Glossary

Gender-affirming care

Medical and psychological care, from counseling to puberty blockers, hormones and surgery, meant to align a person's body or presentation with gender identity.

Also called: gender transition care, puberty blockers, gender-dysphoria treatment

Gender-affirming care is the term used by many medical organizations for a range of treatments for people who experience gender dysphoria, distress from a mismatch between sex assigned at birth and gender identity. For minors, it may include social support, puberty-blocking drugs that delay puberty and, for older adolescents, hormones; surgery is less common for minors. Adults may receive hormones and surgeries.

Major U.S. medical groups, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Endocrine Society, support access to such care as medically necessary, while reviews in several European countries, including the United Kingdom's Cass Review (2024), found the evidence for puberty blockers and hormones in minors limited and urged caution.

More than half of U.S. states have passed laws restricting or banning such care for minors. In United States v. Skrmetti (2025), the Supreme Court upheld Tennessee's ban, holding that it was subject to rational basis review and did not discriminate on the basis of sex. Supporters of restrictions cite concerns about irreversible effects and the quality of evidence and the role of parental rights; opponents argue that the bans interfere with families and doctors, harm transgender youth and violate equal protection. The topic also involves Title IX debates.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

In the index now

Related terms

Title IX The 1972 federal law banning sex discrimination in education programs that receive federal funds, now central to disputes over athletics and gender identity. Parental rights The principle that parents hold primary authority over the upbringing, education and health decisions of their children, a recurring issue in schools. Conscience clause A law protecting individuals and institutions from being forced to take part in activities they find morally or religiously objectionable, often in health care. Strict scrutiny The most demanding test courts use, requiring a law to serve a compelling government interest by the least restrictive means. Equal Protection Clause The Fourteenth Amendment guarantee that no state may deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.