Detransition needs further understanding, not controversy

Kinnon MacKinnon and colleagues call for robust, sensitive research to inform comprehensive gender care services for people who detransition In recent years, public discourse has drawn attention to research and clinical practice regarding gender affirming care for transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse (trans) populations. In particular, the phenomenon of gender detransition—discontinuing or reversing gender affirming medical or surgical interventions—has been thrust into the spotlight through a highly publicised legal case in the UK, brought by someone who detransitioned, that challenges the ability of people younger than 16 years to give informed consent to start medical gender affirming treatment.1 At the same time politically driven efforts across the United States are seeking to restrict those under the age of 18 from receiving gender affirming care, citing that limited long term evidence contraindicates gender affirming care for children and adolescents.23 The flurry of media attention has highlighted the complexity underlying the science of gender care and the reality that, for some trans people, gender identity and care needs may change over time. Yet media stories about detransition often disproportionately feature those who want to limit access to treatments for gender dysphoria. Understanding the full range of experiences and perspectives of people who detransition—who may be referred to as detransitioners or detrans people—is crucial to advancing the field of gender care (box 1). Box 1 ### Glossary of key concepts relevant to research and practiceRETURN TO TEXT