More than a dozen states sue to protect gender-affirming care from federal investigations

August 1, 2025

A coalition of state attorneys general, led by New York's Letitia James, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for allegedly conducting an unconstitutional campaign against gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The lawsuit challenges Justice Department investigations and threats that have caused numerous hospitals across the country to shut down their gender-affirming care programs, even in states with protective laws. The legal action argues that federal agencies are using intimidation tactics without basis in federal law, placing healthcare providers in the difficult position of choosing between federal threats and state non-discrimination laws.

Who is affected

Transgender youth seeking gender-affirming care
Hospitals and medical providers offering gender-affirming care programs
Healthcare systems in California, Connecticut, Colorado, Illinois, Washington D.C., and other states
Parents and families of transgender youth
States with laws protecting gender-affirming care

What action is being taken

State attorneys general are filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts
The Justice Department is conducting at least 20 subpoenas into clinics involved in gender transition care
The FBI is criminally investigating three children's hospitals that provide or have provided gender-affirming care
Federal agencies are issuing threats of criminal and civil penalties against providers of gender-affirming care
The Federal Trade Commission is hosting events criticizing gender-affirming care for minors

Why it matters

Hospitals are shutting down gender-affirming care programs even in states where such care is legally protected
The federal actions create a conflict between federal threats and state laws requiring non-discriminatory access to medical care
Major medical organizations including the American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics endorse gender-affirming care
The federal crackdown extends restrictions on transgender healthcare to blue states and liberal cities where it was previously protected
There are concerns that banning gender-affirming care could drive it underground and endanger patients

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th