Federal Court Upholds Trans Youth Health Care Rights Amid Hospital Investigations

President Donald Trump's executive order targeting gender-affirming care for minors has led to significant actions, including FBI investigations into major children's hospitals and the closure of several trans clinics for minors, such as Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The Supreme Court upheld states' rights to prohibit puberty blockers and other gender-affirming treatments for transgender minors, while a federal appeals court allowed minors in some states to seek such care without parental notification, highlighting ongoing legal and social disputes. In Scotland, debates continue over the definition of 'woman' in public services, following a Supreme Court ruling that biological sex, not gender identity, is legally recognized, sparking controversy over the inclusion of trans women in single-sex services. Research on transgender and non-binary individuals' experiences with primary care reveals significant barriers, including administrative challenges, misgendering, and inconsistent access to hormone replacement therapy, which negatively impact both physical and mental health. Calls have been made for a comprehensive LGBT+ healthcare strategy in the UK to address these inequalities and ensure clear entitlements to gender-affirming care, alongside protections for sex-specific healthcare needs. These developments collectively underscore the complex and contentious landscape of transgender healthcare access and legal rights across multiple countries.