Trump signs executive order against gender transition for minors. Court suspends measure

Federal funding blocked, but a court suspends the measure

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning the use of federal funds to support gender transition for children under the age of 19. The measure, titled Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation, includes a block on funding for hormone therapies, puberty blockers and surgeries, as well as limiting grants for research and training of medical schools in transgender care.

The text states that gender affirmation treatments for minors are ‘destructive procedures’ that can cause permanent damage and sterilisation. Federal agencies are also ordered to revoke the guidelines of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (Wpath), which is accused of promoting interventions based on ‘junk science’.

The executive order has drawn strong criticism from leading US medical associations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which support access to treatment for minors and oppose government restrictions in this area. Lambda Legal, an LGBTQ legal defence group, also announced a battle against the measure.

Meanwhile, a federal court in Washington temporarily stayed the executive order until 3 February, upholding an appeal filed by NGOs and some state Democrats. The decision was made to assess the impact of the measure on health care programmes already underway.

Trump also announced a funding freeze for some federal programmes, although spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt clarified that the freeze will not affect Social Security, Medicare, food stamps and other forms of direct assistance to citizens. However, the uncertainty over resources for colleges and universities has generated concerns in the academic world.

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