A coalition of families has taken the Trump administration to court, seeking to block an executive order that cuts federal support for transgender healthcare for minors. The lawsuit, filed in Maryland federal court by Lambda Legal and the ACLU, argues that the directive unfairly targets transgender individuals and exceeds presidential authority.
The order, issued on Jan. 28, directs federal agencies to halt funding and assistance for medical treatments that facilitate gender transition for individuals under 19. In response, hospitals nationwide have begun canceling appointments for gender-affirming care, leaving families scrambling.
One of the plaintiffs, Kristen Chapman, moved to Virginia to ensure her transgender daughter, Willow, could receive treatment after Tennessee implemented a statewide ban. But just hours before Willow’s scheduled appointment, the hospital called to cancel, citing the new federal directive.
“This is unfair to Willow, and it’s unfair to thousands of families like ours,” Chapman said.
The lawsuit comes amid a broader legal battle over transgender rights, following previous Trump administration policies restricting gender identity recognition and barring transgender individuals from military service. While the full scope of the order’s enforcement remains unclear, the mere threat of losing federal funding has already led to the suspension of critical medical care.
Meanwhile, legal and political pushback is mounting. New York Attorney General Letitia James has warned healthcare providers that denying treatment based on gender identity constitutes discrimination under state law.
Medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, have consistently affirmed that gender-affirming care improves mental health outcomes and reduces suicide risk among transgender youth. However, some international health bodies have called for further research on the subject.
With legal challenges unfolding, the fate of transgender healthcare access in the U.S. remains uncertain, as families and advocacy groups brace for the next phase of the fight.