According to a recent analysis, twenty-six states in the United States have implemented bans on gender-affirming health care for transgender children and teenagers. This data reveals that approximately 40% of transgender youth aged 13 to 17 reside in these states, as reported by the analysis.
The issue of gender-affirming care for minors is gaining national attention as the US Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments on December 4 regarding Tennessee's ban on such care. Gender-affirming care involves evidence-based medical interventions aimed at assisting individuals in transitioning from their assigned gender to their affirmed gender.
The outcome of the upcoming Supreme Court case could have significant implications for transgender youth residing in states with similar bans. In 2021, the first ban on gender-affirming care for minors was enacted, leading to a wave of similar legislation across multiple states.
During 2023, gender-affirming care emerged as a contentious topic among lawmakers, resulting in 19 states passing laws prohibiting such care for minors, while 11 states and the District of Columbia enacted laws safeguarding access to gender-affirming care.
Recent developments indicate that Ohio, Wyoming, South Carolina, and New Hampshire have joined the list of states implementing bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Conversely, Maine and Rhode Island have passed laws to protect access to such care.
It is important to note that not all states enforcing bans on gender-affirming care are currently implementing these laws. Legal challenges have temporarily halted bans in Arkansas and Montana, while New Hampshire's ban on surgical care for minors is set to take effect on January 1, 2025. Despite the existence of a 2022 law in Arizona banning surgical care for transgender minors, Governor Katie Hobbs signed an executive order in 2023 to ensure continued access to gender-affirming health care.
