Washington State University (WSU) has put on hold a course that looked into alternatives to gender reassignment treatments for children. This decision came after an accrediting organization began investigating amidst backlash from transgender activists.
The course, titled “International Perspectives on Evidence-Based Treatments for Young People with Gender Dysphoria,” belongs to WSU’s Continuing Medical Education (CME) series. This series is designed to help doctors stay updated in the rapidly evolving medical field. Specifically, the course aimed to discuss treatment options for “gender-questioning youth” that do not involve hormone therapies, referencing data from nations that have paused such treatments over safety issues.
The Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM) developed the course over the course of a year, and it received WSU’s certification after a thorough review. However, it was promptly withdrawn following the complaints of concerned activists.
In fact, the course was pulled less than an hour after the blog Erin In The Morning filed a report with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). The ACCME responded by launching an investigation into universities for allowing courses from what they labeled as “anti-trans hate groups.”
WSU informed SEGM that the investigation would lead to a halt in course access for learners, but they did not clarify if this was precautionary or driven specifically by ACCME’s request. While SEGM’s statement did not directly call for the suspension of the course during the inquiry, it indicated WSU had been “asked to suspend learner access.”
An ACCME spokesperson did not provide any comments on the situation.
According to a SEGM spokesperson, there is deep concern regarding the suspension of educational courses that were founded on peer-reviewed, evidence-based research due to activist pressure. They emphasized that these CME modules were intended to help doctors understand how European countries are shifting their approach to gender medicine for young people, particularly regarding safety and long-term outcomes.
Pam Scott, WSU’s vice president for systems communications and strategy, stated that the university’s accreditation of a course “does not mean the university endorses or co-sponsors the organization providing the course,” but it does ensure that the course aligns with ACCME requirements for scientific integrity.
Scott added that the institution collaborates with ACCME to ensure that all certified materials meet their standards, and the modules will remain suspended until the investigation concludes. The school remains dedicated to offering high-quality, evidence-based medical education.
The content of the course was aimed at addressing how recent research has altered global perspectives on effective and safe care for youth experiencing gender dysphoria, with numerous countries, the UK included, ceasing the use of hormone blockers in these cases.
Meanwhile, several CME providers recognized by ACCME offer “gender-affirming” programs, including those from Harvard University and the University of Utah. Additionally, ACCME also acknowledges organizations like Queer CME.
CME credits are generally required and approved by many state medical boards as well as the District of Columbia for certain cultural competency training related to LGBTQ issues.
SEGM expressed disappointment over the decision to cancel the courses under activist influence, stressing that the initiative had undergone extensive accreditation scrutiny. They warned that allowing ideology to overshadow scientific evidence could potentially harm patient care and diminish trust in medical institutions. SEGM advocates for a fair and transparent review process by ACCME based on established standards, arguing that clinicians need access to accurate information concerning gender dysphoria treatment for youth.
Erica Lee, a pediatrician and assistant professor at WSU, recently wrote an open letter urging university leaders to remain steadfast. In her view, there exists a significant knowledge gap in the U.S. related to caring for children and teens with gender-related distress, and addressing it is vital. She cautioned that those pushing for the course’s removal wouldn’t stop at just suspension.
Moreover, she remarked that they might pressure WSU into making public admissions of wrongdoing and repenting for their affiliations, labeling SEGM as a hate group. However, she argued that there was no negligence at play.
This context unfolded against a backdrop where an executive order from President Trump prohibited federal funding for sex change procedures for children, and the Supreme Court granted states the right to impose bans on such practices. Over 25 states now regulate or limit these medical interventions for minors, while several countries have completely outlawed hormone blockers for children.
