LGBTQ+ Community Faces New Challenges Following a Groundbreaking Study

Researchers in the Netherlands found the majority of the population grows out of “gender confusion” once they reach adulthood. The massive study tracked nearly 2800 adolescents into early adulthood, making it one of the most extensive studies of its kind. 

Inside the study

The Dutch study followed children from the ages of 11 through 26. The study found that as they grew older, participants became more satisfied with the gender assigned at birth. The Tracking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS) followed 2,772 participants for 15 years. 

Growing pains 

11% of participants reported the desire to have been born as the opposite gender in the early stages of the study. However, the numbers dropped steadily as the participants grew older, leaving only 4% wishing to be of another gender at 26. The majority, or 78%, said they had no gender non-contentedness. 19% had decreasing gender non-contentedness throughout the study, and 2% had growing gender non-contentedness.

One of the explanations 

The paper by medical researchers at the University of Groningen explained that gender non-contentedness could be connected with poorer self-concept and mental health throughout development. That’s why young adolescents have higher desires to be of another gender. 

Doubts are common 

The researchers further explained that their study should be an example of how it is expected to go through doubts and question your gender identity, especially among young adolescents. The study comes after many countries stopped prescribing puberty blockers.

Discontent and gender identity 

The study suggested that LGBTQ participants were more likely to report inconsistent levels of displeasure about their gender throughout adolescence and early adulthood. It was also noted that gender dissatisfaction was predominant among females due to lower self-esteem and emotional difficulties. 

Reentering the debate

The Dutch study raised questions regarding gender identity and gender dysphoria for children under 18. Michael Guillen, a former Harvard physics instructor and author, shared on X that parents should be patient instead of rushing to get their children gender-affirming care. 

Not everyone agrees

Epidemiologist Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz, however, believes the study did not prove that being transgender is a phase for children. London School of Economics methodology professor Patrick Sturgis pushed back, claiming that the study demonstrated that, in most cases, gender dysphoria diminishes once children reach a certain age. 

Rise in transgender and nonbinary children and adolescents

The Dutch study comes with the rise of transgender and nonbinary children and young adults. It defies the 2022 guide by the Health and Human Services’ Office of Population Affairs that says early gender-affirming care is crucial to an individual’s overall health and well-being.

NHS stopped with puberty blockers 

The National Health Service in England said in March that it would stop prescribing puberty blockers to those under 18. New underage patients can still get hormone blockers, but only as part of a clinical trial.

Situation in the States

Over 20 states have banned or restricted gender-transition treatment for those under 18. Efforts to limit transgender health care

are expected to continue, and not just when it comes to minors. At the same time, the States are dealing with a massive amount of hate crimes aimed against the LGBTQ+ population. 

Finland study gave devastating insight

The study from Finland, published earlier in 2024, addressed a common topic that suggested trans youth are more likely to take their lives if they do not get gender-affirming care. However, the study concluded that transgender youth are not in greater danger due to gender distress but have a higher rate of severe psychiatric problems. 

LGBTQ+ rights are facing a decline 

Public support for the LGBTQ+ community shows signs of decline for the first time since 2015. The survey was published in March by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute. The majority still supports LGBTQ+ rights, but the researchers wanted that decline to be a warning sign. 

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