1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the new Federal Bureau of Prisons policy that would effectively end all transgender-related medical care in federal prisons. This policy, presented in court on January 20, 2025, represents a dangerous departure from established medical standards and violates the constitutional rights of incarcerated people. The policy bars all gender-affirming surgeries, requires tapering plans to end hormone therapy even for those who have received it for years, and eliminates social accommodations like gender-appropriate clothing. It mandates regular reevaluation toward complete cessation of hormones, even for individuals who have already had gender-affirming surgery. Leslie Cooper, deputy director of the ACLU LGBT & HIV Project, called this "a really dangerous policy" that would cause "serious harms." This is not simply about policy preferences. It is about medical necessity and human dignity. Gender dysphoria is a recognized medical condition, and the abrupt withdrawal of hormone therapy can cause severe physical and psychological harm. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, a Reagan appointee, has already blocked many of these anti-transgender policies with a classwide preliminary injunction that has been in effect for more than 200 days, recognizing the constitutional concerns at stake. Even more troubling, transgender inmates have reported retaliation after participating in legal challenges to these policies. When the Department of Justice claimed there was no evidence of retaliation, Judge Lamberth pointed to sworn affidavits and stated that such retaliation would constitute contempt of court. He issued a protective order barring further retaliation and requiring written notice to all affected facilities. Incarcerated people do not forfeit their constitutional rights or their humanity. I urge you to publicly oppose this policy and support legislation that protects access to medically necessary care for all people in federal custody, regardless of their gender identity.