Psychologists: Step up your efforts to prevent discrimination of gender-variant people

There are critical gaps in the research on transgender and gender-variant people, according to Walter O. Bockting, PhD, a member of the APA Task Force on Gender Identity and Gender Variance.

Presenting results of the task force’s report Thursday at APA’s Annual Convention, Bockting said, for example, there are no good numbers on how many people confront gender-identity issues. Researchers also want to learn more about the causes of gender variance, said Bockting, adding that the roots are likely "a complex interaction" of biological, social and cultural factors.

Some areas of the current research on this population remain controversial, Bockting noted. Among them, he said: "Should we assist these children in becoming more gender typical ... versus should we really focus on providing a supportive environment for these children and assist their families to allow [the children to explore their gender-identity issues?]"

By conducting more research and providing appropriate treatment, psychologists can help end discrimination against transgender and gender-variant people, the task force report concludes.

The report recommends that APA:

• Encourage more research on gender identity and expression.
• Advocate for antidiscrimination protection for transgender people .
• Develop practice guidelines for transgender clients.
• Encourage training programs and graduate internships to support transgender and gender-variant people.

APA created the Task Force on Gender Identity and Gender Variance in 2005 to examine the research, association policies and other issues that concern this population.

APA's Council of Representatives has received the task force report. The council is expected to approve a resolution Sunday that supports full equality for transgender and gender-variant people.