‘The Protocol’: The Story Behind Medical Care for Transgender Kids
Context:
A six-part podcast series titled 'The Protocol' explores the origins and evolution of medical care for transgender youth, highlighting the lives altered by these treatments and the mounting legal and political challenges they face in the United States. Since 2021, nearly half of the U.S. states have enacted bans on medical treatments for transgender minors, and the Trump administration has intensified efforts to restrict such care. The Supreme Court is set to weigh in on these issues, which adds a layer of urgency to the ongoing debates. The series begins in the Netherlands, focusing on a clinical psychologist and a 16-year-old who pursued gender-affirming care. The podcast is reported and written by Azeen Ghorayshi and produced by Austin Mitchell, with contributions from several editors, fact-checkers, and audio engineers, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of youth gender medicine and its contentious future.
Dive Deeper:
The podcast series 'The Protocol' delves into the history and impact of medical care for transgender youth, examining the origins and the individuals it aims to help, while considering the future of such treatments amid legal and political scrutiny in the U.S.
Since 2021, legislative actions have led to nearly half of U.S. states passing bans on transgender minors receiving medical treatments, reflecting a broader national debate intensified by the Trump administration's focus on these issues.
The series begins in the Netherlands, recounting the story of a clinical psychologist and a determined 16-year-old, providing historical context to the development of gender-affirming care, which plays a pivotal role in the discussions.
Upcoming decisions by the Supreme Court are expected to significantly influence the direction of medical care for transgender minors, adding a critical dimension to the already heated political and legal battles.
Azeen Ghorayshi and Austin Mitchell lead the reporting and production efforts, supported by a team of editors, fact-checkers, and audio engineers, aiming to deliver an in-depth exploration of the complexities surrounding youth gender medicine and its potential trajectory.