2018 Gender Spectrum Professionals' Symposium

Jennifer Hastings, MD; Micah Rajunov
In an article by Boston's NPR news station, Devon Jones describes his journey of taking testosterone, and then choosing to stop. Designated female at birth, Jones prefers male pronouns and his lower voice - an effect of his time on testosterone. He also prefers his feminine, curvy shape that is reappearing after stopping the hormone treatment: "I wanted to still have breasts that had substance to them, they'd really shrunk and I wanted them back," he states. Jones is one of many individuals who identify beyond the binary and who are using medical methods to realize the body that matches their identity. Great progress has been made in the medical and mental health communities in supporting transgender individuals. However, much of this progress focuses on supporting transition within the binary. This workshop will focus on coaching professionals and families alike in how to support gender fluidity, both medically and psychologically. We will explore the myriad of medical options, as well as discuss the importance of using the gender affirmative mental health model in supporting individuals on their exploration of identity.