Recently, I saw a meme (below) that stopped me cold. It deepened my awareness of how vulnerable gay and trans teens are. Worse, it underscored how deadly anti-gay/trans rhetoric and policies can be. The Trevor Project – Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Young People
To be clear, higher suicide rates for gay and trans individuals are not innate. They are directly related to a culture that is non-accepting and abusive. Facts About Suicide Among LGBTQ+ Young People
Despite the gains made for marriage equality, attacks on sexually diverse individuals have recently increased. Specifcally, political rhetoric and discriminatory policies target transgendered people.
It is crucial to understand that the attacks against trans individuals are based on false notions and outright lies. Health Misinformation Monitor: Falsehoods About Transgender People and Gender Affirming Care | KFF Even though the medical community debunks the lies, politicians and social media continue to spread them. In this highly charged environment, politically hyped paranoia undermines respect for medical science. gay rights | Pastoral Counseling Syracuse NY
Even so, people who support equal rights for sexually diverse citizens must not give up or give in. Given the potential harm, we must continue to confront each false claim as it arises.
To begin, let’s be clear about some basic terms:
- Transgender is an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity, gender expression or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth.
- Sex has to do with physical sex characteristics.
- Gender refers to the cultural roles of males and females.
- Sexual orientation refers to what sex sexually arouses you. Answers to your questions about transgender people, gender identity, and gender expression
With these in mind, here are some of the most false claims that are used to discredit and malign transgendered individuals.
1) Trans is not a “real” medical condition.
The most demeaning lie spread by anti-trans propaganda is that their medical condition is not real. The president’s declaration that there are only two sexes is false.Trump signs executive orders proclaiming there are only two biological sexes, halting DEI programs
The president’s claim is wrong on two counts. Some trangendered people have what is called Kleinfelter’s syndrome. i.e., a condition where a person has an xxy chromosomal configuration rather than the xy or xx found in male /female genetic coding.
Others trans, however, experience being in the wrong body even though they have typical chromosomes. Even though well scientifically documented, opponents refuse to believe a trans person’s self-report of their inner-sense of themselves. Skeptics refuse to believe that a psychological basis for transgender is possible.
2) Transgender is just a temporary phase of gender confusion.
Instead of trusting self-reports, anti-trans folks assume that trans individual are just confused about their gender identity. Similar to the way some folks felt about gay sexual orientation, they erroneously believe that, given time, they will outgrow their gender dysphoria and come to feel comfortable in their bodies. Again, repeated studies reveal that this hypothesis is false. ‘It’s just a phase’: dispelling the myth | Varsity
3) Transgender is a mental illness.
While some trans skeptics think the condition is just a phase of confusion, others believe that it is a mental illness. While there is a psychological disorder called gender dysphoria, transgender is a separate and established non-pathologicial condition. Transgender no longer recognised as ‘disorder’ by WHO
4) Gender-Affirming Care is Harmful.
Since transgender skeptics don’t believe the condition is real, they oppose gender-affirming care. Worse, however, their skepticism goes beyond simply having a different opinion. Many states have passed laws to ban desperately needed gender affirming care for children. States are banning gender-affirming care for minors. What does that mean for patients and providers? | AAMC
To be clear, gender-affirming care, as defined by the World Health Organization, encompasses a range of social, psychological, behavioral, and medical interventions “designed to support and affirm an individual’s gender identity” when it conflicts with the gender they were assigned at birth. Gender incongruence and transgender health in the ICD
Opponents claim variously that it is unnecessary or that it is harmful. Neither is true. Gender affirming care (GAC) is medically necessary to help individuals cope with the anxiety and depression experienced by individuals who feel that they are trapped in the wrong body. Beyond that, GAC saves lives.. Doctors Agree: Gender-Affirming Care is Life-Saving Care | ACLU
And one more thing …
Given the deluge of misinformation in the media, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged. That said, it’s essential not to overlook the personal ways we can promote trans rights.
In addition to knowing the facts and refuting false claims, as the meme reminds us, we can make a life-saving difference in a trans person’s life simply by accepting and supporting, without question, who they are.
Rev. Michael Heath, LMHC, A.A.P.C. 4 /4/2025
