Navigating new norms: Essay and personal reflections on gender identity and affirming care.

Gender‐affirming care saves lives. Research indicates that social interventions such as name/pronoun changes and medical interventions such as hormone therapy directly benefit youth and adolescents and can be a protective factor for the maladaptive effects of gender dysphoria and the all‐too‐common associated depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. This piece takes personal experiences supporting a sibling through their transition as well as the professional experiences garnered to comment on the impact of gender‐affirming care on a more personal level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]