A federal judge in Baltimore has issued a temporary restraining order blocking President Donald Trump’s recent executive order that aimed to restrict gender-affirming health care for transgender individuals under the age of 19. The ruling came after a lawsuit was filed on behalf of families with transgender or nonbinary children who claimed their health care was already being compromised by the president’s directive.
The lawsuit, which includes a national group for LGBTQ+ families and a doctors organization as plaintiffs, challenges Trump’s executive order as “unlawful and unconstitutional.” The plaintiffs argue that the order seeks to withhold federal funds authorized by Congress and violates anti-discrimination laws while infringing on the rights of parents.
Judge Brendan Hurson, nominated by President Joe Biden, granted the temporary restraining order following a hearing in federal court. The order will be in effect for 14 days and may be extended as the case proceeds. Hurson criticized Trump’s directive, stating that it seems to deny the existence of transgender individuals or their right to exist.
Trump’s executive order directed federally run insurance programs to exclude coverage for gender-affirming care, including Medicaid and TRICARE for military families. The order also called on the Department of Justice to aggressively pursue litigation and legislation to oppose gender-affirming practices.
Several accounts from families in the lawsuit highlighted appointments being canceled as medical institutions react to the new directive. Some hospitals have already paused gender-affirming care, such as prescriptions for puberty blockers and hormone therapy, while they assess the impact of the order.
The lawsuit also emphasizes the discriminatory nature of Trump’s policy, as federal funds are allowed to cover similar treatments when not used for gender transition. Major medical groups, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, support access to gender-affirming care for transgender individuals.
Trump’s stance on gender-affirming care is a stark departure from the Biden administration’s efforts to extend civil rights protections to transgender people. While Trump has made false claims about medical professionals “maiming and sterilizing” children, medical experts support gender-affirming care for individuals who persistently identify with a gender different from their assigned sex at birth.
In conclusion, the temporary restraining order issued by the federal judge puts Trump’s executive order on hold, allowing the legal challenge to proceed. The case highlights the ongoing battle for transgender rights and access to gender-affirming health care in the United States.
