In a February 25, 2026 article, Erin Reed reports that the American Psychological Association (APA) has directly pushed back against a New York Times piece by Jesse Singal, which suggested the organization was quietly retreating from its support for gender-affirming care. The APA told Reed plainly that its position has not changed, reaffirming its 2024 policy statement — passed 153–9 — which declares gender-affirming care medically necessary, opposes bans on such care, and finds that rejecting a trans youth’s gender identity can increase their risk of suicide.
The APA also disputed Singal’s reading of a 2025 letter it sent to the Federal Trade Commission. Singal framed the letter as evidence the organization believed gender dysphoria could stem from trauma, autism, or co-occurring mental health conditions. The APA clarified that the letter was simply describing standard clinical practice — thorough, individualized patient assessment — written in direct response to FTC accusations that gender-affirming care providers were deceiving consumers.
Reed frames the episode as part of a broader coordinated effort by anti-trans activists and media outlets to manufacture doubt around the professional consensus supporting transgender youth care, noting the APA is among several medical bodies reportedly under FTC investigation amid pressure to retreat from that consensus. Staying informed is one of the most important things you can do right now — read Erin Reed’s full article here and consider subscribing to her Substack to support her continued writing on topics affecting trans individuals.
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