US President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to implement a federal ban on gender-affirming surgeries and treatments for minors.
The proposal, announced during his campaign, is part of his broader agenda to “protect children” and combat what he terms “radical gender ideology” in schools and healthcare settings.
Trump stated that these medical procedures should be prohibited across all 50 states, emphasizing that minors should not have access to gender-affirming treatments.
The proposal mirrors recent actions taken by Republican-led states, which have imposed similar restrictions on gender-affirming healthcare for minors. However, these measures have faced significant opposition from medical experts and LGBTQ advocacy groups, who argue that such laws are harmful and discriminatory.
In his remarks, Trump reiterated his belief that “God created only two genders, male and female.”
The pledge reflects growing calls from conservative leaders for federal legislation to standardize policies related to gender and sexuality. However, the proposal has sparked strong opposition from advocates and medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. These groups argue that gender-affirming care is vital for the mental health and well-being of transgender youth, with medical decisions for minors ideally being made collaboratively by families and qualified healthcare professionals.