Thousands of children, some as young as 4, are being referred to the United Kingdom’s Gender Identity Development Service, creating a waiting list at the National Health Service facility.  The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust has revealed in a new report that referrals for children are up 25 percent from just a year earlier.  Polly Carmichael, a consulting psychologist and a director for the GIDS, said there is more recognition of students with gender issues and more acceptance,

which apparently translates into more referrals. “There is no single explanation for the increase in referral figures, but we do know in recent years that there has been significant progress towards the acceptance and recognition of transgender and gender diverse people in our society,” Carmichael said in the report. “There is also greater public knowledge about specialist gender clinics and the pathways into them, and an increased awareness of the possibilities around physical treatments for younger adolescents. READ MORE