Understanding and Addressing Disinformation in Gender-Affirming Health Care Bans.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Human Rights Law
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• Rising legislative actions in U.S. states target transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) individuals.
• These laws restrict access to gender-affirming health care (GAC).
• Such restrictions are frequently based on scientific disinformation, intentionally false information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current landscape of GAC bans.
• To analyze the disinformation strategies underpinning these bans.
• To provide practical tools for challenging scientific falsehoods.

Main Methods:

• Review of legislative trends concerning GAC.
• Analysis of common disinformation tactics used against GAC.
• Compilation of evidence-based rebuttals and strategies.

Main Results:

• Identification of prevalent legislative restrictions on GAC across multiple U.S. states.
• Characterization of recurring disinformation narratives and their sources.
• Development of a toolkit for clinicians and advocates to combat false claims.

Conclusions:

• Scientific disinformation poses a significant threat to TGE individuals, GAC providers, and public health.
• Effective strategies are crucial for clinicians and legal advocates to rebut false claims.
• Challenging disinformation is essential for protecting the human rights and healthcare access of TGE people.