Over the past eight days since he re-ascended to the White House, President Donald Trump has followed through with his anti-trans campaign promises with breathtaking speed and cruelty—issuing executive orders to ban trans people from the military, force federal prisoners to potentially detransition, and even redefine “male” and “female."
On Tuesday, President Trump went a step further, issuing an order that threatens to pull federal funding from medical schools and hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to trans youth under the age of 19.
Over the past few days, I have had somber, heartbreaking conversations with other trans folks and their families. A parent of a trans child told me the order “will cause an almost indescribable amount of pain and suffering.” Adult friends are brainstorming what to do if their access to hormones is interrupted.
But we’re starting to see people fight back. Active-duty trans soldiers—and even one prisoner—have already sued to stop the orders. My sources in the community assure me: They are not going anywhere. As a trans journalist, I can guarantee I am not going anywhere.
Alaina Kupec, the president of trans advocacy organization GRACE, shared a message directly with trans youth: “You’re living your authentic self, and you’re living your life with integrity, which is more than these politicians can say.” You can watch part of her strident interview with me here.
Readers, are you or a loved one currently experiencing an interruption, or threat of interruption, to your gender-affirming healthcare due to the Trump administration’s recent orders? Tell us what you’re dealing with right now, here.
—Henry Carnell
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