Our Position on The Transgender GAC Issue

Executive Summary

We believe that there are only two sexes, male and female; that the transgender affirming care issue is a mental health issue with underlying causes that need to be explored, identified, and treated. We believe that grown adults are entitled to determine their own course of action on this topic but we in no way support the GAC protocol from WPATH or any other self-appointed entity, including the writing of letters to greenlight the process in minors.

Gender Affirming Care

We do not accept or believe the argument that "inclusion" means we have to accept historically recognized mental illness as a normal manifestation of personal choice. A condition's classification should be built upon peer-reviewed, scientific observation and data, not ideology and feelings. Additional drugs and surgery should never be the first line of treatment for mental health issues and doing so is nothing less than an attempt to make the physical presentation match the mental delusion.

We believe that viewing gender dysphoria as a treatable condition should not subject any clinician to potentially libelous/slanderous assaults from anyone especially other professional colleagues. The use of destructive language including, but not limited to, terms like "judgmental", "racist", "homophobe", "misogynist", "hate-(anything)" or any other derogatory pejorative is childish, unprofessional, and does nothing to advance our profession in the public mind.

Finally, we are not without compassion or understanding for pre-pubescent children with questions or confusion about their sexual identity, or post-puberty teens and young adults still experiencing issues with sexual identity. We have all experienced that to some degree. And there are plenty of compassionate counselors willing and able to help our next generation through their difficult time.