"Across the country, the laws around gender-affirming care are changing so fast, and it’s hard to keep up." -Sofia gonzalez 6th grade
Across the country, the laws around gender-affirming care are changing so fast, and it’s hard to keep up. Right now, the Trump administration and a lot of different states in the US are passing laws that ban gender-affirming care for kids and President Trump has made it an official presidential action. These laws include banning gender-affirming care for minors, rewriting non-discrimination rules, prohibiting coverage for federal employees and military families, and restricting funding for research and support services.
“Accordingly, my Administration will defend women’s rights and protect freedom of conscience by using clear and accurate language and policies that recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male.” Trump’s action describes.
The laws are passing left and right but it's mostly in states that voted for Trump like Texas, Utah, and Arizona, but surprisingly, some states that voted for Kamala Harris are starting to propose this legislation too, like Indiana. It makes everyone wonder; which state is going to be next?
“Truthfully, I wouldn’t be surprised if Nevada, New Mexico, and Washington passed this law,” said Lit Arts 7th grader Sayuri Espinoza. “It’s scary for a lot of people because those are places where people usually feel safe. If states like that start changing their minds, it feels like there won’t be many places left for transgender kids to go.”
And there’s a lot of drama in the courts right now. On June 18, 2025, a big case called United States v. Skrmetti was brought before the Supreme Court. They decided that Tennessee’s ban on this care was actually okay, saying it wasn't breaking the rules of the Constitution because it was just about age and how medicine is used. But in other places like Texas and Missouri, judges are totally opposed to these laws. One judge in Texas said the ban would have "devastating consequences" for teenagers who just want to listen to their doctors and get the medicine that they need to become the person they feel like they are. It’s like one part of the country says "yes" while the other says "no," and it leaves everyone feeling stuck.
Even in California, which is supposed to be a "safe" state, people are really worried. The Attorney General is actually suing a hospital in San Diego because they tried to stop giving care to young patients. Over 600 people went outside to protest at Rady Children’s Hospital.“I think it’s good that California is trying to do something about this,” said 7th grade Literary Arts student, Alice Stewart, “although I do agree that it’s perplexing [that] they didn’t file a civil rights lawsuit. This does seem like a positive sign against us also banning gender-affirming care.” Some parents are confused because the state is suing the hospital over business rules instead of just saying it’s a civil rights problem because it is.
It shows that even in "blue states,” things aren't as simple as they seem. If you look at maps from groups like the Human Rights Campaign, you can see how many attacks are happening on these laws every day. It feels like a giant puzzle where the pieces don't fit and the rules keep changing. Another question that is being raised a lot is, why are states passing these laws without a second thought?
Wesleigh Stone, a 7th grade Literary Arts student said, “I think they are doing it because they are afraid of what Trump might do to them if they don't.”
Right now families are just trying to figure out where they can live safely without the laws changing overnight. For a lot of kids, it’s not just about a law, it's about their whole lives.
“Accordingly, my Administration will defend women’s rights and protect freedom of conscience by using clear and accurate language and policies that recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male.” Trump’s action describes.
The laws are passing left and right but it's mostly in states that voted for Trump like Texas, Utah, and Arizona, but surprisingly, some states that voted for Kamala Harris are starting to propose this legislation too, like Indiana. It makes everyone wonder; which state is going to be next?
“Truthfully, I wouldn’t be surprised if Nevada, New Mexico, and Washington passed this law,” said Lit Arts 7th grader Sayuri Espinoza. “It’s scary for a lot of people because those are places where people usually feel safe. If states like that start changing their minds, it feels like there won’t be many places left for transgender kids to go.”
And there’s a lot of drama in the courts right now. On June 18, 2025, a big case called United States v. Skrmetti was brought before the Supreme Court. They decided that Tennessee’s ban on this care was actually okay, saying it wasn't breaking the rules of the Constitution because it was just about age and how medicine is used. But in other places like Texas and Missouri, judges are totally opposed to these laws. One judge in Texas said the ban would have "devastating consequences" for teenagers who just want to listen to their doctors and get the medicine that they need to become the person they feel like they are. It’s like one part of the country says "yes" while the other says "no," and it leaves everyone feeling stuck.
Even in California, which is supposed to be a "safe" state, people are really worried. The Attorney General is actually suing a hospital in San Diego because they tried to stop giving care to young patients. Over 600 people went outside to protest at Rady Children’s Hospital.“I think it’s good that California is trying to do something about this,” said 7th grade Literary Arts student, Alice Stewart, “although I do agree that it’s perplexing [that] they didn’t file a civil rights lawsuit. This does seem like a positive sign against us also banning gender-affirming care.” Some parents are confused because the state is suing the hospital over business rules instead of just saying it’s a civil rights problem because it is.
It shows that even in "blue states,” things aren't as simple as they seem. If you look at maps from groups like the Human Rights Campaign, you can see how many attacks are happening on these laws every day. It feels like a giant puzzle where the pieces don't fit and the rules keep changing. Another question that is being raised a lot is, why are states passing these laws without a second thought?
Wesleigh Stone, a 7th grade Literary Arts student said, “I think they are doing it because they are afraid of what Trump might do to them if they don't.”
Right now families are just trying to figure out where they can live safely without the laws changing overnight. For a lot of kids, it’s not just about a law, it's about their whole lives.
