The year 2025 brings with it a wave of new legislation across the United States, reflecting a growing national divide over issues like artificial intelligence, data privacy, and transgender healthcare. Among the most concerning developments for LGBTQ advocates is New Hampshire’s ban on gender-affirming surgeries for minors, a move that has sparked fear and uncertainty among transgender youth and their families. While hormone therapies and puberty blockers remain legal in the state, the prohibition on surgical procedures—paired with restrictions on physician referrals for out-of-state care—represents a sharp departure from New Hampshire’s previous legislative stance on LGBTQ rights.
Chris Erchull, a senior staff attorney at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, emphasized that such laws set a dangerous precedent, singling out transgender individuals for unique medical restrictions not applied to other patient groups. “The decision about a child’s medical care should remain between doctors, patients, and their families,” Erchull noted. The law’s prohibition on out-of-state referrals further isolates transgender minors and deprives families of vital information and resources. Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health highlight that surgical interventions for transgender minors are exceedingly rare, making the law’s intent appear more symbolic than practical.
The ripple effects of these measures are already being felt. Families are reportedly considering leaving New Hampshire to seek safer environments for their transgender children. The state now joins 25 others in imposing some form of restriction on gender-affirming care for minors, signaling a broader national trend. As the Supreme Court prepares to rule on Tennessee’s similar ban, the outcome could have sweeping consequences for transgender youth across the country.
On the technological front, Illinois and California are pioneering new AI-related regulations. In Illinois, laws prohibit the unauthorized use of AI-generated digital replicas of individuals, both in life and posthumously. California’s legislation similarly demands consent from performers for AI-generated replications, with protections extending decades after their death. Advocates argue these measures are essential to safeguarding individual identity and intellectual property in an era of rapid technological advancement.
Meanwhile, California’s ban on legacy admissions at private colleges aims to level the educational playing field, eliminating preferences for applicants with familial ties to alumni or donors. The law arrives in the wake of last year’s Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action, reflecting a broader push for equity in academic admissions.
As these laws take effect, their impact—particularly on marginalized communities like transgender youth—will continue to unfold. For now, the legislative landscape of 2025 serves as a stark reminder of the ideological divides shaping American society.