A positive manifesto from @BPSOfficial. But how does the BPS define 'gender identity'? What does it mean? Does the condition of childhood gender dysphoria now fall outside the area of psychology? And if so, why is this condition uniquely exempt from psychological examination?
This is important because if children and young people are denied help to understand their psychological distress, the only other option is medical intervention. The development of a psychological model of understanding of gender dysphoria is urgently needed.
Particularly the reasons for the current surge in referrals to GIDS and especially as many of these young people are same-sex attracted. Medically 'changing sex' makes them 'straight.' Might this not be just another form of gay conversion therapy?
This is a nuanced issue which should not be masked within a supposedly progressive 'Equalities' framework which absolves professionals of responsibility to look at why so many adolescents - particularly girls and ASD teenagers - are suddenly 'coming out' as 'trans.'
'Gender identity' is an ideological concept of 'innate' gender feelings, with no basis in science. Replacing psychology with ideology masks the many different reasons that children may feel distressed about the sex they were born.
Among young people identifying as 'transgender' there are high rates of co-morbidities, including pre-existing mental health problems, previous trauma and chaotic family backgrounds. If psychological support is denied, the most vulnerable children are being let down.
Psychological exploration of underlying issues should not be seen as 'conversion therapy.' So this statement in the @BPSOfficial manifesto is worrying. It takes a complex psychological issue and turns it into simplistic ideological doctrine. 
