In yet another aggressive move against transgender rights, former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order effectively outlawing federal support for gender-affirming care for minors. The order, titled “Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” frames transition-related healthcare as harmful, disregarding years of medical research supporting its benefits. Under the directive, the U.S. government will no longer provide funding or assistance for puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgeries for transgender minors—policies that medical experts argue will endanger vulnerable youth.
The order, which defines minors as individuals under the age of 19, goes even further by limiting research grants to hospitals and medical institutions that support gender-affirming treatments. It also compels the Department of Health and Human Services to rescind guidance from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), an organization that sets global standards for transgender healthcare. Critics warn that these measures will not only strip trans youth of essential medical care but also hinder scientific research that could improve their well-being. Lambda Legal, a prominent LGBTQ advocacy group, has vowed to challenge the order in court, arguing that it unfairly singles out transgender minors while allowing similar treatments for cisgender youth.
Despite the inflammatory rhetoric of the order, studies have repeatedly demonstrated the benefits of gender-affirming care. Research published in major medical journals shows that access to puberty blockers and hormone therapy significantly reduces suicide rates and improves mental health outcomes among trans youth. The American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychological Association all support gender-affirming care and oppose government-imposed restrictions. Yet, in a political climate where trans rights are increasingly weaponized for electoral gain, scientific consensus seems to hold little weight.
The executive order follows a wave of state-level restrictions on transgender healthcare, with 26 states having already enacted laws limiting access to treatment. While proponents of these bans argue they are protecting children, they overlook the reality that gender-affirming care is provided under strict medical guidelines and always requires parental consent. Trump’s latest order sends a clear message: the federal government is now aligning itself with the most extreme anti-trans policies in the country.
For the LGBTQ community, the consequences of this order could be devastating. By denying trans youth the care they need, the administration is subjecting them to unnecessary suffering and reinforcing harmful narratives that question the validity of their identities. The legal battle ahead may be long, but advocates are determined to fight for the rights of trans minors—and to ensure that their dignity and well-being are not sacrificed for political expediency.