New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, leading a coalition of 15 states and the District of Columbia. The suit challenges recent federal actions that seek to limit access to gender-affirming health care for transgender and nonbinary youth. According to the attorneys general, the administration is attempting to impose a nationwide ban on such care by threatening providers with criminal charges and investigations, even in states where these treatments are legal.
“The federal government is running a cruel and targeted harassment campaign against providers who offer lawful, lifesaving care to children,” said Attorney General James. “This administration is ruthlessly targeting young people who already face immense barriers just to be seen and heard, and are putting countless lives at risk in the process. In New York and nationwide, we will never stop fighting for the dignity, safety, and basic rights of the transgender community.”
The complaint points out that executive orders signed by the president have redefined everyone under 19 as “children” for medical purposes—despite some states recognizing 18-year-olds as adults—and directed federal agencies to prioritize enforcement against providers of gender-affirming care. The Department of Justice has since issued guidance threatening prosecution, launched investigations into hospitals, demanded private patient data, and issued subpoenas across multiple states.
Medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Medical Association recognize gender-affirming care as necessary treatment for gender dysphoria. Studies show denying such care increases rates of depression and suicide among transgender youth.
Attorney General James’s office reports that some New York health systems have canceled appointments for young patients following these executive orders. The coalition argues that these federal actions violate state laws requiring nondiscriminatory access to medical care based on gender identity or expression.
“Transgender and nonbinary youth deserve the freedom to access the health care they need without fear, shame, or government interference,” said Dr. Carla Smith, CEO of The NYC LGBT Community Center. “The Trump administration’s actions endanger the lives of young people who already face disproportionate rates of depression and suicide. We applaud Attorney General James and this coalition of attorneys general for standing up to these attacks and defending the right to gender-affirming care that is clearly recognized, supported, and protected by law. We also call on healthcare providers to demonstrate courage and integrity, and to follow our state’s laws.”
“This attack on gender-affirming care is not just a policy dispute—it is a deliberate act of violence against transgender and nonbinary youth and the providers who care for them,” said Tandra R. LaGrone, CEO of In Our Own Voices, Inc. “At In Our Own Voices, we serve LGBTQ+ communities of color who already face overwhelming barriers to healthcare, dignity, and survival. These federal threats are reckless, cruel, and unconstitutional. We stand with Attorney General James and this multistate coalition in saying clearly: we will not be intimidated, we will not back down, and we will fight to ensure that every young person has access to the lifesaving care they need and deserve.”
“The threat of attacking the health care of young people and adults has already caused harm here in New York state and beyond,” said The Sylvia Rivera Law Project. “This intimidation is causing confusion to medical providers and threatening criminalization, when providers have been following WPATH standards of care for decades since it was founded in 1978. We support the autonomy and decision-making of youth and their supportive families and communities in our healthcare access. We want to affirm parents and families who are supporting trans youth in accessing the necessary care that is needed to meet our survival and self-determination.”
“Access to gender-affirming care saves lives. ACT UP NY will continue to fight alongside trans youth, families with trans people, and for anyone seeking to protect their bodily autonomy and the bodily autonomy of others,” said Gwen Appenfeller and Mattie Beaton from AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) NY.“This federal administration’s attempt to ban access to care for children based on their gender identity is a continued direct attack… Trans people deserve to live…We stand in unwavering solidarity with New York State Attorney General Letitia James as she continues …to lead the legal fight …against systemic attacks on our rights…”
“To deny a transgender child the right to gender-affirming care is the truest form of crueland unusual punishment,” said Yaetza Maria Martinez,WAVE Women.“Imagine being denied necessary medical treatment that will help you not only survive but thrive! Medical transitions must only be guided bythe individual who is transitioningand their chosen medical providers.”
Joining New York in filing this lawsuit are California,Connecticut, Delaware,Hawaii, Illinois,Maine, Maryland,Massachusetts, Michigan,Nevada,New Jersey,New Mexico, Rhode Island,Wisconsinand the District of Columbia, along with Pennsylvania’s governor.
For further details about protections regarding gender-affirming health services in New York State visit the OfficeofAttorneyGeneral’swebsite.
