Publications

Becker-Warner, R., Candelario-Pérez, L., Rider, G. N., & Berg, D. (2021). Childhood gender nonconformity. In H. L. Armstrong (Ed.), Encyclopedia of sex and sexuality: Understanding biology, psychology, and culture (pp. 110 - 112). ABC-CLIO, LLC.

Kuper, L. E., Rider, G. N., & Amand, C. M. S. (2021). Recognizing the importance of chest surgery for transmasculine youth. Pediatrics, 147(3), e2020029710. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-029710

Spencer, K. G., Berg, D. R., Bradford, N. J., Vencill, J., Tellawi, G., & Rider, G. N. (2021). The Gender Affirmative Lifespan Approach: A developmental model for clinical work with transgender and gender diverse children, adolescents, and adults. Psychotherapy, 58(1), 37-49. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000363

Ashley, F., St. Amand, C., & Rider, G. N. (2021). The continuum of informed consent models in transgender health. Family Practice, 38(4), 543-544. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmab047

Eisenberg, M. E., McMorris, B. J., Rider, G. N., Gower, A. L., & Coleman, E. (2020). “It’s kind of hard to go to the doctor’s office if you’re hated there.” A call for gender-affirming care from transgender and gender diverse adolescents. Health & Social Care in the Community, 28(3), 1082-1089. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12941

Spencer, K. G., Berg, D., Bradford, N., Vencill, J., Tellawi, G. and Rider, G. N. (2020). The Gender Affirmative Lifespan Approach: A developmental model for clinical work with transgender and gender diverse children, adolescents, and adults. Psychotherapy. (In review).

Heredia Jr., D., & Rider, G. N. (2020). Intersectionality in sex therapy: Opportunities for promoting sexual wellness among queer people of color. Invited submission to Current Sexual Health Reports, 12(3), 195-201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-020-00270-8

Vencill, J. A., Candelario-Pérez, L., Jack, E., & Rider, G. N. (2020). Sex and relationship therapy with trans and gender diverse individuals. In S. K. Kattari, N. E. Walls, L. Kattari, & M. K. Kinney (Eds.), Social work and health care with transgender/non-binary individuals and communities (pp. 227-241). New York, NY: Routledge.

Rider, G. N., & Tebbe, E. (in press). Anti-trans theories (including autogynephelia and rapid onset gender dysphoria). In A. Goldberg & G. Beemyn (Eds.), The SAGE encyclopedia of trans studies (pp. ___ - ___).

Tebbe, E., & Rider, N. (in press). Research, recruitment and sampling. In A. Goldberg & G. Beemyn (Eds.), The SAGE encyclopedia of trans studies (pp. ___ - ___).

Bradford, N. J., & Spencer, K. (2020). Sexual pleasure in transgender and gender diverse individuals: An update on recent advances in the field. Current Sexual Health Reports,12(4), 314-319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-020-00284-2

McGuire, J., Berg, D., Catalpa, J., Morrow, Q. J., Fish, J. N., Rider, G. N., Steensma, T., Cohen-Kettenis, P. T., & Spencer, K. (2020). Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale – Gender Spectrum (UGDS-GS): Construct validity among transgender, nonbinary, and LGBQ samples. International Journal of Transgender Health, 21(2), 194-208. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2020.1723460

Rosser, B. R. S., Rider, G. N., Kapoor, A., Talley, K. M. C., Haggart, R., Kohil, N., Konety, B. R., Mitteldorf, D., Polter, E. J., Ross, M. W., & West, W., Wheldon, C., & Wright, M. (in press). Every urologist and oncologist should know about treating sexual and gender minority prostate cancer patients: Translating research findings into clinical practice. Translational Andrology and Urology, accepted for publication November 19, 2020.

Martin, L., Rider, G. N., Johnston-Goodstar, K., Menanteau, B., Palmer, C., & McMorris, B. J. (online first). Prevalence of trading sex among high school students in Minnesota: Demographics, relevant adverse experiences, and health-related statuses. Journal of Adolescent Health., online ahead of print October 5, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.08.021

Tellawi, G., Khanpour, S. & Rider, G. N. (online first) Navigating (queer) sexuality in Islam. Current Sexual Health Reports, online ahead of print October 31, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-020-00290-4

Leibowitz, S., Green, J., Massey, R., Boleware, A. M., Ehrensaft, D., Francis, W., Keo-Meier, C., Olson-Kennedy, A., Pardo, S., Rider, G. N., Schelling, E., Segovia, A., Tangpricha, V., Anderson, E., & T’Sjoen, G. (2020). Statement in response to calls for banning evidence-based supportive health interventions for transgender and gender diverse youth. International Journal of Transgender Health, 21(1), 111-112. https://doi.org/10.1080/15532739.2020.1703652

• This statement is made in support for continued supportive healthcare for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth. Claims that “gender care” causes regret among youths are unsubstantiated. The small percentage (2.2.%) of those who regret gender medical transition, do so because of lacking support in their social groups. Stifling the supportive care for TGD through legislation devalues scientific evidence and medical protocols, and stems from misconceptions about TGD.

 Tatum, A. K., Catalpa, J., Bradford, N. J., Kovic, A., & Berg, D. R. (in press). Examining identity development and transition differences among binary transgender and genderqueer nonbinary (GQNB) individuals. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, accepted for publication 01/28/2020. doi:10.1037/sgd0000377

• On the basis of transformative framework, the research team has identified 7 milestones in the lives of transgender and non-binary people. This framework argues that there are specific steps in the lives of transgender individuals. After analyzing population of transgender and binary individuals who participated in the 2015 USTS survey, this study has found there is a statistically significant difference between experiences of genderqueer nonbinary individuals when compared to the binary transgender people. Applying transformative framework to the diverse group of genderqueer non-binary people, thus, does not account for the unique experiences of this unique group.

McGuire, J. K., Berg, D., Catalpa, J. M., Rider, G. N., & Steensma, T. D. (2020). Genderqueer Identity Scale. In R. R. Milhausen, J. K. Sakaluk, T. D. Fisher, C. M. Davis, & W. L. Yarber (Eds.), Handbook of sexuality-related measures (4th ed., pp. 355-359). New York: Routledge.   

• This study explores how valid and reliable is the Genderqueer Identity Scale (GQI). The scale is used in community and clinical settings to assess identification and expression of genderqueer and non-binary gender characteristics. The statistical analysis shows reliability of the scale, as well as good face validity (i.e., good translation of the concept of genderqueer identity) and good content validity (i.e., it measures and captures well different domains of genderqueer and genderfluid identity). 

McGuire, J. K., Rider, G. N., Catalpa, J. M., Steensma, T. D., Cohen-Kettenis, P. T., & Berg, D. (2020). Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale—Gender Spectrum. In R. R. Milhausen, J. K. Sakaluk, T. D. Fisher, C. M. Davis, & W. L. Yarber (Eds.), Handbook of sexuality-related measures (4th ed., pp. 359-362). New York: Routledge.  

• The Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale—Gender Spectrum (UGDS-GS) is a revision of Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale, which is used to measure gender dysphoria for adults and adolescent. The original scale was separate for assigned male and assigned female, not allowing for appropriate measurement for non-binary or genderqueer people. The scale is valid in both LGBQ and TGQNB groups. Statistical analysis has shown both convergent and discriminant validity, meaning that concepts that theoretically should be related (or not) were in reality indeed related (or not).

Shramko, M., Gower, A. L., McMorris, B. J., Eisenberg, M. E., & Rider, G. N. (online first). Intersections between multiple forms of bias-based bullying among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer youth. International Journal of Bullying Prevention, online ahead of print Oct. 24, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42380-019-00045-3

• Youth with minority identities generally experience bullying at higher rates. This study analyzes 2016 Minnesota Student Survey of 5th, 8th, 9th, and 11th grade students in Minnesota.The results show that transgender and gender-diverse youths report higher rates of bullying on the basis of gender expression and other types of bullying than their cis-gender peers.

Bradford, N. J., Dewitt, J., Decker, J., Berg, D. R., Spencer, K. G., & Ross, M. W. (2019). Sex education and transgender youth: “Trust means material by and for queer and trans people.” Sex Education, 19(1), 84-98. doi:10.1080/14681811.2018.1478808

• This study is based on interviews with 14 transgender youth (ages 14-18) about their experiences and needs in school sex education, and how they may or may not seek additional information from other sources. Majority of interviewees described school sex education as lacking appropriate content about sexual and gender minorities, thus, prescribing cisgender as a “norm.” Important recommendations for sex education include the diversity of content and the diversity of voices delivering it.

Eisenberg, M. E., Gower, A. L., McMorris, B. J., Rider, G. N., & Coleman, E. (2019). Emotional distress, bullying victimization, and protective factors among transgender and gender diverse adolescents in city, suburban, town, and rural locations. The Journal of Rural Health, 35(2), 270-281. doi:10.1111/jrh.12311 

• This study examines differences in emotional distress, bullying, and protective factors for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adolescents that reside in city, suburbs, town and rural areas of Minnesota. Rural TGD students have highest prevalence of bullying and emotional distress, urban TGD students have the lowest prevalence. This is due to more availability of supportive resources and organizations. Surprisingly, TGD students that live in suburbs show higher rates of depression and suicidal ideation than their peers in rural areas.

Eisenberg, M. E., Gower, A. L., Rider, G. N., McMorris, B. J., & Coleman, E. (2019). At the intersection of sexual orientation and gender identity: Variations in emotional distress and bullying experience in a large population-based sample of U.S. adolescents. Journal of LGBT Youth, 16(3), 235-254. doi:10.1080/19361653.2019.1567435

• The analysis of a large sample from Minnesota Student Survey finds that youth identifying as both lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer/questioning (LGBQ) and as transgender/gender diverse (TGD) had significantly higher levels of two measures of emotional distress and four measures of bullying victimization than those who report only identifying as LGBQ non-TGD or straight TGD.

Rider, G. N., Berg, D., Pardo, S., Olson-Kennedy, J., Sharp, C., Tran, K., Calvetti, S., Keo-Meier, C. L. (2019). Using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) with transgender/gender nonconforming children and adolescents. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 7(3), 291-301. doi:10.1037/cpp0000296

• Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is used widely to screen for emotional or behavioral problems among all children and adolescents, including transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) youth. However, the language for the questions and answer options on CBCL is not inclusive of youth who identify as transgender and non-binary. These limitations make it hard for parents/guardians who fill out the CBCL to provide answers that represent the reality, which results in the scoring and analytical errors. This study analyzes the difference in scoring templates (male/female) when used with TGNC children and adolescents and finds that choice in template does not significantly impact the score.

Rider, G. N., McMorris, B. J., Gower, A. L., Coleman, E., Brown, C., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2019). Perspectives from nurses and physicians on training needs and comfort working with transgender and gender-diverse youth. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 33(4), 279-385. doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2018.11.003

• The goal of this study is to hear from nurses and physicians about their training needs to provide competent care to transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth patients. Providers expressed concerns about being perceived as offensive in gender discussions with patients, which is why they over rely on clinical forms. They struggle keeping up with changing terminology and language to start a discussion. They pointed out the lack of training on competent TGD care and language during their education, and the need for networking with other providers, experienced in TGD care. Lack of educational opportunities perpetuates barriers for TGD patients in healthcare settings.

Rider, G. N., McMorris, B. J., Gower, A. L., Coleman, E., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2019). Gambling behaviors and problem gambling: A population-based comparison of transgender/gender diverse and cisgender adolescents. Journal of Gambling Studies, 35(1), 79-92. doi:10.1007/s10899-018-9806-7

• This study aims to address the lack of studies on gambling behaviors of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth. Using the 2016 Minnesota Student Survey data, it finds that TGD youth report greater involvement in gambling, especially TGD youth assigned male at birth. The reasons behind increased involvement in gambling among TGD youth need further research: TGD adolescents may turn to gambling to cope with discomfort related to puberty, mental health concerns and daily stressors.

Taliaferro, L. A., Harder, B. M.*, Lampe, N. M.*, Carter, S. K.*, Rider, G. N., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2019). Social connectedness factors that facilitate use of healthcare services: Comparison of transgender/gender non-conforming and cisgender adolescents. The Journal of Pediatrics, 211, 172-178. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.04.024 

• This analysis of 2016 Minnesota Student Survey has compared transgender and gender diverse (TGD) and cisgender youth on their levels of social connectedness associated with use of healthcare services. It has found that when TGD adolescents are more connected to their parents they increase use of primary and dental care. When TGD youth are more connected to nonparental adults they increase use of mental healthcare. Among cisgender youth, they show increased use of dental care when they’re connected to their friends, and increased use of mental healthcare when they are not connected to their parents.

Tatum, A. K., Catalpa, J., Bradford, N. J., Kovic, A., & Berg, D. R. (under review). Examining identity development and transition differences among binary transgender and genderqueer nonbinary (GQNB) individuals. Submitted to Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, August 2019.

• On the basis of transformative framework, the research team has identified 7 milestones in the lives of transgender and non-binary people. This framework argues that there are specific steps in the lives of transgender individuals. After analyzing population of transgender and binary individuals who participated in the 2015 USTS survey, this study has found there is a statistically significant difference between experiences of genderqueer nonbinary individuals when compared to the binary transgender people. Applying transformative framework to the diverse group of genderqueer non-binary people, thus, does not account for the unique experiences of this unique group.

Comisky, A., Parent, M. C., & Tebbe, E. A. (in press). An inhospitable world: Exploring a model of objectification theory with trans women. Psychology of Women Quarterly, accepted for publication October 15, 2019.

• Authors have surveyed 173 trans women (18 to 61 years old) who live in the US. Trans women internalize cultural standards of attractiveness and, as a result, experience body shame. Authors have also confirmed that the body shame is associated with disordered eating and intention to get silicone injections.

Bradford, N. J., Rider, N., & Spencer, K. G. (online first). Hair removal and psychological well-being in transfeminine adults: Associations with gender dysphoria and gender euphoria. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, online ahead of print November 22, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2019.1687823 

• Transfeminine people commonly pursue hair removal interventions, including electrolysis and laser hair removal. The survey of 281 transfeminine people has shown that hair removal are significantly associated with major mental health symptoms, showing that they bear higher importance than being merely ‘cosmetic.’ Medical and mental health providers should enable and support further access to hair removal for transfeminine patients.

Bradford, N. J., Rider, G. N., Catalpa, J. M., Morrow, Q. J., Berg, D. R., Spencer, K. G., & McGuire, J. (2019). Creating gender: A thematic analysis of genderqueer narratives. [Special Issue]. International Journal of Transgenderism, 20(2-3), 155-168. doi:10.1080/15532739.2018.1474516

• Authors used interviews to understand genderqueer identities. They have found that all transgender people go beyond cis-normative narrative, but genderqueer people go beyond binary understanding of gender. For them, language plays critical role in navigating and crafting their genderqueer experiences.

Catalpa, J. M., McGuire, J. K., Fish, J. N., Rider, G. N., Bradford, N. J., & Berg, D. R. (2019). Predictive validity of the Genderqueer Identity Scale (GQI): Differences between genderqueer, transgender and cisgender sexual minority individuals. [Special Issue]. International Journal of Transgenderism, 20(2-3), 305-314. doi:10.1080/15532739.2018.1528196

• The newly developed Genderqueer Identity Scale (GQI) was used to see differences between binary transgender, genderqueer/non-binary populations (GQNB) and cisgender sexual minority people. The testing has shown that GQI has predictive validity to differentiate between GQNB from binary transgender and cisgender sexual minorities. GQI shows how GQNB shows stronger indicators of genderqueer expression and communication of non-binary status. Both binary and non-binary transgender groups report stronger knowledge of gender constructs and identity.

Rider, G. N., Vencill, J. A., Berg, D. R., Becker-Warner, R., Candelario-Perez, L., & Spencer, K. G. (2019). The Gender Affirmative Lifespan Approach (GALA™): A framework for competent clinical care with nonbinary clients. [Special Issue]. International Journal of Transgenderism, 20(2-3), 275-288.  doi:10.1080/15532739.2018.1485069

• GALA™ was developed as a response to the lack of frameworks in mental health that move beyond the binary understanding of gender. It pushes the following recommendations forward: (1) developing gender literacy;  (2)  building  resiliency;  (3)  moving beyond the binary; (4) exploring pleasure-oriented positive sexuality; and (5) making positive connections to medical interventions. GALA™ promotes gender spectrum as opposed to narrow two option category to allow clients explore all the gender possibilities.

Bradford, N. J., Catalpa, J. M., Rider, G. N., & Spencer, K. G. (2019). Political engagement in transgender sex workers in the United States: Relationships to sexual and mental health. In A. Giami & E. Janssen (Eds.), Abstracts for the 24th Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS). International Journal of Sexual Health, 31(sup1), A367-A368. https://doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2019.1661941 

• This study, which was based on the United States Transgender Survey data, has shown that transgender sex workers who participate in the grassroots activities are younger, report higher rates of HIV testing, are more financially secure, and have lower levels of psychological distress.

Heredia Jr., D., & Rider, G. N. (2019). Erotic art and cognitive behavioral interventions in sex therapy: Dismantling body shame among sexual and gender diverse people of color. In A. Giami & E. Janssen (Eds.), Abstracts for the 24th Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS). International Journal of Sexual Health, 31(sup1), A440. https://doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2019.1661941 

• Authors identified how erotic art can expand traditional sex therapy for sexual and gender diverse (SGD) people of color (POC).For example, reviewing erotic art on paper can help patients to identify what triggers shame in them (e.g. body type, gender expression). This helps SGD POC to explore what triggers them, and what they can do to mitigate that shame and increase their pleasure in sex.

Spencer, K., Rider, G. N., Bradford, N. J., Berg, D. R., & Tellawi, G. (2019). Working effectively across the lifespan with transgender/non-binary clients in sex therapy. In A. Giami & E. Janssen (Eds.), Abstracts for the 24th Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS). International Journal of Sexual Health, 31(sup1), A223. https://doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2019.1661941 

• Authors talked about the Pleasure Oriented Positive Sexuality (POPS) in sex therapy with transgender/gender non-conforming (TGNC) clients. It is a part of the Gender Affirmative Lifespan Approach (GALA), and it aims to promote sexual pleasure and satisfaction for TGNC populations.

Taliaferro, L. A., McMorris, B. J., Rider, G. N., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2019). Risk and protective factors for self-harm in a population-based sample of transgender youth. Archives of Suicide Research, 23(2), 203-221. doi:10.1080/13811118.2018.1430639 

• This study is based on the data from 2016 Minnesota Student Survey. The research has shown that over half (51.6%) of transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) adolescents reported self-harm behavior in the past year. The factors that differentiated adolescents with no self-harm and those with self-harm reports were mental health problems, depression, running away from home, substance use. Clinicians and school staff need to prepare to mitigate risk factors to reduce risk of self-harm and/or attempt suicide.

Berg, D., & Edwards-Leeper, L. (2018). Child and family assessment. In C. Keo-Meier, & D. Ehrensaft (Eds.), The gender affirmative model: An interdisciplinary approach to supporting transgender and gender expansive children (pp. 101-124). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. 

• This chapter looks at different assessment measures used by mental health professionals for prepubescent gender diverse children. Current assessment protocols are binary (boy or girl) in their nature, so clinicians need to be creative using them to move beyond the binary understanding of gender. The authors provide a range of actionable recommendations for assessment with existing protocols to provide holistic gender affirmative care.

Gower, A. L., Rider, G. N., Brown, C., McMorris, B. J., Coleman, E., Taliaferro, L. A., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2018). Supporting transgender and gender diverse youth: Protection against emotional distress and substance use. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 55(6), 787-794. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2018.06.030 

• The study is based on the 2016 Minnesota Student Survey data. It shows that transgender and gender diverse adolescents have lower odds of emotional distress and substance abuse when they have social support – connectedness to parents, adult relatives, friends, adults in the community, and teachers; youth development opportunities; feeling safe in the community and at school. Feeling connected to parents protects from all factors like substance use, depression, and suicidality. Feeling safe at school and being connected to adults protects against depression and suicidality; feeling connected to teachers mitigates the risk of substance use (alcohol, nicotine, marijuana).

Gower, A. L., Rider, G. N., Coleman, E., Brown, C., McMorris, B. J., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2018). Perceived gender presentation among transgender and gender diverse youth: Approaches to analysis and associations with bullying victimization and emotional distress. LGBT Health, 5(5), 312-319. doi:10.1089/lgbt.2017.0176 

• The Minnesota Student Survey was used to find associations between gender presentation, bullying, and emotional distress. The survey included 2168 9th and 11th graders who identified as transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adolescents. The analysis has shown that TGD youths had higher odds of bullying victimization and emotional distress. Authors also have found that ANOVA statistical approach allows for better comparisons between groups without having a reference group. This methodological recommendation is important because reference groups in gender-themed research can reinforce cisnormative ideas, which argue that assigned sex at birth, gender identity and gender presentation should all match and be either male or female.

McGuire, J. K., Berg, D., & Catalpa, J. M. (under review). Genderqueer identity scale. In R. Milhausen (Ed.), Handbook of sexuality-related measures (4th ed.). New York: Routledge.  Under review. 

• This study explores how valid and reliable is the Genderqueer Identity Scale (GQI). The scale is used in community and clinical settings to assess identification and expression of genderqueer and non-binary gender characteristics. The statistical analysis shows reliability of the scale, as well as good face validity (i.e., good translation of the concept of genderqueer identity) and good content validity (i.e., it measures and captures well different domains of genderqueer and genderfluid identity).

McGuire, J. K., Rider, G. N., Berg, D., & Catalpa, J. M. (under review). Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale – Gender Spectrum (UGDS-GS). In R. Milhausen (Ed.), Handbook of sexuality-related measures (4th ed.).  New York: Routledge. Under review. 

• The Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale—Gender Spectrum (UGDS-GS) is a revision of Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale, which is used to measure gender dysphoria for adults and adolescent. The original scale was separate for assigned male and assigned female, not allowing for appropriate measurement for non-binary or genderqueer people. The scale is valid in both LGBQ and TGQNB groups. Statistical analysis has shown both convergent and discriminant validity, meaning that concepts that theoretically should be related (or not) were in reality indeed related (or not).

Rider, G. N., McMorris, B. J., Gower, A. L., Coleman, E., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2018). Youth and provider perspectives on improving health care experiences for transgender and gender nonconforming adolescents: A mixed methods study. Journal of Adolescent Health, 62(2), S4. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.11.011

• This study used a combination of interviews with physicians and nurses, and quantitative data from the Minnesota Student Survey. The results have shown that transgender and non-conforming (TGNC) youths reported poorer health, and less preventative health check-ups than cisgender students. Providers expressed need in training about gender and the ways to discuss gender with students, which would improve quality of care for TGNC students.

Rider, G. N., McMorris, B. J., Gower, A. L., Coleman, E., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2018). Health and care utilization of transgender and gender nonconforming youth: A population-based study. Pediatrics, 141(3), e20171683. doi:10.1542/peds.2017-1683

• Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) adolescents face barriers in accessing and receiving health care compared to cisgender peers. Previous research in support of this finding was limited to the small and non-representative samples. This study, based on the 2016 Minnesota Student Survey, finds that TGNC students report poorer health, lower rates of preventive health checkups, and more nurse office visits.

Strang, J. F., Janssen, A., Tishelman, A., Leibowitz, S. F., Kenworthy, L., McGuire, J. K., Edwards-Leeper, L., Mazefsky, C. A., Rofey, D., Bascom, J., Caplan, R., Gomez-Lobo, V., Berg., D., Anthony, L. G. (2018). Letter to the Editor. Revisiting the link: Evidence of the rates of autism in studies of gender diverse individuals. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 57(11), 885-887. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2018.04.023

• This work is a response to the work by Turban and van Schalkwyk, who argue that the current evidence does not support overrepresentation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in gender dysphoria. Strang and colleagues have found empirical studies that show greater occurrence of clinical ASD in the gender-diverse sample. They argue that it is important to recognize people with co-occurrence of ASD and gender diversity.

Eisenberg, M.E., Gower, A.L., McMorris, B.J., Rider, G.N., Shea, G., & Coleman, E. (2017). Risk and protective factors in the lives of transgender/gender nonconforming adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 61(4), 521-526. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.04.014

• This study, based on the Minnesota Student Survey, looks at high-risk behaviors among transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) youth. It finds that TGNC youth are more prone to involve in high-risk behavior. They also report a higher rate of suicidal ideation. Health care providers are advised to act as allies by creating a safe space for young people, bolstering protective factors, and supporting their healthy development.

Spencer, K. (2017). Femininity. In K. Nadal (Ed.) The SAGE Encyclopedia of Psychology and Gender (pp. 546 - 548). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 

• This is an encyclopedia definition of femininity. It is defined as a gender term related to culturally defined traits usually ascribed to females, women, and girls, including ideas of appearance, mannerisms, and ways of relating. It is separate from biological female sex, and one can possess feminine traits irrespective of their assigned sex at birth.

Spencer, K. (2017). Femme. In K. Nadal (Ed.) The SAGE Encyclopedia of Psychology and Gender (pp. 570 - 571). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 

• This encyclopedia entry explains the definition and history of femme as a concept. Femme, used across gender identities, typically means someone who expresses and presents themselves congruent with culturally defined feminine norms. It is important to note that in a genderqueer community femme is not recreating heteronormative femininity, but rather “reclaiming” and defining it separate from stereotypical understanding of feminine in the Western culture.

 Spencer K.G., Iantaffi, A., & Bockting, W. (2017). Treating sexual problems in transgender clients. In Z.D. Peterson (Ed.), The Wiley Handbook of Sex Therapy (pp. 291-305). Chichester, West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

• Authors discuss sex therapy with transgender clients from an inclusive perspective to show the range of bodies and experiences that therapists will come across when working with this population. The themes discussed include sexuality concerns, medical interventions and post-surgical concerns, safer sex, dating, considerations for providers.

Spencer, K. G., & Vencill, J. A. (2017). Body beyond: A pleasure-based, sex positive group therapy curriculum for transfeminine adults. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 4(4), 392-402. doi:10.1037/sgd0000248 

• This article outlines the curriculum of an 8-week, pleasure-based sexual health therapy group for transfeminine-identified people, including transgender women, who face significant societal barriers to competent and affirming clinical care. It includes 8 modules covering a range of transfeminine-specific topics. It is pleasure-based and sex positive in nature, going beyond disease prevention approach prevalent in sexual healthcare.

Testa, R. J., Rider, G. N., Haug, N. A., & Balsam, K. F. (2017). Gender confirming medical interventions and eating disorder symptoms among transgender individuals. Health Psychology, 36(10), 927-936. doi:10.1037/hea0000497

• This research study included 154 transfeminine spectrum (TFS) and 288 transmasculine spectrum (TMS) participants. Authors found that TFS individuals' gender-confirming medical interventions reduce the stress related to non-affirmation, increases body satisfaction and reduces rates of eating disorder symptoms. This suggests that satisfaction with one’s body, for example, after medical surgery, reduces risks of eating disorder, even if the societal pressures have not changed.

Spencer K.G., Iantaffi, A., & Bockting, W. (2017). Treating sexual problems in transgender clients. In Z.D. Peterson (Ed.), The Wiley Handbook of Sex Therapy (pp. 291-305). Chichester, West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 

• Authors discuss sex therapy with transgender clients from an inclusive perspective to show the range of bodies and experiences that therapists will come across when working with this population. The themes discussed include sexuality concerns, medical interventions and post-surgical concerns, safer sex, dating, considerations for providers.