92nd ACFAS Congress - Colloquium 626: ‘Transition and detransition among young people: understanding and uniting in the face of misinformation and division’.

In recent years, a critical discourse has emerged on gender and gender transitions, particularly for young trans and non-binary people (TNB). Fuelling a moral panic, several articles and news reports suggest that young TNB are accessing gender affirming medical care (GAMC) too quickly. The controversial theory of ‘rapid onset gender dysphoria’ (ROGD) has also gained visibility. It suggests that vulnerable young girls undertake a gender transition under the influence of ‘social contagion’ and a misdiagnosis of gender dysphoria, and then regret it. This theory, although hotly contested by researchers, is widely publicised in the media. Published in 2024, the Cass report, which was also heavily criticised, called into question the benefits of GAMC and the standards of care of the World Association of Trans Health Professionals.

In this context, the idea of regret is often put forward to underline the danger of making a transition. There is also a proliferation of narratives on detransition, often presented in an alarmist way as a mistake to be prevented by restricting access to GAMC. Although research shows nuanced detransition paths, the controversies surrounding access to GAMC and the risk of regret are already having tangible effects. On the one hand, they threaten the rights of trans communities, as evidenced by the restrictions or bans on GAMC that are multiplying in several countries. Secondly, trans people are often rejected because their experiences are used as a tool.

In the face of this misinformation and the growing polarisation between the trans and detrans communities, it is crucial to understand their experiences and highlight the points of convergence between them on issues such as informed consent, bodily autonomy and recognition of each person's pathway.