It was in the fall of 2024 that Connor McGaffick embarked on a college project while at the University of Pittsburgh with the singular goal of advocating for a cause deeply close to his heart. As a transgender person in the field of public health, he knew instinctively that he wanted to develop a resource to bolster support for transgender individuals. He was connected with two invaluable community partners, Alicyn S. and Braeden B., who guided the development of this crucial initiative.
The initial phase of McGaffick’s project involved shadowing appointments for gender-affirming care. This provided him with first-hand insight into the specific support needs of the community. “In observing these interactions with transgender youth seeking gender-affirming care as well as their families,” McGaffick explains, “I noticed that many families had similar concerns and had heard the same kinds of misinformation surrounding gender-affirming care in youth.”
These shared concerns were the catalyst for Connor’s decision to develop an annotated bibliography. The aim? To directly address common questions, curiosities, concerns, and misconceptions regarding gender-affirming care for transgender youth. “With the rise in misinformation regarding gender-affirming care, it is important to share the reputable data which shows that allowing transgender youth to be themselves benefits them greatly with very low risk,” McGaffick emphasizes. Numerous studies were meticulously cited, summarized, and organized into categories based on their respective topics.
In a further effort to equip and empower the community, McGaffick also developed a comprehensive resource library. This categorized library will be continuously updated to ensure its ongoing relevance and accuracy. It even includes his email address, offering a direct line for transgender individuals, allies, and family members who have more specific questions that need addressing.
“This library aims to ease the stress and burden that transgender people and their families face,” McGaffick shares, “especially now with heightened misinformation, stigma, and barriers to care.” Through these vital resources, McGaffick is not just challenging misinformation; he is actively building a pathway to understanding, support, and affirmation for transgender youth and their families in Pittsburgh and beyond.
