This RNAO petition (https://rnao.ca/policy/action-alerts/stop-targeting-transgender-youth) is very misleading. It's bluffing about evidence.
It claims that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's proposed restrictions on gender-affirming care are not informed by evidence; then it claims that, in contrast, RNAO has evidence that supports gender-affirming care.
Specifically, it claims that the RNAO's Best Practice Guideline, 'Promoting 2SLGBTQI+ Health Equity' (https://rnao.ca/bpg/guidelines/promoting-2slgbtqi-health-equity), "provides the actual evidence"; and it claims that RNAO’s research shows that "gender-affirming care… which may include the use of puberty blockers and hormone treatment – provides the best health and social outcomes for transgender and non-binary youth":
“The proposed restrictions to care proposed by Smith and supported by Poilievre appear to be founded on ideology, not informed by evidence. RNAO’s best practice guideline for nurses, Promoting 2SLGBTQI+ Health Equity, provides the actual evidence for foundational, inclusive health-care practices for the 2SLGBTQI+ community. From our research, we know that gender-affirming care provided by person-centred health professionals in an inclusive health setting – which may include the use of puberty blockers and hormone treatment – provides the best health and social outcomes for transgender and non-binary youth.”
The specific mention of puberty blockers and hormone treatment is significant, because Danielle Smith announced that they will be banned for young people aged 15 years or less:

“For those 15 and under, puberty blockers and hormone therapies for the purpose of gender reassignment or affirmation would also not be allowed, except for those who have already begun the process.” https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/alberta-to-require-parental-consent-for-name-pronoun-changes-at-school-1.6750498
But the RNAO BPG provides no evidence about puberty blockers and hormone treatment. It does not mention puberty blockers at all, and it explicitly states that hormone treatment (and surgery) is outside the scope of the BPG (p. 9). It provides no evidence about gender-affirming medical interventions. Instead it’s about “inclusive care practices” (p. 8):
“Specifically, the BPG addresses:

·        communication strategiesG to promote inclusivity within health-service organizations;

·        creation of safer spaces in health-service organizations and school settings;

·       promotion of access to screeningG for health conditions;

·       group-based interventions for health promotion and chronic disease management;

·       education on 2SLGBTQI+ health for students entering health professions and health providers;

·       implementation strategies and tools;

·       evaluation criteria related to the recommendations; and

·       future research opportunities and gaps in peer-reviewed literature.” (p. 9)

So where is the RNAO research that provides evidence that gender-affirming care, including puberty blockers and hormone treatment, provides the best outcomes for transgender youth?

Melissa Raven
MPsych(Clin) MMedSc(ClinEpid) PhD
Psychiatric epidemiologist and policy analyst
Research Fellow
Critical and Ethical Mental Health<https://www.adelaide.edu.au/robinson-research-institute/critical-and-ethical-mental-health/> research group (CEMH)
www.adelaide.edu.au/robinson-research-institute/research/groups/cemh/<http://www.adelaide.edu.au/robinson-research-institute/research/groups/cemh/>
Robinson Research Institute
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Adelaide
55 King William Road, North Adelaide SA 5006, AUSTRALIA
PhD: Depression and antidepressants in Australia and beyond - a critical public health analysis https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/3686/

From: Social Determinants of Health <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Ricardo S Grinspun
Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2024 2:35 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [SDOH] Fwd: Action Alert: Stop targeting transgender youth!

Please share widely

https://rnao.ca/policy/action-alerts/stop-targeting-transgender-youth<https://rnao.ca/policy/action-alerts/stop-targeting-transgender-youth>
-------- Forwarded Message --------






[Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario]<https://myrnao.ca/civicrm/mailing/url?u=180902&qid=149180892>



Dear colleague,

Recently, the premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, joined other provincial leaders who have exploited prejudice and ignorance about transgender people – and, in particular, youth. RNAO is deeply concerned to see federal Conservative Party leader, Pierre Poilievre, echoing and amplifying Smith’s views across the country. These views are ill-informed and dangerous to the health and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable youth in our society.

Join us! <https://rnao.ca/policy/action-alerts/stop-targeting-transgender-youth> Tell the leader of the federal Conservative Party to stop targeting transgender and gender-diverse youth. RNAO denounces any kind of stigmatization, discrimination and social exclusion based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. We applaud Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other federal leaders who continue to stand in support of transgender youth.

The proposed restrictions to care proposed by Smith and supported by Poilievre appear to be founded on ideology, not informed by evidence. RNAO’s best practice guideline for nurses, Promoting 2SLGBTQI+ Health Equity, provides the actual evidence for foundational, inclusive health-care practices for the 2SLGBTQI+ community. From our research, we know that gender-affirming care provided by person-centred health professionals in an inclusive health setting – which may include the use of puberty blockers and hormone treatment – provides the best health and social outcomes for transgender and non-binary youth.

We are also deeply concerned about efforts in other provinces to restrict education on matters of sexuality and gender combined with a corresponding insistence on parental consent in all matters related to youth gender identity. Research shows that this compounds the vulnerability of gender-diverse youth, considerably increasing their exposure to violence and likelihood of homelessness, as well as increasing the risk of self-harm and suicide.

RNAO is very pleased by the pledge of Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones to retain the province’s current guidelines for treatment and care for transgender youth.

RNAO is inspired by the widespread reaction across Canada to politicians targeting at-risk youth and sending them a simple message: Stop.

Join us<https://rnao.ca/policy/action-alerts/stop-targeting-transgender-youth> and join youth across the country telling Poilievre and other political leaders to stop targeting transgender and gender-diverse youth.

In solidarity,

Dr. Doris Grinspun, RN, BScN, MSN, PhD,
LLD(hon), Dr(hc), DHC, DHC, FAAN, FCAN, O.ONT
Chief Executive Officer




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