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Please note!
This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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FACT BRIEF

Can any minor receive sex reassignment surgery?

By Jacob Alabab-Moser
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NO

According to the Thomson Reuters Foundation, "Gender reassignment surgery is widely restricted to adults over the age of 18." 

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health stated sex reassignment surgery should not be carried out until individuals reach the legal age in their country and live in their desired gender role for one year.

Dr. Norman Spack, director of one of the nation's first gender identity medical clinics, told CBS that typically, "Gender-reassignment surgery, which may include removing or creating penises, is only done by a handful of U.S. doctors, on patients at least 18 years old."

Other gender-affirming measures may be taken earlier. Puberty blockers are sometimes prescribed to adolescents and hormones to teens.

As of March 2022, 15 states have implemented or are considering legislation that restricts minors' access to sex reassignment surgery. 

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Thomson Reuters Foundation Who should decide when a child can change gender?
World Professional Association for Transgender Health Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People
CBS News Sex-change treatment for kids on the rise
National Health Service (UK) Gender dysphoria - Treatment
Williams Institute (UCLA Law) Prohibiting gender-affirming medical care for youth
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Gigafact
Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.