Resources for care in ban states.
The state of care is changing very rapidly right now.
If you are in a state that has banned or is very likely to ban gender affirming care, we stand with you. This article is meant to share some resources for accessing care and legal updates.
Getting Care at QueerDoc (Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming)
Tips for Getting Care in Other States
If you are in a care ban state:
- If the ban is not yet in effect, talk to your provider about your options.
- Are you American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN)? Care at Indian Health Services and Tribal Health Services clinics will not be affected by state-level bans. You can learn more here.
- Consider going out of state to obtain care.
- Physical providers in nearby states may be overwhelmed. Consider telemedicine.
- Telemedicine requires you to be physically in a state where your provider has a license at the time of the appointment.
Resources for traveling for care, or moving to another state:
- Elevated Access: provides free air transportation for healthcare appointments. You will need a referring provider to schedule trips.
- Cash microgrants may be available frrom
- Trans Lifeline’s Microgrants Program
- Trans Youth Emergency Fund at the Campaign for Southern Equality
- Funds designated for moving out of state:
- Trans Youth Equality (contact@transyouthequality.com)
- If you know of others, please let us know!
Safer States
These states have executive orders, signed laws, or laws that have passed the legislature and await governor signatures that protect gender affirming care (and reproductive health care in some states.) If you need to go to another state for care or to live, these are the safest states to go to. Newsflash: The Vermont legislature has passed a shield law. Shield states include: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, Washington, and Vermont – and Washington, D.C.! (As of early June – also Maryland!)
DIY?
Trans people have been managing their own health care for eons. QueerDoc cannot officially endorse any DIY resources due to liability purposes. We believe everyone should be able to talk to a clinician and access safe care, but if you aren’t able to, these resources may help you make more informed decisions about your own body. Resources for adults are out there on Reddit, Transfem Science, DIY Wiki. We have heard that more are being built including for youth. And that some people we know are working on creating a cool hotline where you can call and get free advice. Perhaps a search on your favorite browser in incognito mode?
Staying Up To Date
We love:
- Erin Reed’s Substack and social media
- Whitman-Walker’s newsletter (scroll down to “Let’s Keep In Touch”)
- Transformations Project
Lawsuits and Injunctions
Several organizations are fighting back legally. This route takes time, and the available orgs may not have the resources to file lawsuits in every state with a care ban. Injunctions put a pause on a new law while it works its way through the courts, and may allow you to receive care. Legal organizations, however, cannot sue until a law is in effect and they have plaintiffs who are willing to join the suit.
Organizations doing the work right now include:
- ACLU – tip: look for your state chapter
- Lamda Legal
- Campaign For Southern Equality
- NCLR
- GLAD
- HRC
- Southern Legal Counsel
Current lawsuits in states we serve:
- Florida: Campaign for Southern Equality and Lambda Legal have filed a suit against the youth care ban by the Medical Board and Osteopathic Board. They have asked for an injunction. Southern Legal Counsel, GLAD, NCLR, and HRC are challenging SB 254 and are asking a federal court to block the bill as soon as it is signed into law.
- Utah: NCLR and the ACLU are working on a lawsuit against the youth care ban.
- Idaho: the ACLU had indicated that they will sue. Youth are able to start care until January 1st, 2024
- Montana: we do not yet know of a lawsuit. Youth are able to start care until October 1st, 2023.
Elsewhere: the Department of Justice filed a suit in Tennessee. This is HUGE! This suit centers on our Constitutional right to equal protection.
In states where lawsuits have not yet been filed, they may be looking for people and families affected by bans. If you think you might want to be a plaintiff, contact them! Your legal aid will be free, and your identity can be protected.
