GLMA Commends APA Policy Statement that Supports Affirming, Evidence-Based, and Inclusive Care for Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender Diverse Patients

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 29, 2024

Contact: Eli Duffy
Communications & Development Manager
eduffy@glma.org

Washington, DC - GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality applauds the American Psychological Association (APA) for its landmark policy statement affirming evidence-based, inclusive care for transgender, gender diverse, and nonbinary individuals. The APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with more than 157,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students as its members.

The APA’s policy resolution emphasizes the importance of unobstructed access to evidence-based health care for trans, gender diverse, and nonbinary individuals of all ages. It supports affirming care that is individual-centered and rooted in psychological and clinical science. The statement also addresses the harmful impact of misinformation on transgender individuals and their families, aiming to promote access to appropriate services and treatment.

“GLMA stands proudly alongside the APA, the largest psychological association in the world, in their resolute support for evidence-based, inclusive care for transgender, gender diverse, and nonbinary individuals,” said Alex Sheldon, MA, GLMA Executive Director. “And we urge policymakers to prioritize the expertise of institutions like the APA over the fear-mongering rhetoric propagated by anti-trans advocates. It is imperative that policy decisions align with evidence and expertise, safeguarding the well-being and rights of all individuals."

“The APA’s pivotal policy reaffirms our shared dedication to promoting unobstructed access to affirming healthcare rooted in psychological and clinical science," said Jesse Joad, MD, MS, GLMA President. "This alignment clearly highlights that the state bans seeking to restrict health care access for these individuals ignore the extensive medical and psychological research supporting the positive effects of this treatment. GLMA will persist in protecting providers' professional rights to deliver optimal patient care and in advocating for policies that uphold access to evidence-based healthcare as a fundamental right for all."

Read the APA’s Full Policy Statement on Affirming Evidence-Based Inclusive Care for Transgender, Gender Diverse,and Nonbinary Individuals, Addressing Misinformation, and the Role of Psychological Practice and Science here.

About GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality
GLMA is a national organization committed to ensuring health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities and equality for LGBTQ+ health professionals in their work and learning environments.  To achieve this mission, GLMA utilizes the scientific expertise of its diverse multidisciplinary membership to inform and drive advocacy, education, and research.