRADYARRHYTHMIAS slow, irregular heartbeats BRADYCARDIA slow heartbeat BRONCHOSPASM breathing distress caused by narrowing of the airways

CARCINOGENIC cancer-causing CARCINOMA type of cancer CARDIAC related to the heart CARDIOVERSION return to normal heartbeat by electric shock CATHETER a tube for withdrawing or giving fluids CATHETER a tube placed near the spinal cord and used for anesthesia (indwelling epidural) during surgery CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) brain and spinal cord CEREBRAL TRAUMA damage to the brain CESSATION stopping CHD coronary heart disease CHEMOTHERAPY treatment of disease, usually cancer, by chemical agents CHRONIC continuing for a long time, ongoing CLINICAL pertaining to medical care CLINICAL TRIAL an experiment involving human subjects COMA unconscious state COMPLETE RESPONSE total disappearance of disease CONGENITAL present before birth CONJUNCTIVITIS redness and irritation of the thin membrane that covers the eye CONSOLIDATION PHASE treatment phase intended to make a remission permanent (follows induction phase) CONTROLLED TRIAL research study in which the experimental treatment or procedure is compared to a standard (control) treatment or procedure COOPERATIVE GROUP association of multiple institutions to perform clinical trials CORONARY related to the blood vessels that supply the heart, or to the heart itself CT SCAN (CAT) computerized series of x-rays (computerized tomography) CULTURE test for infection, or for organisms that could cause infection CUMULATIVE added together from the beginning CUTANEOUS relating to the skin CVA stroke (cerebrovascular accident)

DERMATOLOGIC pertaining to the skin DIASTOLIC lower number in a blood pressure reading DISTAL toward the end, away from the center of the body DIURETIC "water pill" or drug that causes increase in urination DOPPLER device using sound waves to diagnose or test DOUBLE BLIND study in which neither investigators nor subjects know what drug or treatment the subject is receiving DYSFUNCTION state of improper function DYSPLASIA abnormal cells

ECHOCARDIOGRAM sound wave test of the heart EDEMA excess fluid collecting in tissue EEG electric brain wave tracing (electroencephalogram) EFFICACY effectiveness ELECTROCARDIOGRAM electrical tracing of the heartbeat (ECG or EKG) ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE an imbalance of minerals in the blood EMESIS vomiting EMPIRIC based on experience ENDOSCOPIC EXAMINATION viewing an internal part of the body with a lighted tube ENTERAL by way of the intestines EPIDURAL outside the spinal cord ERADICATE get rid of (such as disease) Page 2 of 7 EVALUATED, ASSESSED examined for a medical condition EXPEDITED REVIEW rapid review of a protocol by the IRB Chair without full committee approval, permitted with certain low-risk research studies EXTERNAL outside the body EXTRAVASATE to leak outside of a planned area, such as out of a blood vessel

FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the branch of federal government that approves new drugs FIBROUS having many fibers, such as scar tissue FIBRILLATION irregular beat of the heart or other muscle

GENERAL ANESTHESIA pain prevention by giving drugs to cause loss of consciousness, as during surgery GESTATIONAL pertaining to pregnancy

HEMATOCRIT amount of red blood cells in the blood HEMATOMA a bruise, a black and blue mark HEMODYNAMIC MEASURING blood flow HEMOLYSIS breakdown in red blood cells HEPARIN LOCK needle placed in the arm with blood thinner to keep the blood from clotting HEPATOMA cancer or tumor of the liver HERITABLE DISEASE can be transmitted to one’s offspring, resulting in damage to future children HISTOPATHOLOGIC pertaining to the disease status of body tissues or cells HOLTER MONITOR a portable machine for recording heart beats HYPERCALCEMIA high blood calcium level HYPERKALEMIA high blood potassium level HYPERNATREMIA high blood sodium level HYPERTENSION high blood pressure HYPOCALCEMIA low blood calcium level HYPOKALEMIA low blood potassium level HYPONATREMIA low blood sodium level HYPOTENSION low blood pressure HYPOXEMIA a decrease of oxygen in the blood HYPOXIA a decrease of oxygen reaching body tissues HYSTERECTOMY surgical removal of the uterus, ovaries (female sex glands), or both uterus and ovaries

IATROGENIC caused by a physician or by treatment IDE investigational device exemption, the license to test an unapproved new medical device IDIOPATHIC of unknown cause IMMUNITY defense against, protection from IMMUNOGLOBIN a protein that makes antibodies IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE drug which works against the body's immune (protective) response, often used in transplantation and diseases caused by immune system malfunction IMMUNOTHERAPY giving of drugs to help the body's immune (protective) system; usually used to destroy cancer cells IMPAIRED FUNCTION abnormal function IMPLANTED placed in the body IND investigational new drug, the license to test an unapproved new drug INDUCTION PHASE beginning phase or stage of a treatment INDURATION hardening INDWELLING remaining in a given location, such as a catheter INFARCT death of tissue due to lack of blood supply INFECTIOUS DISEASE transmitted from one person to the next INFLAMMATION swelling that is generally painful, red, and warm INFUSION slow injection of a substance into the body, usually into the blood by means of a catheter INGESTION eating; taking by mouth INTERFERON drug which acts against viruses; antiviral agent INTERMITTENT occurring (regularly or irregularly) between two time points; repeatedly stopping, then starting again INTERNAL within the body INTERIOR inside of the body INTRAMUSCULAR into the muscle; within the muscle INTRAPERITONEAL into the abdominal cavity INTRATHECAL into the spinal fluid INTRAVENOUS (IV) through the vein INTRAVESICAL in the bladder INTUBATE the placement of a tube into the airway INVASIVE PROCEDURE puncturing, opening, or cutting the skin INVESTIGATIONAL NEW DRUG (IND) a new drug that has not been approved by the FDA INVESTIGATIONAL METHOD a treatment method which has not been proven to be beneficial or has not been accepted as standard care ISCHEMIA decreased oxygen in a tissue (usually because of decreased blood flow)

LAPAROTOMY surgical procedure in which an incision is made in the abdominal wall to enable a doctor to look at the organs inside LESION wound or injury; a diseased patch of skin LETHARGY sleepiness, tiredness LEUKOPENIA low white blood cell count LIPID fat LIPID CONTENT fat content in the blood LIPID PROFILE (PANEL) fat and cholesterol levels in the blood LOCAL ANESTHESIA creation of insensitivity to pain in a small, local area of the body, usually by injection of numbing drugs LOCALIZED restricted to one area, limited to one area LUMEN the cavity of an organ or tube (e.g., blood vessel) LYMPHANGIOGRAPHY an x-ray of the lymph nodes or tissues after injecting dye into lymph vessels (e.g., in feet) LYMPHOCYTE a type of white blood cell important in immunity (protection) against infection LYMPHOMA a cancer of the lymph nodes (or tissues)

MALAISE a vague feeling of bodily discomfort, feeling badly MALFUNCTION condition in which something is not functioning properly MALIGNANCY cancer or other progressively enlarging and spreading tumor, usually fatal if not successfully treated MEDULLABLASTOMA a type of brain tumor MEGALOBLASTOSIS change in red blood cells METABOLIZE process of breaking down substances in the cells to obtain energy METASTASIS spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another METRONIDAZOLE drug used to treat infections caused by parasites (invading organisms that take up living in the body) or other causes of anaerobic infection (not requiring oxygen to survive) MI myocardial infarction, heart attack MINIMAL slight MINIMIZE reduce as much as possible Page 4 of 7 MONITOR check on; keep track of; watch carefully MOBILITY ease of movement MORBIDITY undesired result or complication MORTALITY death MOTILITY the ability to move MRI magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostic pictures of the inside of the body, created using magnetic rather than x-ray energy MUCOSA, MUCOUS MEMBRANE moist lining of digestive, respiratory, reproductive, and urinary tracts MYALGIA muscle aches MYOCARDIAL pertaining to the heart muscle MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION heart attack

NASOGASTRIC TUBE placed in the nose, reaching to the stomach NCI the National Cancer Institute NECROSIS death of tissue NEOPLASIA/NEOPLASM tumor, may be benign or malignant NEUROBLASTOMA a cancer of nerve tissue NEUROLOGICAL pertaining to the nervous system NEUTROPENIA decrease in the main part of the white blood cells NIH the National Institutes of Health NONINVASIVE not breaking, cutting, or entering the skin NOSOCOMIAL acquired in the hospital

OCCLUSION closing; blockage; obstruction ONCOLOGY the study of tumors or cancer OPHTHALMIC pertaining to the eye OPTIMAL best, most favorable or desirable ORAL ADMINISTRATION by mouth ORTHOPEDIC pertaining to the bones OSTEOPETROSIS rare bone disorder characterized by dense bone OSTEOPOROSIS softening of the bones OVARIES female sex glands

PARENTERAL given by injection PATENCY condition of being open PATHOGENESIS development of a disease or unhealthy condition PERCUTANEOUS through the skin PERIPHERAL not central PER OS (PO) by mouth PHARMACOKINETICS the study of the way the body absorbs, distributes, and gets rid of a drug PHASE I first phase of study of a new drug in humans to determine action, safety, and proper dosing PHASE II second phase of study of a new drug in humans, intended to gather information about safety and effectiveness of the drug for certain uses PHASE III large-scale studies to confirm and expand information on safety and effectiveness of new drug for certain uses, and to study common side effects PHASE IV studies done after the drug is approved by the FDA, especially to compare it to standard care or to try it for new uses PHLEBITIS irritation or inflammation of the vein PLACEBO an inactive substance; a pill/liquid that contains no medicine PLACEBO EFFECT improvement seen with giving subjects a placebo, though it contains no active drug/treatment PLATELETS small particles in the blood that help with clotting POTENTIAL possible POTENTIATE increase or multiply the effect of a drug or toxin (poison) by giving another drug or toxin at the same time (sometimes an unintentional result) POTENTIATOR an agent that helps another agent work better PRENATAL before birth PROPHYLAXIS a drug given to prevent disease or infection PER OS (PO) by mouth PRN as needed PROGNOSIS outlook, probable outcomes PRONE lying on the stomach PROSPECTIVE STUDY following patients forward in time PROSTHESIS artificial part, most often limbs, such as arms or legs PROTOCOL plan of study PROXIMAL closer to the center of the body, away from the end PULMONARY pertaining to the lungs

QD every day; daily QID four times a day

RADIATION THERAPY x-ray or cobalt treatment RANDOM by chance (like the flip of a coin) RANDOMIZATION chance selection RBC red blood cell RECOMBINANT formation of new combinations of genes RECONSTITUTION putting back together the original parts or elements RECUR happen again REFRACTORY not responding to treatment REGENERATION re-growth of a structure or of lost tissue REGIMEN pattern of giving treatment RELAPSE the return of a disease REMISSION disappearance of evidence of cancer or other disease RENAL pertaining to the kidneys REPLICABLE possible to duplicate RESECT remove or cut out surgically RETROSPECTIVE STUDY looking back over past experience

SARCOMA a type of cancer SEDATIVE a drug to calm or make less anxious SEMINOMA a type of testicular cancer (found in the male sex glands) SEQUENTIALLY in a row, in order SOMNOLENCE sleepiness SPIROMETER an instrument to measure the amount of air taken into and exhaled from the lungs STAGING an evaluation of the extent of the disease STANDARD OF CARE a treatment plan that the majority of the medical community would accept as appropriate STENOSIS narrowing of a duct, tube, or one of the blood vessels in the heart STOMATITIS mouth sores, inflammation of the mouth STRATIFY arrange in groups for analysis of results (e.g., stratify by age, sex, etc.) STUPOR stunned state in which it is difficult to get a response or the attention of the subject SUBCLAVIAN under the collarbone SUBCUTANEOUS under the skin SUPINE lying on the back SUPPORTIVE CARE general medical care aimed at symptoms, not intended to improve or cure underlying disease SYMPTOMATIC having symptoms SYNDROME a condition characterized by a set of symptoms SYSTOLIC top number in blood pressure; pressure during active contraction of the heart

TERATOGENIC capable of causing malformations in a fetus (developing baby still inside the mother’s body) TESTES/TESTICLES male sex glands THROMBOSIS clotting THROMBUS blood clot TID three times a day TITRATION a method for deciding on the strength of a drug or solution; gradually increasing the dose T-LYMPHOCYTES type of white blood cells TOPICAL on the surface TOPICAL ANESTHETIC applied to a certain area of the skin and reducing pain only in the area to which applied TOXICITY side effects or undesirable effects of a drug or treatment TRANSDERMAL through the skin TRANSIENTLY temporarily TRAUMA injury; wound TREADMILL walking machine used to test heart function

UPTAKE absorbing and taking in of a substance by living tissue

VALVULOPLASTY plastic repair of a valve, especially a heart valve VARICES enlarged veins VASOSPASM narrowing of the blood vessels VECTOR a carrier that can transmit disease-causing microorganisms (germs and viruses) VENIPUNCTURE needle stick, blood draw, entering the skin with a needle VERTICAL TRANSMISSION spread of disease

WBC white blood cell

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COMMENTS

State Laws on Gender-Affirming Care
Arkansas was the first state to pass a law outlawing gender-affirming care for minors . In 2021, the state legislature passed a bill banning gender surgery and hormone therapy for minors. The law was challenged in federal court and barred by a preliminary injunction. The state's appellate court upheld the injunction. This means the ban will not ...
Gender-affirming surgery
Gender-affirming surgery is a surgical procedure, or series of procedures, that alters a person's physical appearance and sexual characteristics to resemble those associated with their identified gender.The phrase is most often associated with transgender health care and intersex medical interventions, although many such treatments are also pursued by cisgender and non-intersex individuals.
Gender-affirming surgery (male-to-female)
Gender-affirming surgery for male-to-female transgender women or transfeminine non-binary people describes a variety of surgical procedures that alter the body to provide physical traits more comfortable and affirming to an individual's gender identity and overall functioning.. Often used to refer to vaginoplasty, sex reassignment surgery can also more broadly refer to other gender-affirming ...
Things to know about the gender-affirming care case as the Supreme
The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday that it will hear arguments on the constitutionality of state bans on gender-affirming care for transgender minors.. The issue has emerged as a big one in the past few years. While transgender people have gained more visibility and acceptance in many respects, half the states have pushed back with laws banning certain health care services for transgender kids.
Legal status of gender-affirming healthcare
The legal status of gender-affirming surgery and gender-affirming hormone therapy varies by jurisdiction, often interacting with other facets of the legal status of transgender people.Key considerations include whether people are allowed to get such surgeries, at what ages they are allowed to if so, and whether surgeries are required in order for a gender transition to be legally recognized.
Overview of gender-affirming treatments and procedures
Transgender people may seek any one of a number of gender-affirming interventions, including hormone therapy, surgery, facial hair removal, interventions for the modification of speech and communication, and behavioral adaptations such as genital tucking or packing, or chest binding. All of these procedures have been defined as medically ...
Gender-Affirming Surgery (SRS): Guide to Transgender Surgery
Definition of SRS. Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS), also known as gender affirmation surgery or gender-confirming surgery, is a medical procedure that alters an individual's physical characteristics to align with their gender identity. In other words, it's a way to help transgender people feel more comfortable in their bodies.
Gender Affirmation Surgeries: Common Questions and Answers
Gender affirmation surgery, also known as gender confirmation surgery, is performed to align or transition individuals with gender dysphoria to their true gender. A transgender woman, man, or non-binary person may choose to undergo gender affirmation surgery. The term "transexual" was previously used by the medical community to describe people ...
Gender-affirming surgery
gender-affirming surgery, medical procedure in which the physical sex characteristics of an individual are modified. Gender-affirming surgery typically is undertaken when an individual chooses to align their physical appearance with their gender identity, enabling the individual to achieve a greater sense of self and helping to reduce psychological distress that may be associated with gender ...
What is gender reassignment
What is gender reassignment A decision to undertake gender reassignment is made when an individual feels that his or her gender at birth does not match their gender identity. This is called 'gender dysphoria' and is a recognised medical condition. Gender reassignment refers to individuals, whether staff, who either: Have undergone, intend ...
Gender reassignment surgery: an overview
Gender reassignment surgery is a series of complex surgical procedures (genital and nongenital) performed for the treatment of gender dysphoria. Genital procedures performed for gender dysphoria, such as vaginoplasty, clitorolabioplasty, penectomy and orchidectomy in male-to-female transsexuals, and penile and scrotal reconstruction in female ...
Gender Confirmation Surgery
The cost of transitioning can often exceed $100,000 in the United States, depending upon the procedures needed. A typical genitoplasty alone averages about $18,000. Rhinoplasty, or a nose job, averaged $5,409 in 2019. Insurance Coverage for Sex Reassignment Surgery.
Legal and identity documents
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health advocates a simple administrative procedure to change legal identity documents to match experienced gender. [1] While self-determination of legal gender is the law in a small (but growing) number of countries, including Argentina, Denmark, Malta, and Ireland, most countries require the ...
Stages of Gender Reassignment
Transgender people who do want gender reassignment surgery, however, must follow the standards of care for gender affirmation as defined by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). ... It's during the RLE that the transgender person often chooses a new name appropriate for the desired gender, and begins the legal name ...
What does the law say about children and sex reassignment surgery?
Castilla is right that there is no law regulating transition-related treatment separately from other medically-necessary care and the same age regulations apply — minors need parental consent ...
Sex, Lies, and Surgery: The Ethics of Gender Reassignment Surgery
Surgery, when combined with hormone therapy, is the only way to actually change a patient's outward appearance to make it look like that of the opposite gender. Only surgery has the power to change someone's physical sex. Thus, it cannot be argued that surgery has no place in the treatment of GIDs.
Gender-affirming surgery (female-to-male)
Gender-affirming surgery for female-to-male transgender people includes a variety of surgical procedures that alter anatomical traits to provide physical traits more comfortable to the trans man's male identity and functioning.. Often used to refer to phalloplasty, metoidoplasty, or vaginectomy, sex reassignment surgery can also more broadly refer to many procedures an individual may have ...
Right to change legal gender by country
Legal recognition of sex reassignment by permitting a change of legal gender on an individual's birth certificate. Summary. 32. Legal. 32 regions (16%) Legal. 55. ... Legal, but requires surgery. Right to change legal gender is legal, but requires surgery in 33 regions. Asia (16) China 1986; India 2019; Indonesia 1973; Iran 1987; Japan 2022 ...
White House says gender-affirming surgeries should be limited to adults
The Biden administration said it opposes gender-affirming surgery for transgender minors, deviating from past statements that broadly support gender-affirming health care for youth and angering LGB…
Gender reassignment Definition & Meaning
The meaning of GENDER REASSIGNMENT is a process by which a transgender or nonbinary person comes to live in accordance with their gender identity through changes to their appearance and presentation often with the aid of medical procedures and therapies : gender transition. How to use gender reassignment in a sentence.
Gender reassignment surgery and the FMLA
If a transgender worker was denied FMLA leave for gender reassignment surgery, the worker could raise the issue in court. How a judge would rule in that type of case is still unknown. Some people in the legal community believe that a transgender worker could take FMLA leave for gender reassignment surgery as long as the worker's doctor says ...
Biden Officials Pushed to Remove Age Limits for Trans Surgery
Newly released emails from an influential group issuing transgender medical guidelines indicate that U.S. health officials lobbied to remove age minimums for surgery in minors because of concerns ...
Cal Thomas: Supremes to rule on transgender law
"Gender-affirming care" is the preferred label, or "transgender health care," as is "reproductive rights" on that other issue. Gender dysphoria is the medical diagnosis.
Georgia's gender-affirming care law starts July 1
The law was passed back in March and prevents minors in the state of Georgia from being able to get gender reassignment surgery or hormone therapy.
5 most common reasons people seek gender reassignment surgery
Gender reassignment surgery, also known as a sex change, is a deeply personal and significant decision that many individuals make to align their physical appearance with their gender identity ...
gender reassignment surgery
gender reassignment surgery: Definition Also known as sex change surgery or sex reassignment surgery, gender reassignment surgery is a procedure that changes a person's external genital organs from those of one gender to those of the other. Purpose There are two reasons commonly given for altering the genital organs: Newborns with intersex ...
Opinion: Supreme Court agrees to take on Tennessee case of 'gender care
One almost never reads or sees stories about people who have had gender-reassignment surgery and have regretted it. World, a Christian news magazine, decided to find and interview some of those ...
Georgia parents of transgender children challenge state's ban on sex
Parents of four transgender children in Georgia filed a lawsuit challenging a state law prohibiting most sex reassignment surgeries and hormone replacement therapies for anyone under 18 years old ...
Georgian parliament gives initial approval to sweeping curbs on LGBT
Georgia's parliament on Thursday gave its initial approval to a set of bills containing sweeping curbs on LGBT rights, including bans on the "propaganda" of same-sex relationships and gender ...
Medical Terms in Lay Language
Please use these descriptions in place of medical jargon in consent documents, recruitment materials and other study documents. Note: These terms are not the only acceptable plain language alternatives for these vocabulary words.This glossary of terms is derived from a list copyrighted by the