The Trump administration released an executive order on January 28th, 2025 with the intent to ban federal funding of transgender youth care nationally. Here are our thoughts:
This order attempts to get around basic truths of law, medicine, and science:
- Executive orders are not law and do not have the force of law.
- Gender affirming care is the accepted standard of care. The weight of scientific evidence supports it. The scientific review this EO calls for will be a farce.
- Health care is a human right. Trans and gender diverse youth and adults have the right to affirming healthcare.
- This will be used to try to challenge adult care in the future.
This executive order will be challenged. That’s small comfort, we know, but even if it isn’t blocked, there is a 60-day window before it will be implemented. We know that some providers may stop offering care before this 60-day period ends.
We are not stopping care.
We do not receive any federal funding. We don’t receive any public funding. This executive order does not change our financial realities or our ability to provide care. However, many trans and gender diverse youth get care at places that do receive federal funds, and their care may be unjustly halted.
We can expect that scrutiny will increase. We will be obtaining our information from the ACLU and other organizations focused on protecting access to healthcare.
Shield laws have been designed to protect patients, families, and prescribers. Stay up to date with shield law states via the Movement Advancement Project.
For anyone seeking or receiving care, we recommend that you review your data security and your data practices. Some of the most important tools you can use include:
- Be in community, but know your community well.
- Don’t talk about where or how you get care outside of community. Don’t mention it on social media, email, text, or other apps.
- Use encrypted apps for text messaging and phone calls.
- Use a VPN for internet.
- Review your internet presence for data that can identify you.
For more information, see our articles:
- Data Privacy in 2025: Operational Security
- Protecting Your Health Information Records: Recommendations for QueerDoc Patients and Beyond
- Five Ways to Protect Your Privacy Online
- Getting And Correcting Your Medical Records
- Protecting Your Identity: The Critical Importance of Legal Transition Amid Current Political Challenges – Fall 2024
- February 2024: What’s a Shield State, and How Do I Get One?
- Washington State is Safe(r) With Shield Laws
Additional write-ups on the executive order:
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