1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

Healthcare bans on gender-affirming care for transgender youth go against the consensus of major medical organizations that such care is safe, effective, and lifesaving. Denying access to this essential care will tragically lead to harm and suffering. These bans criminalize healthcare providers and threaten parents with abuse charges simply for following medical advice and doing what's best for their child. Intersex youth are typically exempted from these bans, creating an unjustified double standard. For an overview of the alarming proliferation of healthcare bans across the United States, the Movement Advancement Project has created a helpful interactive map visualizing the current landscape. I urge you to consult credible medical sources and reconsider supporting policies that endanger the wellbeing of transgender young people against widespread expert guidance. Ensuring access to gender-affirming care saves lives and must be prioritized over political motivations that disregard science.