In a recent legal development, a federal judge temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s executive orders aiming to restrict gender-affirming care for individuals under 19 and deny the existence of transgender and non-binary people. This ruling, issued by Judge Brendan Hurson of the US District Court for the District of Maryland, prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from withholding federal funding based on the provision of gender-affirming medical care to patients under 19. The judge’s verdict is in effect for at least 14 days, with the possibility of extension.
The lawsuit, filed by transgender youth and their families, was backed by organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Lambda Legal, the ACLU of Maryland, and law firms Jenner & Block and Hogan Lovells. PFLAG National and GLMA also lent their support to the case. During a hearing on February 13, Judge Hurson underscored the impact of the executive orders on patient care, with reports of individuals being abruptly cut off from essential services.
Hurson’s ruling comes in the wake of a series of executive orders by the Trump administration targeting transgender and non-binary communities. These orders, including Executive Order 14168 and Executive Order 14187, specifically aimed to negate the existence of transgender and non-binary individuals and restrict access to gender-affirming care. The judge cited these orders as contributing to the decision to block enforcement.
The initial executive order led to the cancellation of gender-affirming care appointments in various healthcare facilities across the country, including NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, and New York Presbyterian in New York City. This prompted a swift response from New York Attorney General Letitia James, who reminded providers of their legal obligation to offer care without discrimination based on gender identity. New York State officials, including State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, rallied against the withdrawal of gender-affirming services, urging hospitals to reinstate care for all patients in need.
Following the judge’s ruling, Councilmembers Erik Bottcher and Tiffany Cabán, along with Health Committee Chair Lynn Schulman, reiterated the importance of gender-affirming care and called for its immediate restoration in all New York hospitals. They emphasized that transgender individuals should not be erased or denied access to vital healthcare services. Legal representatives of the plaintiffs celebrated the ruling, denouncing the discriminatory nature of the executive orders and stressing the importance of patient-centered healthcare decisions.
Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, senior counsel for Lambda Legal, highlighted the right of patients, families, and healthcare providers to make informed decisions about medical care, free from political interference. Brian K. Bond, CEO of PFLAG National, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to protect transgender children and young adults from arbitrary policy changes that could jeopardize their health and well-being.
In conclusion, the recent legal intervention serves as a critical step in upholding the rights of transgender individuals and ensuring their access to essential healthcare services. The ruling underscores the importance of patient autonomy and advocates for inclusive, evidence-based care for all members of the transgender and non-binary community.
