The World ProfessionalAssociation forTransgender Health, Inc.BeanRobinson,PhDExecutiveDirectorJeffreyWhitman,BSExecutiveAdministrator1300South2ndStreet,Suite180Minneapolis,MN55454USAPhone:1+(612)624‐9397Fax:1+(612)624‐9541Email:[email protected]WebPage:www.wpath.orgEXECUTIVECOMMITTEE‐2009‐2011PresidentWalterBockting,PhDPresident‐ElectLinFraser,EdDSecretary‐TreasurerGailKnudson,MDPast‐PresidentStephenWhittle,OBEBOARDOFDIRECTORS‐2009‐2011MarshaBotzer,MAGeorgeBrown,MDGrietDeCuypere,MDJamisonGreen,MFAKitRachlin,PhDSamWinter,PhDKevanWylie,MB,MDPASTPRESIDENTSPaulA.Walker,PhDDonaldR.Laub,MDMiltonT.Edgerton,MDIraB.Pauly,MDAaronT.Billowitz,MDJanWalinder,MDLeahSchaefer,PhDFriedmannPfaefflin,MDRichardGreen,JD,MDAliceWebb,MSW,DHSEliColeman,PhDWalterJ.MeyerIII,MDStanMonstrey,MDStephenWhittle,OBE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 26, 2010

TheWorld Professional Association for Transgender Healthhasprepared and released a statement urging the de-psychopathologisationof gender variance worldwide. The statement is as follows:The WPATH Board of Directors strongly urges the de-psychopathologisation of gender variance worldwide. The expressionof gender characteristics, including identities, that are notstereotypically associated with one’s assigned sex at birth is a commonand culturally-diverse human phenomenon which should not be judgedas inherently pathological or negative. The psychopathologlisation ofgender characteristics and identities reinforces or can prompt stigma,making prejudice and discrimination more likely, rendering transgenderand transsexual people more vulnerable to social and legalmarginalisation and exclusion, and increasing risks to mental andphysical well-being. WPATH urges governmental and medicalprofessional organizations to review their policies and practices toeliminate stigma toward gender-variant people.”WPATH Board of DirectorsPresidentWalter Bockting, PhDPresident-ElectLin Fraser, EdDSecretary-TreasurerGail Knudson, MDPast-PresidentStephen Whittle, OBEBOARD OFDIRECTORSMarsha Botzer, MAGeorge Brown, MDGriet DeCuypere, MDJamison Green, MFAKit Rachlin, PhDSam Winter, PhDKevan Wylie, MB, MD