Listen to medical experts on transgender youth care

Restricting access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth while allowing the same care for non-transgender children is discriminatory. Multiple major medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association, support providing this care based on extensive research showing its benefits for transgender youth. Denying transgender youth access to medically necessary treatment recognized as appropriate by experts increases their risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, including risks of suicide. This order undermines the established medical consensus and puts a vulnerable group at heightened risk compared to their peers. I urge you to reconsider this policy that could irreparably harm transgender children while treating others differently and instead listen to the experts who know what's best for all children's health and safety.