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A group of officials from Democratic-led states have filed a lawsuit to prevent the Trump administration from restricting access to sex change procedures and treatments for individuals under 19 years old.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, argues that the administration is attempting to enforce a nationwide ban on sex change procedures by intimidating providers with unfounded criminal charges and investigations.
“The federal government is engaging in a cruel and targeted campaign of harassment against providers who offer legal, life-saving care to children,” stated New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is spearheading the coalition of states in the lawsuit.
Demonstrators rally in support of rights for transgender youth. More than a dozen states are suing the Trump administration over policies to limit access to sex change procedures and treatments for minors.(Fox News)
“This administration is specifically targeting young people who already face significant obstacles just to be acknowledged and heard, and in the process, putting many lives at risk,” she added. “In New York and across the country, we will continue to fight for the dignity, safety, and fundamental rights of the transgender community.”
The lawsuit names President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and the Justice Department as defendants. It challenges Trump’s executive order from January 28 that prohibits government support for sex change operations and treatments, as well as two memos issued by Bondi and Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate.
Bondi’s memo instructs the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute those providing sex change treatments to minors. Shumate’s memo directs prosecutors to prioritize investigations against doctors, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies that perform such procedures.
The Justice Department has initiated investigations into three children’s hospitals for allegedly offering such treatments.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles(Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
“On Day One, President Trump took decisive action to halt the harmful practices of mutilating and chemically castrating children – actions that are strongly supported by everyday Americans,” stated White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers to Fox News Digital. “The President has the legal authority to protect America’s vulnerable children through executive action, and the Administration is looking forward to prevailing on this issue.”
In July, Kaiser Permanente announced a pause on sex change surgeries for patients under 19 in response to the Trump administration’s efforts. In the same month, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles closed its Center for Transyouth Health and Development, one of the largest clinics for transgender youth in the nation.
The Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., also stated that it will no longer provide gender transition-related medical interventions.
“These changes have been promoted by Defendants as exactly what was intended by their unlawful and deceptive targeting: the end of healthcare for transgender individuals under 19,” the complaint states.
Several states have laws that restrict or prohibit sex change surgeries for children. The states involved in the lawsuit – California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin – allow such treatments.
Internationally, there has been pushback against sex change procedures for children. In March, the United Kingdom banned puberty blockers for children seeking treatment for gender dysphoria.
