For Immediate Releasewww.wpath.org
wpath@wpath.org
phone: 1+(847) 752-5328
fax: 1+(224) 633-2166

November 15, 2017
This statement replaces WPATH’s Identity Recognition Statement of January 19, 2015.

WPATH Identity Recognition Statement2575 Northwest Parkway
Elgin, IL 60124

STAFF
Executive Director
Sue O’Sullivan
sue@wpath.com

Executive Director of Global
Education & Development
Donna Kelly
donna@wpath.org

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President
Gail Knudson, MD, FRCPC
President-Elect
Vin Tangpricha, MD, PhD
SecretaryRandi Ettner, PhD
Treasurer
Walter Pierre Bouman, MDPast-President
Jamison Green, PhD

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tamara Adrian, JD
Tone Marie Hansen
Dan Karasic, MD
Baudewijntje Kreukels, PhD
Katherine Rachlin, PhD
Loren Schecter, MD
Sam Winter, PhD

Student Representative
Luke Allen, MA

EPATH Representative
Griet De Cuypere, MD

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) recognizes that,for optimal physical and mental health, persons must be able to freely express theirgender identity, whether or not that identity conforms to the expectations of others.
WPATH further recognizes the right of all people to identity documents consistent with
their gender identity, including those documents which confer legal gender status. Suchdocuments are essential to the ability of all people to enjoy rights and opportunities equal
to those available to others; to access accommodation, education, employment, and healthcare; to travel; to navigate everyday transactions; and to enjoy safety. Transgenderpeople, regardless of how they identify or appear, should enjoy the gender recognition all
persons expect and deserve.
Medical and other barriers to gender recognition for transgender individuals may harm
physical and mental health. WPATH opposes all medical requirements that act as barriers
to those wishing to change legal sex or gender markers on documents. These include
requirements for diagnosis, counseling or therapy, puberty blockers, hormones, any formof surgery (including that which involves sterilization), or any other requirements for any
form of clinical treatment or letters from doctors. WPATH argues that marital andparental status should not be barriers to recognition of gender change, and opposes
requirements for persons to undergo periods living in their affirmed gender, or for
enforced waiting or 'cooling off' periods after applying for a change in documents.
Further, court and judicial hearings can produce psychological, as well as financial andlogistical barriers to legal gender change, and may also violate personal privacy rights orneeds.
WPATH advocates that appropriate gender recognition should be available to transgenderyouth, including those who are under the age of majority, as well as to individuals
who are incarcerated or institutionalized. WPATH recognizes that there is a spectrum ofgender identities, and that choices of identity limited to Male or Female may beinadequate to reflect all gender identities. An option of X, NB (non-binary), or Other (asexamples) should be available for individuals who so choose.
WPATH urges governments to eliminate barriers to gender recognition, and to institutetransparent, affordable and otherwise accessible administrative procedures affirming selfdetermination, when gender markers on identity documents are considered necessary.
These procedures should be based in law and protect privacy.