The U.K. Government Will Commission Research Into Adolescent Gender Identity

NEWS

The United Kingdom Government has issued a press release in response to large increases in youth, particularly female youth, seeking treatment for gender dysphoria.

“Government set to begin next phase of gender transition research” was issued by the Government Equalities Office and posted on the GOV.UK site:

In 2018/19, 2,590 children and young people were referred to GIDS, with the service continuing to see an increasing number of girls referred. Nearly three quarters of those referred last year were female, mostly of adolescent age.

Whilst the number of referrals last year still represents only a small fraction of the UK population (0.05% or around 1 in 1,900 of 13-17 year olds), it is clear that more young people, particularly adolescent girls, are seeking support around their gender identity from health services.

And:

What it is not clear is what might be driving these increases. Despite a wide variety of theories, there is little hard evidence to support these at present.

That is why the government has been reviewing existing evidence, including information from other countries, to better understand whether the trends seen in the UK are also happening elsewhere. Following on from this, the GEO will now commission brand new research to explore the nature of adolescent gender identity and transitioning.

And:

This trend of higher numbers of adolescent girls presenting as transgender was also observed in responses to the government’s own National LGBT Survey. Of the 2,040 trans respondents aged 16-17, 39% identified as trans men, compared to 10% trans women. 51% identified as non-binary.

We cover that survey and others in a discussion of the increase in females coming out as trans/non-binary.

REFERENCES:

Government Equalities Office (UK). (2019, July 8). Government set to begin next phase of gender transition research. Retrieved https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-set-to-begin-next-phase-of-gender-transition-research?utm_source=ea10e16a-f79d-4af9-866f-394cecd72fd4&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate