Table of Contents
Biology/Medicine
Gender and Health – World Health Organization (WHO)
This resource from the World Health Organization explores the complex interplay between gender and health outcomes, highlighting how gender norms, roles, and relations influence access to healthcare, health behaviours, and overall well-being. It discusses the unique health challenges faced by people of all genders and underscores the importance of gender-responsive health policies. The article also addresses the need to dismantle systemic inequities and improve health outcomes through inclusive and evidence-based approaches.
Study reveals potential biological basis for transgender
The Hudson Institute’s article discusses a study revealing a potential biological basis for being transgender. Researchers found that certain genetic variations in genes that process sex hormones were more common in transgender women. These genetic differences may influence brain development, contributing to gender dysphoria. While the findings support a biological contribution to gender identity, they highlight that gender identity is complex and influenced by multiple factors. The study aims to promote awareness and reduce discrimination.
Neurobiology of gender identity and sexual orientation
This article explores the neurobiological basis of gender identity and sexual orientation, focusing on how prenatal hormones influence brain development and sexual behaviors. It highlights that while hormones play a significant role, genetic and environmental factors also contribute. Differences in brain structures and hormone exposure can impact gender identity and sexual orientation. Though studies in animals provide valuable insights, human behaviors are more complex, involving interactions between biological and social factors.
How Common is Intersex? A Response to Anne Fausto-Sterling
Leonard Sax critiques Anne Fausto-Sterling’s estimate that 1.7% of the population is intersex. He argues that this figure includes conditions not typically considered intersex and proposes a narrower definition, estimating the true prevalence to be around 0.018%.
What is Sex?
This article discusses sex in terms of genotypic sex, phenotypic sex, and gender identity. It explains genetic conditions that may cause variations in sexual development, highlighting the complexities of intersexuality and the role of brain circuitry in determining sexual identity.
Transgender Men and Pregnancy: Healthcare Barriers and Recommendations
This study examines the experiences of transgender men during pregnancy, focusing on the lack of inclusive care and societal challenges they face. It emphasizes the need for gender-affirming healthcare and offers recommendations for medical providers to improve support.
Bone Safety During the First Ten Years of Gender-Affirming Hormonal Treatment in Transwomen and Transmen
This study found that gender-affirming hormone treatment had no negative effects on bone mineral density over ten years, suggesting routine monitoring during treatment may be unnecessary.
Gender Affirming Care
Puberty Blockers and Their Impact: TGEU Statement on the UK
This statement from Transgender Europe (TGEU) addresses the controversy surrounding the use of puberty blockers for transgender youth in the UK. It critiques the restrictive policies and misinformation surrounding these treatments, emphasizing their role in alleviating gender dysphoria and providing young people with the time needed to explore their identities. The statement is grounded in evidence-based practices, advocating for the rights of trans youth to access timely and supportive healthcare without unnecessary barriers.
Mental Health Outcomes in Transgender and Nonbinary Youths Receiving Gender-Affirming Care
This study found that transgender and nonbinary youths receiving puberty blockers and hormones had significant reductions in depression and suicidality after 12 months. The study highlights the mental health benefits of gender-affirming care.
Association Between Gender-Affirming Surgeries and Mental Health Outcomes in Transgender and Gender Diverse People
Analyzing data from the 2015 US Transgender Survey, this study shows that gender-affirming surgeries are associated with significantly reduced psychological distress and suicidal ideation among transgender individuals.
Pubertal Suppression for Transgender Youth and Risk of Suicidal Ideation
This study shows that transgender adolescents who received puberty blockers had significantly lower rates of lifetime suicidal ideation compared to those who wanted the treatment but didn’t receive it.
Puberty Blockers for Transgender Youth: Mayo Clinic Guide
This article provides information on the use of puberty blockers for transgender youth, explaining how they delay puberty to prevent unwanted physical changes and offering time for exploration of gender identity.
Association of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy With Depression, Thoughts of Suicide, and Attempted Suicide Among Transgender and Nonbinary Youth
This study examines the effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy on depression and suicidality among transgender and nonbinary youth, finding improved mental health outcomes.
Understanding Gender-Affirming Care: What You Need to Know
This article explains the importance of gender-affirming care for transgender individuals, especially youth, highlighting its role in reducing mental health issues and the need for safe environments for exploring gender identity.
Understanding Gender Affirmation Surgery: What to Expect
This guide covers various procedures aimed at aligning an individual’s physical appearance with their gender identity, discussing preparation, recovery, and the positive outcomes associated with gender affirmation surgery.
Rising Numbers of Children Seeking Gender-Affirming Care in the U.S.
The number of children diagnosed with gender dysphoria in the U.S. has surged, with increasing access to gender-affirming care. Data shows a rise in minors starting puberty blockers and hormone treatments from 2017 to 2021.
Regret After Gender-Affirming Surgery: A Multidisciplinary Approach
This study examines regret following gender-affirming surgery, finding that only 0.3% of patients expressed regret or sought reversal. It highlights the importance of comprehensive care to minimize post-surgical regret.
Legislation
The Cass Review Final Report – GIRES Statement
This statement from GIRES responds to the findings of the Cass Review, which examined gender identity services for children and young people in the UK. GIRES critiques the review’s recommendations, highlighting concerns about the implications for timely access to gender-affirming care and the potential for increased barriers to support. The statement advocates for evidence-based approaches and the protection of trans and gender-diverse young people’s rights while addressing systemic challenges within the NHS.
Critiques of the Cass Review – TransActual UK
This resource from TransActual UK provides a critical analysis of the Cass Review and its recommendations for gender identity services for children and young people. It examines the potential consequences of the review’s findings, including delays in accessing gender-affirming care, the framing of trans healthcare within a restrictive medical model, and the impact on trans rights. TransActual UK advocates for evidence-based practices, the depathologisation of trans identities, and improved access to timely and inclusive healthcare services, highlighting the voices of trans people directly affected by these systemic changes.
Legislative Assault on LGBTQ Rights: A Growing Wave of Bills Targeting Trans Youth
In 2022, nearly 200 state bills were introduced aiming to restrict protections for LGBTQ youth, particularly transgender children, causing distress among families and igniting public backlash and legal challenges.
Mapping the 2024 Wave of Anti-LGBTQ Legislation in the U.S.
In 2024, over 530 anti-LGBTQ bills are being tracked across U.S. state legislatures, reflecting attempts to restrict rights for LGBTQ individuals, especially transgender youth, in areas like healthcare access and education.
Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act
This act mandates school districts to reinforce parental rights regarding their children’s education, including provisions that limit discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity in certain grade levels.
History/Theology
Roadmap to Inclusion: Supporting Trans People of Faith – GIRES
This guide, created by GIRES, explores the intersection of faith and gender identity, offering insights and practical advice for creating inclusive environments for trans individuals within faith communities. It highlights the challenges faced by trans people of faith, the importance of respect and understanding in religious spaces, and strategies for fostering inclusion. The resource also addresses misconceptions, providing a roadmap for allies and faith leaders to better support trans individuals while honouring their spiritual journeys.
Ancient Mesopotamian Transgender and Non-Binary Identities
This article explores transgender and non-binary identities in Ancient Mesopotamia, focusing on the deity Inanna and gender-nonconforming individuals in her cult, suggesting a historical presence of gender fluidity.
David Reimer: The Boy Raised as a Girl
David Reimer was subjected to gender reassignment after a medical accident. His struggle and eventual retransition to male challenged prevailing gender theories and influenced changes in medical practices around gender identity.
Intersex Individuals and Gender Transitioning in Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome had accounts of intersex individuals and gender transitioning, with historians like Pliny the Elder citing instances of gender change, highlighting early recognition of gender diversity.
The Eight Genders in the Talmud
Ancient Judaism recognized eight gender categories, acknowledging that not everyone fits neatly into male or female roles. The Talmud discusses how Jewish law applies to these individuals, recognizing gender diversity.
Abraham and Sarah as Tumtum in the Talmud
This text explores a midrash where Abraham and Sarah are described as individuals with indeterminate sexual characteristics, highlighting nuanced recognition of gender diversity in classical Judaism.
Tracing a Trans Lineage through Torah: From Elohim to Rabbi Yochanan
This source sheet explores the trans lineage in the Torah, illustrating how Jewish tradition has recognized gender diversity throughout its history.
The Role of the Androgyne in the Biblical Subversion of the Mytho-Sacrificial World
This study examines how biblical androgynes challenge ancient binary gender systems, reshaping understandings of sacrifice, gender, and messianic fulfillment in the biblical narrative.
The Effeminates of Early Medina – Everett K. Rowson
This academic article, published in the Journal of the American Oriental Society, examines the social and cultural roles of effeminates (mukhannathūn) in pre-Islamic and early Islamic Arabian society. It explores how these individuals, often associated with women due to their nonconforming gender presentation, were institutionalized within certain social structures. The article delves into their roles as entertainers, mediators, and instrumentalists, as well as the broader implications of their presence on societal norms. It also addresses the repression faced by the mukhannathūn under Islamic governance and their enduring significance in the development of early Arabic culture.
Beyond Emasculation: Being Muslim and Becoming Hijra in South Asia – Adnan Hossain
This article explores the complex identity and cultural practices of hijra in South Asia, focusing on the intersection of religion, gender nonconformity, and societal norms. Hijra, often seen as “male-bodied” individuals who identify as female or beyond binary definitions of gender, navigate a unique cultural space influenced by both Hindu and Islamic traditions. The article challenges reductive associations of emasculation with hijra identity and examines how hijrahood is constructed through repeated ritual and gendered practices. Drawing on ethnographic research in Bangladesh, it highlights the communal politics and pluralism that shape the hijra experience, situating them within a broader discourse on religion, gender, and identity in South Asia.
Two-Spirit People: Then and Now – CIHR Institute of Gender and Health
This report from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) explores the history, cultural significance, and contemporary experiences of Two-Spirit people within Indigenous communities. It examines the intersection of gender, spirituality, and Indigenous traditions, highlighting the resilience of Two-Spirit identities despite the impacts of colonisation. By situating Two-Spirit identity within historical and spiritual frameworks, this resource sheds light on the importance of reclaiming these identities in the broader narrative of Indigenous and LGBTQ+ histories.
Psychology/Sociology
Gender Dysphoria
The article from StatPearls discusses gender dysphoria’s definition, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. It emphasizes the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in providing care, including hormonal and surgical options, mental health support, and personalized treatment plans.
Mental Health of Transgender Children Who Are Supported in Their Identities
This study examines the mental health of socially transitioned transgender children aged 3–12 who are supported in their gender identity, finding they have normative levels of depression and slightly elevated anxiety.
Gender Identity 5 Years After Social Transition
This study explores the long-term gender identity outcomes of transgender youth five years after their initial social transition, finding that early social transitions are often stable.
Understanding Transgender People, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression
This article explains gender identity, expression, and the transgender experience, covering diversity of identities and addressing societal and medical transitions.
What is Gender Dysphoria?
Gender dysphoria refers to the distress experienced when one’s gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth. This condition can affect individuals of all ages, causing significant emotional, social, and mental health challenges. Treatment options include social, legal, medical, and surgical affirmations to align one’s physical characteristics with their gender identity.
Expert Q&A: Gender Dysphoria
This article clarifies differences between transgender and transsexual identities, discusses potential emotional benefits of hormone therapy, and explores the varying degrees to which people with gender dysphoria seek gender-affirming treatments.
Patterns of Gender Development
This review examines gender development in children, focusing on how they form gender concepts and stereotypes. It introduces dynamic systems theory to understand stability and change in gender development, highlighting the interaction of biological, cognitive, and social factors.
Linguistics
Cisgender and Cissexual
The terms “cissexual” and “cisgender” refer to individuals whose gender identity matches their assigned sex at birth. These terms challenge the unmarked norm of gender and sexuality, contrasting with “transsexual” and “transgender.” Originating from sexology, these concepts have sparked discussions on privilege, gender norms, and their implications in healthcare, legal systems, and public perception.
Terminology – GIRES
This comprehensive glossary from the Gender Identity Research & Education Society (GIRES) offers detailed definitions and explanations of key terms related to gender diversity. It covers language around gender identity, expression, and inclusivity, providing a valuable resource for anyone seeking to communicate respectfully and accurately about these topics. The glossary is designed to enhance understanding, challenge misconceptions, and support inclusive practices in both personal and professional contexts.
Culture
Alarming Rates of Violence Against Transgender Individuals
A study reveals that transgender people are over four times more likely than cisgender individuals to experience violent victimization, highlighting the need for policies addressing this disproportionate violence.
Why I Left The Mormon Church and Why It’s a Cult
Emily Iris Degn shares her experiences in the Mormon Church, detailing its cult-like practices and oppressive gender roles, emphasizing the importance of questioning authority and seeking truth.
U.S. Transgender Survey Full Report
This comprehensive report provides insights into the experiences of transgender individuals across the United States, covering areas such as education, employment, healthcare, housing, and discrimination.