ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a comprehensive exploration of gender-affirming care (GAC) for adolescents, and does so from intersectional and interdisciplinary perspectives in order to best address the unique and diverse care needs within the transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adolescent community. Specifically, this chapter focuses on the experiences of TGD adolescents, from a developmental perspective, that underscores the wide variability in gender development among this heterogenous group. We introduce the breadth of GAC in which there is a need for more inclusive care regarding gender identity development. This is reflected in the need for a broad exploration of gender identity (and care needs), as the current GAC is largely rooted in fairly fixed understandings of gender and identity. Within GAC various care options are available. This includes psychosocial support, puberty blockers, and gender-affirming hormone therapy for TGD adolescents aged 16 and older. We specifically address GAC from a minority stress perspective, including both psychosocial and medical aspects as part of the broader provision of GAC. In addition, we shed light on the complexities of navigating ethical considerations in GAC among adolescents. Furthermore, we briefly outline some prominent barriers in access to care, lack of widespread inclusivity, need for tailored care, and more community-engaged research. We navigate these challenges and offer possible avenues for change in reaching comprehensive inclusive care.
