Everything about gender,
in one place.
Terms, medical care, legal rights, science and social developments — clearly organised and with sources.
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About Genderinfo.nl
What is Genderinfo.nl?
The debate on gender, gender identity and transgender care affects young people, parents, healthcare providers, education, policymakers and journalists. In the Dutch information landscape one perspective tends to dominate — the gender-affirmative model — while scientific caveats and international reorientations (Cass Review, Scandinavian policy changes) often remain underexposed. Genderinfo.nl provides, per topic, factual explanation, the accompanying debates and the sources on which those debates rely.
terms explained
project websites
countries compared
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Explore the platform
Pick a topic to get started
The gender debate affects young people, parents, healthcare providers, education and policymakers. Every category contains factual explanation and the current debates — with sources included.
For whom?
What information are you looking for?
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For yourself
Questions about your own gender identity, care pathway or detransition. Accessible terms and step-by-step explanations.
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For parents
What do you do when your child has questions about gender? How does the care pathway work? Which critical perspectives exist?
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For care and education
Clinical protocols, international developments, methodological caveats and international policy changes.
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For media and policy
Legislation, international comparison, policy developments and factual background for publications.
In the spotlight
The Dutch Protocol is under pressure.
The original Dutch care model for young people with gender dysphoria is being reconsidered internationally. The British Cass Review (2024) and Scandinavian reorientations have called into question the scientific basis for puberty blockers and gender-affirmative care.
Timeline
Key moments in gender care
From the origins of the Dutch Protocol to today's international reorientation.
Start of Dutch adolescent care
The VUmc in Amsterdam begins multidisciplinary gender care for young people — the foundation for what would later be called the Dutch Protocol.
The Dutch Protocol published
Cohen-Kettenis and colleagues publish the protocol for puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones in adolescents.
DSM-5: gender dysphoria replaces disorder
The American psychiatric classification replaces "gender identity disorder" with "gender dysphoria" — less stigmatising, focused on the suffering itself.
Littman publishes ROGD paper
Lisa Littman describes in PLOS ONE a pattern of suddenly emerging gender dysphoria in adolescents — the subject of heavy methodological debate.
Bell v Tavistock
The British court restricts puberty blockers for minors — the first major legal intervention in Western transgender care policy.
WPATH Standards of Care version 8
The global transgender care guideline is revised, with age limits among other things removed — criticised for lack of evidentiary support.
Scandinavian reorientation
Finland, Sweden and Norway restrict hormonal treatments for minors to research settings — psychosocial care takes priority.
Cass Review appears
Britain's Hilary Cass publishes four years of research: the evidence base for puberty blockers and hormones in young people is weak. NHS England stops routine prescription.
International policy shift
Several Western countries are revising care for young people. The Dutch debate is growing; Amsterdam UMC and Radboud UMC are working on their own evaluations.
Frequently searched
Popular terms
Frequently asked questions
What many people want to know
What is the difference between gender and sex?
Sex usually refers to biological characteristics (chromosomes, hormones, anatomy). Gender encompasses the psychological, social and cultural aspects — role expectations, identity and expression. In practice the two terms are often used interchangeably. See /en/gender-and-biological-sex/.
How many transgender people are there in the Netherlands?
Estimates vary widely — from around 0.1% (registered sex-registration changes) to about 1% based on self-reporting of a transgender identity. Referrals to gender clinics have grown tenfold since 2010, especially among young people. See /en/research-and-statistics/.
What is the Dutch Protocol?
The treatment model developed in Amsterdam in which selected young people with persistent gender dysphoria first receive puberty blockers, later cross-sex hormones, and possibly surgery in adulthood. It has been internationally influential; it is now subject to reconsideration. See /en/dutch-protocol/.
What does the Cass Review say?
The four-year British study led by paediatrician Hilary Cass concludes that the scientific basis for puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones in young people with gender dysphoria is weak. In 2024 the report led to policy changes in the NHS. See /en/cass-review/.
How old do you have to be for gender care in the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands puberty blockers are available from the start of puberty (from around 12 years) after extensive diagnostics; cross-sex hormones from 16; surgery from 18. Waiting times, however, run up to several years. See /en/waiting-times-and-care-pathway/.
What is detransition?
Detransition is the reversal of an earlier transition — social, medical or both. The percentage of detransitioners is debated: figures vary depending on definition and study design, from <1% to more than 10%. See /en/detransition/ and Transspijt.nl.