Summary
A thinktank aligned with President Donald Trump is leading efforts to restrict gender-affirming medical care, especially for children. They aim to eventually stop this care for all Americans, including adults, and have influenced many policies and laws targeting transgender people.
Key Facts
- Children are targeted as the easiest group ("low-hanging fruit") in efforts to stop gender-affirming care.
- The American First Policy Institute (AFPI), linked to President Trump, promotes these restrictions.
- AFPI staff includes many people working in President Trump’s second-term administration.
- Restrictions mainly affect minors under 19, including bans on puberty blockers and hormones, and access to sports and facilities matching their gender identity.
- President Trump signed executive orders limiting transgender rights in areas like the military and schools.
- The administration defends bans on child gender transition procedures but has not announced moves to ban adult transitions.
- Conservative groups have helped pass transgender-related laws in about half of U.S. states.
- A former Trump aide said the president supported aggressive action on this issue early in his second term.
