Today, California Attorney General Rob Bonta—joined by attorneys general from over a dozen states—filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump Administration in defense of transgender youth and their access to medically necessary, evidence-based healthcare.

The legal action challenges recent federal directives issued under Executive Order 14187, which aggressively target providers of gender-affirming care. The directives threaten to withhold federal funding from hospitals and clinics that offer such care and have already led to federal subpoenas and disruptions in services at major institutions like Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Stanford Medicine.

At the heart of this lawsuit is a shared belief: that decisions about a child’s healthcare should be made by families and medical professionals, not politicians or prosecutors. The lawsuit argues that the federal government is unlawfully interfering with state authority, intimidating healthcare providers, and endangering the lives of young people by attempting to restrict access to gender-affirming care.

Kathie Moehlig, Executive Director of TransFamily Support Services, praised the move:

“As the leader of an organization that supports thousands of transgender youth and their families, I am relieved and proud to see California stepping up to fight back. Gender-affirming care saves lives. The Trump Administration’s efforts to label this care as ‘mutilation’ are not just scientifically false—they’re cruel. We will not allow our children to be political pawns. Families deserve the freedom to make healthcare decisions that are rooted in love, support, and medical best practice—not fear and government overreach.

“Thousands of young people have already lost access to the providers they trust—sometimes overnight. Clinics are being forced to close their doors, not because of a lack of medical necessity, but because of political intimidation. This is a crisis. And let me be clear: the loss of care doesn’t just mean delays—it means depression, self-harm, and even death. We will not stand by while our community is terrorized and targeted. This lawsuit is a necessary act of defense and defiance.”

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Boston, seeks to block enforcement of the executive order and related Department of Justice memos. These measures have already created a chilling effect in clinics nationwide, with some institutions pausing services under legal threat. The filing builds on a growing wave of legal and public backlash against anti-trans policies being pushed at the federal level.

California’s strong protections for trans youth, including SB 107—which shields families from out-of-state prosecutions—stand in stark contrast to the Trump Administration’s sweeping attacks on LGBTQ+ rights. But advocates warn that federal overreach still poses a threat.

TransFamily Support Services remains committed to supporting youth and families through advocacy, education, and direct services, and will continue to work alongside legal, medical, and community allies to ensure that gender-affirming care remains accessible and protected.