The Urgent Need to Protect Gender-Affirming Care: A Psychological Perspective on Delaware's Senate Bill 55

The Urgent Need to Protect Gender-Affirming Care: A Psychological Perspective on Delaware's Senate Bill 55

The Urgent Need to Protect Gender-Affirming Care: A Psychological Perspective on Delaware's Senate Bill 55


Introduction

Gender identity has been a part of human experience throughout history. However, for transgender and gender-diverse individuals, the journey towards self-acceptance often involves overcoming societal misunderstanding and discrimination. Recent legislative measures, such as Delaware's Senate Bill 55, aim to restrict access to gender-affirming care for minors. From a psychological standpoint, these policies raise significant ethical concerns and pose a serious threat to the well-being of transgender youth.


Historical Context of Gender Diversity

Gender diversity isn't a new phenomenon. Many cultures have long recognized and respected non-binary and transgender identities. For instance, numerous Indigenous cultures in North America acknowledge Two-Spirit individuals. Similarly, South Asian cultures have historically recognized hijras. Despite this rich history, Western societies have often marginalized transgender individuals, leading to systemic discrimination and mental health disparities.


The Psychological Impact of Denying Gender-Affirming Care

Research consistently shows that transgender and gender-diverse youth face higher rates of psychological distress compared to their cisgender peers. This distress stems from societal stigma, discrimination, and lack of access to supportive resources. Gender dysphoria can lead to significant mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.


Access to gender-affirming care, which can include counseling, hormone therapy, and sometimes surgery, has been shown to alleviate these symptoms. Studies, such as those published in JAMA Network Open, have found significant reductions in depression and suicidality among transgender and nonbinary youth who receive this care. Conversely, denying such care can worsen mental health issues, increasing the risk of self-harm and suicide attempts.

 

The Role of Misinformation and Social Media's Impact

In today's digital age, social media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion and discourse. Unfortunately, it also serves as a platform for the rapid spread of misinformation. This is particularly harmful to transgender and gender-diverse youth, who are often targeted by negative campaigns and false narratives.

  • The Spread of Misinformation: Social media algorithms can inadvertently amplify sensational and often untrue stories about transgender individuals and gender-affirming care. This misinformation can create a distorted view of reality, leading to fear, prejudice, and discriminatory attitudes. Common false claims include:

    • That gender-affirming care is experimental. This claim is inaccurate. Gender-affirming care follows established medical and psychological guidelines developed by reputable organizations like the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). These guidelines are based on extensive research and clinical experience, not experimental treatments.

    • That all transgender youth undergo surgery. This is a gross misrepresentation. Gender-affirming care encompasses a wide range of supportive measures. For many youth, it primarily involves social affirmation (e.g., using correct names and pronouns) and psychological support. Medical interventions like puberty blockers or hormone therapy may be considered in some cases but are not universally applied. Surgical procedures are rare for minors and are subject to strict guidelines and parental consent.

    • That children are too young to know their gender identity. Research indicates that gender identity develops early in life, and children can have a strong sense of their gender even before puberty. Forcing children to conform to a gender identity that doesn't align with their internal sense of self can cause significant psychological distress. Validating and supporting a child's gender identity is crucial for their mental health and well-being.

      • Reference: Olson, K. R., Durwood, L., & McLaughlin, K. A. (2016). Mental health of transgender children. Pediatrics, 137(3), e20154183. [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8867512/](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8867512/).

  • Impact on Mental Health: Transgender and gender-diverse youth often turn to social media for community and support. While it can be a valuable resource for finding others with similar experiences, it can also expose them to cyberbullying, hate speech, and misinformation. This can exacerbate mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. The constant negativity and scrutiny can be incredibly damaging to their self-esteem and sense of belonging.

  • Echo Chambers and Polarization: Social media algorithms often create "echo chambers," where individuals are primarily exposed to information that confirms their existing beliefs. This can further polarize opinions on transgender issues, making it harder to have constructive conversations and find common ground. Misinformation within these echo chambers can be reinforced, solidifying false narratives and making it less likely for people to accept accurate information.

  • Strategies for Countering Misinformation: It is crucial to actively counter misinformation and promote accurate information about transgender issues. Here are some strategies:

    • Fact-Checking: Before sharing information, take the time to verify its accuracy through reputable sources like the AMA, APA, and WPATH.

    • Reporting Misinformation: On social media platforms, report posts that contain false or harmful information.

    • Sharing Accurate Resources: Share reliable resources and articles that provide accurate information about transgender health and experiences.

    • Engaging in Constructive Dialogue: When possible, engage in respectful conversations to correct misinformation and share accurate perspectives. However, prioritize your mental well-being and disengage if the conversation becomes hostile or unproductive.

  • Promoting Online Safety: It is essential to educate transgender and gender-diverse youth about online safety practices. This includes:

    • Privacy settings: Encouraging them to use privacy settings to control who can see their posts and information.

    • Blocking and reporting: Teaching them how to block or report users who engage in cyberbullying or harassment.

    • Seeking support: Reminding them that they are not alone and encouraging them to reach out to support networks if they experience online harassment or distress.


By understanding the role of misinformation and social media's impact, we can work to create a safer and more supportive online environment for transgender and gender-diverse youth.


Delaware's Senate Bill 55: A Closer Look

In February 2025, Delaware introduced Senate Bill 55, which aims to prohibit the use of public funds and insurance coverage for gender transition surgeries for minors. Proponents argue this protects children from making irreversible decisions. However, this view overlooks several critical issues:

  • Implications for Providers of Mental Health: Senate Bill 55 could discourage healthcare providers from making referrals for gender-affirming care due to fear of legal or financial consequences. This could lead to treatment delays, harming the mental and physical health of transgender youth.

  • Medical Guidelines and Practices: Major medical organizations like the AMA, APA, and WPATH support gender-affirming care for youth. These guidelines emphasize thorough assessments by qualified professionals. Misconceptions, like all gender-affirming care involving surgery or that children are too young to know their gender, are inaccurate. Research supports the positive outcomes of gender-affirming care. Laws that aim to restrict specific medical procedures or treatments for one group may have unintended consequences for other groups, including intersex individuals. For example, if a bill restricts access to hormone therapy, it could affect intersex individuals who rely on such therapy for their health and well-being.

  • Ethical Concerns: Restricting access to necessary care violates the principle of autonomy, preventing youth from making informed healthcare decisions with their providers and guardians. It also contravenes beneficence, as denying care can cause significant harm. Furthermore, it's discriminatory, targeting a vulnerable minority group.

  • Mental Health Ramifications: The Trevor Project's 2022 report shows that 63% of transgender youth in restrictive environments report depression symptoms, and 76% experience anxiety. This highlights the damaging impact of denying affirming care.


What to Do: Call to Action

Here's how WE can make a difference:

  1. Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about transgender issues and share accurate information.

    • Continue to learn about transgender issues, gender identity, and gender-affirming care. Reliable sources include the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).

    • Share accurate information with your friends, family, and community. Help to dispel myths and misconceptions by sharing fact-based articles and resources.

  2. Contact Your Legislators: Voice your concerns about restrictive legislation.

    • Reach out to your state representatives and senators to voice your concerns about legislation that restricts gender-affirming care. Share your personal stories, if you feel comfortable, or the facts and statistics you've learned.

    • Let them know that you support inclusive policies that protect the rights and well-being of transgender youth. You can find contact information for your legislators on your state's government website.

  3. Support LGBTQ+ Organizations:

    • Donate to or volunteer with groups like The Trevor Project and HRC.

    • Donate to or volunteer with organizations that advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and provide support services to transgender individuals. Some examples include The Trevor Project, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and PFLAG.

    • These organizations work tirelessly to advocate for policy changes, provide crisis intervention, and offer community support.

  4. Create Safe and Affirming Spaces:

    • Use correct names and pronouns, and challenge transphobia.

    • In your personal and professional life, strive to create environments where transgender and gender-diverse individuals feel safe, respected, and included.

    • Use people's correct names and pronouns. Challenge transphobic jokes or comments. Speak up for transgender rights in your community.

  5. Support Transgender Youth Directly:

    •  Offer support and acceptance, and seek resources if you are a parent or family member.

    • If you know a transgender young person, offer them your unconditional support and acceptance. Listen to their experiences, validate their feelings, and let them know that you care.

    • If you are a parent, guardian, or family member of a transgender youth, seek out resources and support groups to help you navigate this journey. PFLAG and other organizations offer valuable resources and community.

  6. Vote for Pro-Equality Candidates:

    • Support those who protect LGBTQ+ rights.

    • Pay attention to the stances of political candidates on LGBTQ+ rights, particularly transgender rights. Vote for those who support equality, inclusion, and access to healthcare for all, at all levels of government (local, state and federal). .


Conclusion:

The history of transgender individuals is one of resilience. As our understanding evolves, policies must reflect compassion and evidence-based practices. Delaware's Senate Bill 55 poses significant psychological and ethical concerns. Supporting transgender youth through accessible, affirming care is crucial for their well-being and their right to self-determination.


Local Resources

I. Organizations and Support Services:

II. Specific Resource Areas:


Bibliography

  1. American Psychological Association. (2021). APA Resolution on Gender Identity Change Efforts.

  2. JAMA Network Open. (2022). Mental health outcomes in transgender and nonbinary youth receiving gender-affirming care.

  3. The Trevor Project. (2022). National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health. 

  4. Associated Press. (2025). What medical care for transgender minors is at stake in Supreme Court case?

  5. The Guardian. (2024). If Trump wins the election, he could launch a ‘catastrophic’ rollback of LGBTQ+ rights. 

  6. Legislative Hall, Delaware General Assembly. (2025). Senate Bill 55. 

 

Reading next

The Silent Struggle of Undiagnosed Mental Health Disorders in Men

The Silent Struggle of Undiagnosed Mental Health Disorders in Men

Sep 17, 2024