Queer and transgender people have always been at the forefront of liberatory struggle and progress. Steadfast in the plight for equity, trans leaders like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Cecilia Gentili paved the way not only for members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community but for many marginalized groups to live and maintain full, authentic lives. Their dedication to challenging societal norms and demanding equal human rights for the most vulnerable members of our community, often at the risk of further ostracization, is something that we should celebrate and be grateful for.
We should be elated that there are so many incredible current and emerging trans leaders dedicated to continuing trans and queer justice advocacy. We should be excited that trans youth know who they are and have access to the resources needed to live their truth. We should be proud of the medical professionals who took an oath to provide their patients with the lifesaving care they desperately need. It is precisely because the liberation of trans people means the liberation of all marginalized folks that the Trump Administration is directly, violently attacking the trans community. Once again, we are shaking our heads in disappointment…
While Trump has only been in office for a little over two weeks, he has already signed dozens of harmful Executive Orders, that attack our most vulnerable people in our communities. In fact, Trump recently signed an Executive Order claiming that the Administration plans to ban access to gender-affirming care for young people under the age of 19 (UNACCEPTABLE, we know!). This Executive Order is NOT in effect right now and will be legally challenged when it does go into effect.
Aside from the Executive Order being discriminatory, it is also riddled with misinformation, disinformation, lies, and junk science. It is important to note that every major medical association including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Endocrine Society, recognizes gender-affirming care as necessary, life-saving health care.
Unfortunately, we have seen this before. We knew this was coming, and we are here with this blog to break the Executive Order down for you. (Please do not panic…at least not yet!)
WHO IS IMPACTED?
While the Trump Administration frames this Executive Order as something designed to “protect” youth, it is actually a dog whistle with many targets in mind. First, it targets trans youth, challenging their safety by trying to make critical, lifesaving care inaccessible. The Executive Order contains dangerous rhetoric inaccurately depicts gender-affirming care, centering imaginary surgical procedures, and ignoring the many ways in which people access the care they need. When trans and queer youth do not have access to this kind of care, studies show they are more likely to experience isolation, depression, and suicidality.
Second, the Executive Order targets medical professionals who provide gender-affirming care and/or share resources and information supporting those interested in receiving gender-affirming care. Trump’s Executive Order lays out plans to delegitimize and criminalize the entire medical profession of gender-affirming care, targeting medical professionals through civil and criminal enforcement. This is not far from the attempts to criminalize abortion providers through targeted attacks like the reclassification of mifepristone and misoprostol in Louisiana. Again, it is no secret that since the 2022 Dobbs’ decision that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, many providers have been in a constant state of fear and uncertainty regarding the legal landscape, its impacts on the provision of care, and on the overall status of our health system. Through this Executive Order, Trump is using the same fundamentalist playbook we see anti-abortion lawmakers use in an attempt to deny people of their right to bodily autonomy.
Finally, the Executive Order targets the general public by perpetuating stigma. When an anti-trans policy is introduced, it has an impact on how the public perceives trans people. This Executive Order has the potential to embolden the general public to discriminate against queer and trans people, specifically trans youth, under the notion that trans people are “confused” and will “eventually regret getting gender-affirming care.”
…and speaking of lies! Here are the rest:
Overall, the Executive Order makes dangerous claims about gender-affirming care. This is an attempt to villainize people who need and provide gender-affirming care and design a fear-inducing narrative about transgender people.
BUT HERE ARE THE FACTS
Gender-affirming care is safe, necessary, life-saving care backed by decades of evidence-based practices and the stories and reflections of trans people. No children are harmed in the process of accessing gender-affirming care, and no child is forced or coerced to receive gender-affirming care. The only life-altering effects that gender-affirming care has on people accessing that care are ones of acceptance, relief, euphoria, and being able to fully be oneself.
It is necessary to point out that despite misinformation in the Executive Order, only a very small number of trans youth are receiving surgical procedures and this is after rigorous medical assessment. Most are relying on haircuts, clothing, changes in names and pronouns, and gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) to live authentically. In the cases where trans individuals to participate in gender-affirming surgical procedures, it is extremely rare that they regret their decision. In a recent study published by the National Library of Medicine, with a population size of 3662 patients, the pooled prevalence of regret was less than 2%. The government refusing to listen to and provide health care to young people who need it is a form of state violence and abuse.
According to a recent study from the Trevor Project, when queer and trans youth have access to gender-affirming care, specifically hormone replacement therapy and puberty blockers, they are less likely to be depressed and less likely to have experience suicidality and self-harm.
THE POINT IS
“Young people, with the support of their families and loved ones, should be trusted to make informed decisions about their health care and bodily autonomy. Young people, just like people of all ages, are deserving of trust, care, attention, and respect, especially when navigating health care decisions.”
-Dr. Meera Shah, family medicine physician in New York and Board Member with Physicians for Reproductive Health
WHEN IS THIS HAPPENING?
The Executive Order states it will try to go into effect in 60 days. At this time, there is no national gender-affirming care ban in effect. Trump’s Executive Order is a fear-mongering tactic spreading and exacerbating misinformation about gender-affirming care and ongoing discrimination, bigotry, and criminalization of trans and queer youth. The Executive Order attempts to prohibit and criminalize gender-affirming care. But it takes more than a sharpie to do that. This policy will be challenged in court.
Because this Executive Order is not currently in effect, providers should critically interrogate decisions to stop providing this care. We know our legal partners are ready to push back against this dangerous and unlawful plan to ban care.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
Trump’s Executive Order attempting to ban gender-affirming care for young people places trans folks, non-binary individuals, and gender expansive people at risk of criminalization along with the health care providers providing this life-saving care. This order stigmatizes and silos the LGBTQIA community, directly leading to an increase in hate, in violence, in criminalization, and in people not getting the safe health care they need.
This Executive Order is an attempt to implement a nation-wide gender-affirming care ban and is laying the groundwork for future attacks on reproductive health care, including abortion and contraception; the Trump Administration is aiming to criminalize everyone who attempts to access reproductive and sexual health care, which disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities, queer and trans folks, young people, and immigrants. This is dangerous and is a manifestation of white supremacy.
We know that this is not the last transphobic action the Administration will take, and we’re ready to keep talking about it and showing up for each other. Only 24 hours after the Executive Order was signed, a new Executive Order targeting schools and educators who provide safe and affirming spaces for trans youth was signed. They are coming from all sides, but we know that our communities will not stand for these attacks.
Trans people deserve better, especially trans youth. Trans youth, with the support of their families and medical care teams should be trusted to make informed decisions about their bodies and identities. As we navigate these next four years, we must keep in mind that attacks on trans people are not isolated incidents but rather are early manifestations of increased conservatism and attacks on our collective freedom. None of us will be free until all of us are free.
SO, WHAT NOW? WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
- Take a deep breath!
- If you are a provider, please continue to provide and access essential, life affirming care.
- Everyone should support and continue to support Black, trans led organizers and organizations such as Black trans travel fund; Black trans fund grantees, the Okra Project, Brave Space Alliance
- Reference our Trump Admin resource guide and our LGBTQIA2S+ resource guide for guidance in supporting those who will bear the brunt of these Executive Orders and restrictions.
- Stay in touch with us about what you are experiencing so we can figure out support if we can!
- Keep celebrating! March 31st, 2025, is Trans Day of Visibility, an international holiday that celebrate trans people and raises awareness about global, intersectional oppression faced by trans people.
- REMEMBER: We have the facts, the history, and compassion of and for our people on our side. The hysteria will die down, as hate-fueled hysteria is not sustainable. We cannot lose hope.
Mani Vinson, MHSA
Communications Coordinator
Taryn Graves
Policy Assistant