Assistant professor Kinnon R. MacKinnon has written an opinion piece for The New York Times that examines the Trump administration’s campaign against transgender rights. The administration has been highlighting many stories about transgender people who have regretted transitioning, after cancelling $800 million in grant funding for LGBTQ research. MacKinnon shares findings from his research team’s study which was designed to better understand reasons for detransition. The survey asked participants about the factors that contributed to their decision to detransition, and responses included change in gender identity, realizing gender dysphoria was related to something else, lack of familial support, mental health related factors, bans on gender care, and a range of other reasons. While many participants reported that they regretted transitioning, others detransitioned due to lack of support or bans on gender care. The study also revealed that gender identity can evolve over time. MacKinnon notes the importance of researching this complex issue to provide the best possible care.
Kinnon R. MacKinnon is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work. He holds a BSW from York University, an MSW from Toronto Metropolitan University and a PhD in Public Health Sciences from Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. His research interests include policy, community-based research, critical mental health, political economy, gender care ethics and practice.
Read the full article in The New York Times (behind paywall).