STP, International Campaign Stop Trans Pathologization
The International Day of Action for Trans Depathologization 2014, convened by STP, International Campaign Stop Trans Pathologization1, took place on Saturday, October 18, 2014. Within the framework of this Call to Action, 108 groups and organizations coordinated more than 90 actions for trans depathologization in 45 cities2 of different world regions throughout this day and the entire month of October under the slogan “Stop Trans Pathologization – Stop Pathologizing Gender Diversity in Childhood – For the Diversity of Gender Expressions and Identities”. Furthermore, to date 390 groups, organizations and activist networks in six continents, as well as numerous individuals have declared their support of STP, International Campaign Stop Trans Pathologization3.
The International Day of Action for Trans Depathologization 2014 is the sixth edition of this Call to Action, celebrated each year since 2009 on an international level with the objective of demanding the removal of the diagnostic classification of gender transition as a ‘mental disorder’ and claiming state-funded access to a trans health care of the highest attainable quality. Other relevant demands include the removal of the diagnostic classification of gender diversity in childhood, the change of the trans health care model from the current assessment model towards an approach based on informed decision making, the legal recognition of name and gender without medical requirements, as well as the protection of trans people against discrimination and transphobic violence.
In relation to the revision process of the ICD, International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, developed by the WHO, World Health Organization, we evaluate positively 1. The removal of trans-specific categories from the chapter ‘Mental and behavioural disorders’, and 2. The publication of the proposal of new trans-specific categories, elaborated by the WHO Working Group on the Classification of Sexual Disorders and Sexual Health4, in the ICD-11 Beta Draft5.
In order to facilitate public coverage, STP proposes the inclusion of a non-pathologizing mention of trans health care in the ICD-11, as a health care process not based on disease or disorder. We consider the inclusion of a new trans-specific category addressing adolescents and adults in the ICD-11 Beta Draft chapter ‘Conditions related to sexual health’ to meet our proposal in part. However, we are still concerned with regards to 1. The presence of pathologizing categories in the chapter ‘Conditions related to sexual health’, 2. The use of the concept ‘Gender incongruence’ in the title and the definition of the new trans-specific categories, and 3. The continued inclusion of a diagnostic classification of gender diversity in childhood, under the title ‘Gender incongruence of childhood’.
We continue to demand the complete removal of the diagnostic classification of gender diversity in childhood, as mentioned in former press releases and reflective texts6,7,8. In order to avoid the pathologizing connotations of the concept ‘Gender incongruence’, we propose the use of a descriptive language in the title and definition of a new trans-specific category addressing adolescents and adults (using a concept such as ‘Trans Health Care’ of ‘Health Care related to Gender Transition’). Finally, we suggest giving a non-pathologizing approach to the chapter ‘Conditions related to sexual health’, according to the definition of ‘sexual health’ established by the WHO, World Health Organization9.
We would like to highlight that the removal of the trans-specific categories from the chapter ‘Mental and behavioural disorders’ in the ICD-11 Beta Draft, as well as the inclusion of new trans-related categories in the chapter ‘Conditions related to sexual health’ have proposal status, and therefore are still subject to changes and pending approval of ICD-11 by the World Health Assembly, expected in 201710.
While we identify some recent advancements in the field of trans rights and trans depathologization, we nevertheless continue to observe situations of pathologization, psychiatrization, discrimination and social exclusion of trans people worldwide, including a high level of exposure to transphobic violence and institutional ill-treatment. For these reasons, we continue to view trans depathologization activism as relevant, not only in providing critical knowledge to the revision processes of diagnostic manuals, but also in working through broader social change towards societies that are welcoming of gender diversity.
We would like to express our deepest acknowledgment to the groups and organizations in different world regions which, once more, have participated in the International Day of Action for Trans Depathologization.
Stop Trans Pathologization! Stop Pathologizing Gender Diversity in Childhood! For the Diversity of Gender Expressions and Identities!
Coordination Team of STP, International Campaign Stop Trans Pathologization, October 18, 2014.
PDF: www.stp2012.info/STP_Press_Release_October_2014.pdf
1 STP, International Campaign Stop Trans Pathologization. STP launches the Call to Action for the International Day of Action for Trans Depathologization 2014, August 4, 2014. http://www.stp2012.info/old/en/news#call_to_action2014 (retrieved: October 18, 2014).
2 STP, International Campaign Stop Trans Pathologization. Acciones Octubre 2014 / October 2014 Actions.
http://stp2012.info/old/en/press#october2014_actions (retrieved October 18, 2014).
3 STP, International Campaign Stop Trans Pathologization. Support.
http://stp2012.info/old/en/supports (retrieved: October 18, 2014).
4 See: Drescher J, Cohen-Kettenis P, Winter S. Minding the body: Situating gender identity diagnoses in the ICD-11. International Review of Psychiatry, December 2012;24(6):568-577.
5 WHO, World Health Organization (2014). ICD-11 Beta Draft.
http://apps.who.int/classifications/icd11/browse/l-m/en (retrieved: October 18, 2014).
6 STP, International Campaign Stop Trans Pathologization (2013a). Reflections from STP regarding the ICD revision process and publication of the DSM-5, August 1, 2013.
http://stp2012.info/STP_Communique_August2013.pdf (retrieved: October 18, 2014).
7 STP, International Campaign Stop Trans Pathologization (2013b). International Day of Action for Trans Depathologization 2013. Press Release of STP, International Campaign Stop Trans Pathologization, October 19, 2013.
http://www.stp2012.info/STP_Press_Release_October2013.pdf (retrieved: October 18, 2014).
8 GATE, Global Action for Trans* Equality; STP, International Campaign Stop Trans Pathologization (2014). New Developments in the ICD Revision Process, August 19, 2014.
http://www.stp2012.info/old/en/news#information_ICD_revision_process (retrieved: October 18, 2014).
9 “Sexual health: Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled” (WHO 2006: 5). WHO, World Health Organization (2006). Defining sexual health. Report of a technical consultation on sexual health 28-31 January 2002, Geneva. Geneva: WHO, 2006.
http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/sexual_health/defining_sexual_health.pdf (retrieved: October 18, 2014).
10 WHO, World Health Organization (2014). The International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision is due by 2017.http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/revision/en/
Taken from: http://www.stp2012.info/old/en/news#STP_press_release_oct_2014