Spokesman-Review (11/06/25) Roland, Mitchell

Washington State University has suspended continuing education courses provided by the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM), an organization designated as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group, while reviewing whether the materials meet accreditation standards. The decision follows concerns raised by staff and more than 30 LGBTQ+ organizations, who urged WSU to revoke accreditation and strengthen oversight, arguing the courses violate non-discrimination policies and undermine trust in equitable healthcare. WSU emphasized that the materials were not created by the university and were accredited under the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education's standards, but said it is now verifying compliance. SEGM, which disputes its hate group designation, claims its programming supports evidence-based, ethical care, though its promotion of theories like Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria has been widely rejected by mainstream medical organizations. Critics, including faculty and advocacy groups, warn that accrediting SEGM's courses risks legitimizing medically unsupported approaches and called for stronger transparency, oversight, and inclusion of gender-affirming care in medical training.

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