The mission of the 9,600-member American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is to promote the healthy development of children, adolescents, and families through advocacy, education, and research, and to meet the professional needs of child and adolescent psychiatrists throughout their careers.

• Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” Law Stigmatizes LGBTQ+ Youth and Families

  “Harmful legislation like the ‘Don’t Say Gay or Trans’ bill not only endangers the LGBTQ+ community, but it also jeopardizes their ability to reach their full potential. This action sends a dangerous message that certain voices don’t deserve to be heard. Additionally, this bill is a big step backwards for all marginalized communities, their families, and for the appreciation and understanding of diversity.”

  “AACAP opposes policies that stigmatize normal and healthy expressions of sexual and gender identity… This bill exacerbates the stigma that many LGBTQ+ youth already experience and paves the way for other groups to similarly be targeted… This law grossly undermines the basic tenets of education policy by denying students access to and support from some of the most important and influential adults in their lives. This regressive approach to education and development will have devastating consequences for all, especially for LGBTQ+ youth and families.”

  Date: March 18, 2022

• AACAP Statement Opposing Actions in Texas Threatening the Health, Mental Health and Well-Being of Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth and Their Families

  “The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) supports the healthy development of all children, adolescents, and their families, including transgender and gender-diverse youth and families. Recent state attacks on gender-affirming support and care for transgender and gender-diverse youth endanger the welfare of many young people across the country. These attacks undermine the right of parents and caregivers to access evidence-based and developmentally appropriate treatment”

  Date: March 1, 2022

• AACAP Statement Responding to Efforts to ban Evidence-Based Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth

  "The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) supports the use of current evidence-based clinical care with minors. AACAP strongly opposes any efforts – legal, legislative, and otherwise – to block access to these recognized interventions. Blocking access to timely care has been shown to increase youths’ risk for suicidal ideation and other negative mental health outcomes. Consistent with AACAP’s policy against conversion therapy (2), AACAP recommends that youth and their families formulate an individualized treatment plan with their clinician that addresses the youth’s unique mental health needs under the premise that all gender identities and expressions are not inherently pathological."

  Date: November 8, 2019

• Practice Parameter on Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Sexual Orientation, Gender Nonconformity, and Gender Discordance in Children and Adolescents

  Stewart L. Adelson & American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Committee on Quality Issues, Practice parameter on gay, lesbian, or bisexual sexual orientation, gender nonconformity, and gender discordance in children and adolescents, 51 J. Am. Acad. of Child & Adolesc. Psychiatry 957 (2012).

  "Children and adolescents who are growing up gay, lesbian, bisexual, gender nonconforming, or gender discordant experience unique developmental challenges. They are at risk for certain mental health problems, many of which are significantly correlated with stigma and prejudice. Mental health professionals have an important role to play in fostering healthy development in this population. Influences on sexual orientation, gender nonconformity, and gender discordance, and their developmental relationships to each other, are reviewed. Practice principles and related issues of cultural competence, research needs, and ethics are discussed."

  Date: Sept. 1, 2012