U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that seeks to limit access to gender-affirming care for individuals under the age of 19.
Gatekeepers News reports that the executive order stipulates that federal support for such care will be terminated. Trump specifically called on the Secretary of Health and Human Services to take necessary actions to end what he described as the “chemical and surgical mutilation of children.”
The order identifies various treatments targeted by these restrictions, including puberty blockers, hormones like estrogen and testosterone, and surgical procedures related to gender transition. This move may face significant legal challenges as it is implemented.
Furthermore, the order instructs federally-funded insurance programs to exclude coverage for gender transition treatments for minors and aims to prevent medical institutions that receive federal grants from providing these services.
As of now, over 26 states across the U.S. have already established their own limitations on gender care for children and youth. Several prominent American medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, contend that access to gender-affirming care is essential for the well-being of youth.
However, the science surrounding medical interventions in gender care, particularly for minors, remains a topic of debate. In Europe, several countries have initiated reviews of these practices. A recent review conducted in England and Wales concerning gender identity services for individuals under 18 highlighted significant shortcomings, including a lack of research and “remarkably weak” evidence supporting the medical interventions in this area.
Transgender rights advocates have swiftly condemned the White House’s actions, asserting that such measures undermine the rights and health of transgender youth.
“Today’s order lays out a clear plan to shut down access to life-saving medical care for transgender youth nationwide, overriding the role of families and putting politics between patients and their doctors,” said Chase Strangio of the American Civil Liberties Union’s LGBT and HIV Project.
But conservative groups applauded the order. The Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian legal advocacy group, called it “a refreshing return to sanity”.
Less than 1% of the population over the age of 13 in the US are transgender, according to a study by the UCLA Williams Institute, and the number seeking medical care is smaller.
Earlier this week, Trump signed an order urging defence officials to re-examine the military’s policy on transgender troops. That has already been challenged in court.
These executive orders fulfil a campaign pledge from Trump to his supporters to roll back policies around transgender people put in place by the Biden administration.
