On February 3, APA Divs. 44 (Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity) and 27 (Society for Community Research and Action) issued a joint statement opposing a recent request for information from the Florida Governor’s Office. The request, which was sent on January 11, 2023, via email to the chairs of the state universities’ boards of trustees (PDF, 124 KB)opens in new window, included instructions for providing detailed information about services Florida colleges and universities have provided over the past 5 years to people with gender dysphoria (PDF, 111KB)opens in new window.
As the response notes, the governor’s request raises privacy concerns because of the small population of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) students on many college and university campuses coupled with asking for information about specific treatments and facilities. It is unclear how state officials will use the information, though the statement mentions that such a request could create a “chilling effect” in which universities would be reluctant to offer care to TGD students for fear of funding cuts or political backlash, which would add to the already high barriers to care many TGD students face.
The letter is consistent with the Resolution on Opposing Discriminatory Laws, Policies, and Practices Aimed at LGBTQ+ Persons (PDF, 127 KB)opens in new window, in which APA discourages legislative, regulatory, and policy efforts that restrict gender-affirmative care from those seeking it. Instead, the association urges policymakers and psychologists to follow our evidence-based Guidelines for Psychological Practice With Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People (PDF, 461KB)opens in new window, which call for “culturally competent, developmentally appropriate, and trans-affirmative psychological practice” with transgender and gender diverse individuals who are seeking care.
For more information, contact Leo Rennie, MPA.