Standards of care upcoming version 8 and EPATH Language Policy

The Standards of Care (SOC) for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People promote evidence-based care, education, research, advocacy, public policy and respect. The last version of the SOC,... [ view full abstract ]

The Standards of Care (SOC) for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People promote evidence-based care, education, research, advocacy, public policy and respect. The last version of the SOC, version 7, issued in 2011, was presented at the biennial WPATH symposium in Atlanta.

Trans health care and research has often been characterized by the use of discriminatory and patholigizing conceptualizations, terminologies and visual representations, without taking into account the experiences, perspectives and preferences of trans people.

WPATH and EPATH members with interest in the promotion of clinical and research practices based on a depathologization and human rights perspective recommended that WPATH and EPATH adopt ethical principles regarding the use of respectful, non-discriminatory and non-pathologizing conceptualizations, terminologies and and visual representations in future Symposiums and Conferences.

The discussion of a respectful, non-discriminatory and non-pathologizing language is also relevant for the SOC review process.

As the world is rapidly changing, and the trans*world in particular, adaptations and new recommendations are strongly needed on a regular basis. At this moment there are many issues and debates around a number of different... [ view full abstract ]

As the world is rapidly changing, and the trans*world in particular, adaptations and new recommendations are strongly needed on a regular basis. At this moment there are many issues and debates around a number of different topics such as: non-binary identities, criteria for surgeries, age of genital surgery for youth, competencies to write letters of support, elaboration of “informed consent”, management of psychiatric co-occurence, and the global applicability of the SOC. These and perhaps other subjects need to be addressed and elaborated in the new version.

Furthermore, the workshop aims at providing space for discussing strategies for using respectful, non-discriminatory and non-pathologizing conceptualizations, terminologies and visual representations, in future EPATH and WPATH conferences and in the SOC-8, as well as proposals for updating the Language Policy/Guidelines.

Part I (70 min):The SOC Revision Committee is eager to be informed through input from WPATH/EPATH members.Part II (20 min):After a short presentation of the Language Policy/Guidelines, an open discussion is proposed for... [ view full abstract ]

Part I (70 min):

The SOC Revision Committee is eager to be informed through input from WPATH/EPATH members.

Part II (20 min):

After a short presentation of the Language Policy/Guidelines, an open discussion is proposed for discussing strategies for using respectful, non-discriminatory and non-pathologizing conceptualizations, terminologies and visual representations in EPATH/WPATH Conferences and in the SOC-8, as well as proposals for updating the Language Policy/Guidelines.

This symposium/workshop/panel will be a forum where, after a short introduction from different experts, everyone will be invited to participate in the discussion. [ view full abstract ]

This symposium/workshop/panel will be a forum where, after a short introduction from different experts, everyone will be invited to participate in the discussion.

Part I:This discussion will make the evolutions in the different topics more visible and will be a guide for reworking the SOC.Part II: The discussion on Language will contribute to strategies for using respectful,... [ view full abstract ]

Part I:

This discussion will make the evolutions in the different topics more visible and will be a guide for reworking the SOC.

Part II:

The discussion on Language will contribute to strategies for using respectful, non-discriminatory and non-pathologizing conceptualizations, language and visual representations in future conferences and in the SOC-8. 

"Listening panels" and feed-back from WPATH/EPATH members, professionals as well as people from the transgender community are needed to develop SOC that reflect new evolutions and are global applicable. The promotion of... [ view full abstract ]

"Listening panels" and feed-back from WPATH/EPATH members, professionals as well as people from the transgender community are needed to develop SOC that reflect new evolutions and are global applicable.

The promotion of professional practices based on a depathologization and human rights perspective constitutes a relevant aspect in contemporary trans health care and researchn including the use of respectful, non-discriminatory and non-pathologizing conceptualizations, terminologies and visual representations in scientific events, conferences as well as in the SOC. The elaboration of ethical principles is a collective process requiring an ongoing experience exchange and discussion. The EPATH Conference provides an adequate space for this shared reflection process.