Accanto Health’s Statement of Support for the Transgender Community

We at Accanto Health are deeply concerned by the bills being introduced in state houses across the country that single out LGBTQ+ individuals – many specifically targeting transgender youth – for exclusion or differential treatment. The ACLU is currently tracking 420 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the U.S. These laws are aimed to limit access to medical care for transgender people, parental rights, social and family services, student sports, or access to public facilities such as restrooms, and unnecessarily single out already marginalized groups for additional disadvantage. 

As an inclusive healthcare organization, we strongly believe in every individual’s right to access high-quality care. Emerging data show transgender individuals are at particularly increased risk for eating disordered behaviors. We believe that exclusionary legislation, barriers to care, and societal ostracization is harmful and unjust and will only cause these trends to increase. We are saddened by lawmakers’ refusal to listen to best practices set by the American Psychological Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as many others. We at Accanto stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and strive to create a space that is safe for all, where all are treated with dignity and respect. 

What’s Happening and Additional Resources

• Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures
• Everything That Happened in Anti-Trans Legislation This Week: March 4-11  
• Get the Facts on Gender-Affirming Care  

How to Take Action

• Reach out to your representative – type in your zip code or search by state to find contact information for representatives
• Resources and organizations for Trans folks

References:

Nagata, J.M., Ganson, K.T., & Austin, S.B. (2020). Emerging trends in eating disorders among sexual and gender minorities. Current Opinion in Psychiatry. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8060208/

Riddle, M.C., & Safer, J.D. (2022). Medical considerations in the care of transgender and gender diverse patients with eating disorders. Journal of Eating Disorders. Retrieved from: https://jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40337-022-00699-3