WPATH labels gender transition guidelines for minors as ‘statements of opinion’

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) has characterized its SOC-8 guidelines regarding minors as ‘statements of opinion’ rather than settled science in a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

This legal maneuver, aimed at addressing allegations of deceptive trade practices and First Amendment retaliation, has drawn criticism from various observers. Critics, including researchers from the Manhattan Institute and representatives from the Alliance Defending Freedom, suggest that by conceding medical and scientific uncertainty regarding treatments for minors, WPATH may have provided insurers with grounds to deny claims for puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries.

Furthermore, legal experts note that this position appears to contradict previous arguments made by WPATH before the Supreme Court regarding state bans on gender-affirming care. The organization has compared its SOC-8 guidelines to other forms of protected free speech, even if critics categorize them differently.