Rethinking Gender Affirmation

Editor’s note: Do No Harm is a membership organization representing healthcare professionals, students, patients, policymakers, and concerned citizens of all faith backgrounds. We were invited to provide our medical expertise to assist leaders of a faith community in crafting guidance to address the challenges of gender ideology. Do No Harm’s contributions to this report are intended to provide the best possible medical and scientific information.

The Torah entrusts parents with the sacred task of chinuch ha’banim—raising our children to be yirei shamayim (G-d-fearing) with steadfast adherence to Torah and mitzvos. In these topsy-turvy times, this challenge seems greater than ever. With the advent of the internet and social media, it has become increasingly difficult to shield our children from negative outside influences. One of the more pervasive influences is gender ideology, which preaches the notions that gender is a spectrum and one can be born in the “wrong” body. Gender ideology has contributed to confusion among developing adolescents who might already be struggling to grow comfortable with their changing bodies, leading to a rise in what is conventionally called gender dysphoria but should be more aptly called “sex identity disorder.” When a child experiences gender dysphoria—a profound sense of discomfort or distress about their male or female body—it can be deeply challenging for them, for their parents, and for the rabbis who must guide them. Their mental anguish is real, and it calls for our compassion, sensitivity, and active support. However, some forms of “support” can do more harm than good.

Continue reading the full report below.