1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

The denial of gender-affirming care for transgender youth is a deeply concerning issue that puts young lives at risk. The evidence is clear that access to this individualized, age-appropriate medical care significantly reduces rates of suicide attempts among transgender youth. Yet, alarmingly, 24 states have enacted bans that restrict over a third of transgender youth from receiving this potentially life-saving treatment. These restrictions fly in the face of the recommendations from major medical associations like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. They subject transgender youth and their families to immense hardship, from having to travel across state lines to access care, to navigating complex insurance and legal barriers. For many low-income families, these burdens make accessing gender-affirming care nearly impossible. No loving parent should be forced to watch their child's mental health deteriorate due to politically-motivated policies that deny their child's right to health. No family should have to become exiles in their own hometowns just to secure care that affirms their child's identity and well-being. It is crucial that lawmakers at all levels prioritize the health and safety of transgender youth over ideological agendas. Policies must be implemented to safeguard access to gender-affirming care, an evidence-based practice administered by medical professionals through a rigorous, considerate process. The right to appropriate medical treatment should never be infringed upon, especially for our most vulnerable youth. Protecting gender-affirming care means protecting lives and human rights.