World Medical Association Approves New Trans Health Care Guidelines

The aim is to increase doctors’ knowledge and sensitivity towards transgender people and their unique health issues.

Dawn Ennis

The Advocate's news editor Dawn Ennis successfully transitioned from broadcast journalism to online media following another transition that made headlines; in 2013, she became the first trans staffer in any major TV network newsroom. As the first out transgender editor at The Advocate, the native New Yorker continues her 30-year media career, in which she has earned more than a dozen awards, including two Emmys. With the blessing of her three children, Dawn retains the most important job title she's ever held: Dad.

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Dawn Ennis

October 20 2015 10:17 AM EST

October 20 2015 10:20 AM EST

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International groups representing doctors and health care providers worldwide have adopted new guidelines for caring for transgender patients, Gay Star News reports.

Nearly 60 national medical associations meeting at the World Medical Association's annual general assembly in Moscow on Sunday agreed everyone who experiences gender dysphoria has a right to affordable transition-related care.

The doctors also explicitly rejected all forms of what Gay Star News labeled "coercive treatment or forced behavior modification," commonly called conversion, reparative, or "ex-gay" therapy in the U.S. Both the Obama administration and two leading national LGBT advocacy groups are pushing for nationwide bans on the the ineffective, harmful treatments that attempt to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

The guidelines were proposed by the German Medical Association.

"We condemn all forms of discrimination, stigmatization and violence against transgender people and want to see appropriate legal measures to protect their equal civil rights," said WMA President Sir Michael Marmot in a statement.

While acknowledging various "cultural sensitivities" in parts of the world that may impact access to trans-specific health care, WMA concluded that the basic rights and overall well-being of transgender people should take precedence over any cultural, political or religious considerations.

"As role models, physicians should use their medical knowledge to combat prejudice in this respect," continued Marmot. "We would like national medical associations to take action to identify and combat barriers to care."