Wed Jan 29 02:28:49 UTC 2025: ## Trump Halts Federal Funding for Gender Transition Treatments for Minors

**Washington D.C.** – President Donald Trump issued an executive order Tuesday halting federal funding and support for gender transition treatments for minors under 19. The order cites concerns about long-term medical complications and claims that many young people later regret these procedures. It specifically targets puberty blockers, cross-sex hormone therapy, and surgeries.

The order states that the federal government will no longer “fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support” gender-affirming care for this age group, citing potential lifelong medical complications and sterilization as risks. The White House also accused the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) of promoting “junk science” and directed agencies to cease relying on its guidance. WPATH has yet to respond.

The decision has drawn swift condemnation from LGBTQ+ rights groups. GLAAD, a leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, denounced the order’s rhetoric as “appallingly inaccurate, incoherent, and extreme,” highlighting the support for gender-affirming care from major medical associations. GLAAD further criticized the administration’s focus on this issue, arguing it diverts attention from pressing matters such as gun violence and healthcare costs.

While the number of young people diagnosed with gender dysphoria has increased significantly in recent years, only a relatively small percentage have undergone medical interventions. Data from Reuters and Komodo Health indicates that in 2021, 282 minors underwent mastectomies, 4,230 received cross-sex hormones, and nearly 1,400 received puberty blockers.

The medical treatment of transgender youth remains a highly contentious issue. While major US medical organizations endorse gender-affirming care, several European countries have recently implemented restrictions on certain treatments, citing concerns about insufficient evidence of their long-term efficacy and safety, particularly regarding puberty blockers. A recent UK review highlighted the limited evidence supporting these treatments and recommended extreme caution in their application.

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