Washington Sees Rise in Youth Gender Diagnoses
A new Manhattan Institute report analyzes trends in transgender-related diagnoses among Washington minors.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Teens
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A Manhattan Institute report reveals that 15,437 Washington minors received transgender-related diagnoses between 2017 and 2023. The data highlights a significant increase in diagnoses among teenage girls, particularly in the 986 ZIP code region.
Why it matters
This increase in recorded diagnoses coincides with heightened political debate in Washington regarding parental rights and youth sports eligibility. Policymakers and residents are now preparing for upcoming ballot measures that address these sensitive issues.
In 2022, 1.73 percent of teenage girls in the state database received a diagnosis, while the rate reached 2.43 percent in ZIP codes beginning with 986. By comparison, youth Type 2 diabetes prevalence stands at 0.067 percent.
The players
Manhattan Institute
This is a conservative think tank based in New York that frequently publishes research on urban policy and social issues.
Mary Bridge Children's Hospital
This is a pediatric healthcare facility based in Tacoma that recently shuttered its gender health clinic.
The details
The report underscores the complex landscape of care, noting that some Washington residents travel to Portland, Oregon, to obtain services. Meanwhile, Mary Bridge Children's Hospital closed its pediatric gender clinic in January 2026, citing potential risks to Medicare and Medicaid funding.
Timeline
2017-2023 marked the period covered by the Manhattan Institute analysis.
2022 was the year when specific diagnosis rates were measured in the database.
October 13, 2026, was the date of a protest by the girls' cross-country team in Camas.
November 3, 2026, is when voters will decide on state ballot measures.
Culture Shift
The publication of the DSM-5 in 2013 provided the clinical framework for the evolving categorization of gender identity that defines modern diagnosis trends. This shift represents a fundamental change in how medical institutions process and code developmental health data.
Families may experience changes in access to care as clinics like Mary Bridge adjust their operational status due to funding concerns. Residents should review the upcoming ballot measures to understand how new regulations on youth sports and parental rights could affect their daily lives.
The takeaway
The data highlights an ongoing shift in healthcare trends that is increasingly intersecting with state-level political discourse. Residents should monitor the upcoming November 3 vote to see how these diagnostic trends influence future legislative policy.
What happens next
Voters across Washington are scheduled to participate in a general election on November 3, 2026, which will feature specific ballot measures regarding parental rights and sports eligibility.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest trends impacting Washington Teens.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Post Millennial.
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