Perspectives of Gender-Diverse Youth and Caregivers Facing Gender-Affirming Medical Intervention Bans

Abstract

Purpose: In the past 2 years, nearly all 50 states have debated bills seeking to ban minors’ access to gender-affirming medical interventions, with many being passed into law. This study documents gender-diverse youths’ (GDY) and their caregivers’ experiences as they grapple with how such laws impact their families. Methods: Sixteen GDY and 16 caregivers participating in a longitudinal study of the impact of gender-affirming care on GDYs’ well-being were interviewed about how the legal and social discourse was impacting them and their families. When interviewed, some participants had completed only the initial intake, others had completed the intake and an initial medical consultation, and a few had recently started gender-affirming hormones. Thematic analysis was used to identify common threads in the youths’ and caregivers’ experiences. Results: Four main themes were identified: Direct effects of losing access to gender-affirming medical interventions, reflecting how losing access to care would impact well-being; growing hostility toward the gender-diverse community, noting increasing social negativity; personal and social upheaval, reflecting the many aspects of families’ lives affected; and galvanization into social action, documenting drives to effect social change. Conclusion: Laws banning gender-affirming medical interventions impact GDY and their families beyond limiting access to medical care. They increase the social stressors, cause social network disruptions, increase hostility toward the gender-diverse community, and lead some GDY and caregivers to engage more politically to protect their community. Gender-affirming health care providers need to recognize how the social and political environment impact GDY and their families to provide high-quality, person-centered care.