Archive for transgender
Transgender discrimination in health care: What families should know
Earlier in June, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finalized a regulation that would eliminate some protections for transgender patients against discrimination by clinicians, hospitals, and health insurance companies. Our understanding is that this change is being challenged in court, as such discrimination isn’t just hurtful — it can also be harmful to ... Read More
Finding gender-affirming care: Elijah’s story
Elijah de la Torre and her family recently relocated from the second-largest state in the U.S. to the smallest. But their move from Texas to Rhode Island has revealed more differences than just geography. “When it comes to Elijah’s care, it’s like night and day,” says her mom, Sarah. But she recognizes the benefits of ... Read More
Four ways to support LGBTQ+ kids during the COVID-19 outbreak
Being stuck in close quarters with family can be stressful for any kid. But for some children, teens, and young adults, staying home during the COVID-19 pandemic can be fraught with even more anxiety. With schools closed and social distancing in effect, LGBTQ+ kids may experience a loss of community. Gender-diverse youth may experience increased ... Read More
Embracing the benefits of virtual visits during the COVID-19 pandemic
Sheltering at home during the coronavirus doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice high-quality health care. Many families are finding that a lot of services they used to travel into Boston for are now available from the comfort of home using our expanded telehealth capacity. This is allowing parents and kids to manage chronic conditions, or ... Read More
Transgender student athletes: What parents should know
Last summer, three Connecticut girls who have run high school track filed a federal discrimination complaint stating that the state’s policy on transgender athletes has affected their ability to win races and potentially qualify for college scholarships. They claim that transfeminine athletes have an unfair advantage when competing against cisgender girls. The lawsuit is characteristic ... Read More
‘At complete peace’: Oliver’s transition story
Oliver Sutherland wants to help gender-diverse kids feel more comfortable in and out of the classroom. As a staff member on the Massachusetts GSA Leadership Council, he works with students and schools to help make schools safer and more inclusive for LGBTQ+ students. For Oliver, it’s a role born of both passion and personal experience: ... Read More
Leven’s story: Becoming more of who they’ve always been
“My name is Leven. I’m in seventh grade. I like hanging out with my friends, reading graphic novels, and going to the trampoline park. I want to be a math teacher when I grow up. I’m non-binary and use they/them pronouns.” At just 13, Leven Ford has more knowledge about who they are than many ... Read More
First-of-its-kind study links puberty blockers to lower odds of suicidal thoughts
Also called puberty blockers, gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRHas) are medications that can halt estrogen and testosterone production, effectively suppressing the physical changes associated with puberty. This allows transgender and non-binary teens to explore their gender identity without the pressure of puberty, which can exacerbate feelings of dysphoria. GnRHas are administered by implants or injections and ... Read More
The Center for Gender Surgery: Pioneering team looks to the future
In January 2018, physicians in Boston Children’s Center for Gender Surgery performed the first hospital’s phalloplasty, or surgical creation of a penis. The procedure was groundbreaking: It was the first such surgery performed for a transgender patient at a major U.S. pediatric hospital. And it was a key step in the 24-year-old patient’s lifelong journey ... Read More
Recent research from the Center for Gender Surgery
The Center for Gender Surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital offers a full suite of surgical options for eligible patients ready to take this step in their gender journey. A pair of recent studies by the center’s staff promise to further increase our understanding of transgender health. New system helps identify transmasculine patients’ surgical priorities Transmasculine ... Read More