Physician here. The psychological impacts of gender identity issues are very real and would occur even if society was 100% accepting of trans people. Sadly, society is not which makes it worse. These folks need and deserve healthcare. That care involves not only helping them work through their journey, but also supporting it with psychiatric care, hormonal options, and in some cases, surgical treatment. Transphobes make it sound like society is allowing minors to be injured by these practices. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Puberty blocking medications are a reversible option for adolescents. If they determine that they would like to proceed with their biological identity later, the meds are stopped and their puberty ensues. Very few minors receive any type of gender reassignment surgery. Most of the time, patients will start with hormonal treatment and pursue surgical options when they are done growing and usually when they are over 18. But there are exceptions.

Putting extra negative attention on people going through this and limiting their treatment options is draconian and must stop.