New York Attorney General Letitia James, leading a group of 17 state attorneys general, is taking legal action to support transgender youth facing new federal restrictions on gender-affirming health care. The coalition filed an amicus brief asking for a preliminary injunction to block two Executive Orders issued by the Trump administration, which restrict medical care for individuals under 19. The states argue that the orders undermine anti-discrimination protections and cause confusion among health care providers and patients.
According to the Office of the New York State Attorney General website, Attorney General James said, "Every young person deserves access to medically necessary care without government interference. These Executive Orders are cruel, discriminatory, dangerous, and not based on science or law." One order denies the distinction between gender identity and biological sex, and the other bans gender-affirming medical care for youth, accompanied by threats of federal funding cuts.
The states involved argue that the Trump administration’s policies have disrupted essential medical care, causing appointments to be canceled and increasing mental health crises among transgender youth. The New York Attorney General argues that these orders not only ignore state laws that ensure access to health care but also promote discrimination. Major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, agree that gender-affirming care is essential and that restricting it increases risks of depression and suicide.
Reports from The Trevor Project show a 700 percent increase in demand for crisis services following the 2024 election, with a 46 percent rise post-inauguration, highlighting the immediate impact on LGBTQ+ youth. Institutions like the NYU Langone Hospital System had to cancel gender-affirming care appointments for minors, leaving families in uncertain medical situations.
The coalition, representing states from Colorado to Rhode Island, argues against the Trump administration's actions, defending transgender rights at the state level. The amicus brief urges the United States District Court for the District of Maryland to consider the negative effects of the Executive Orders and protect transgender youth from discrimination.
