Equality California Responds to Dangerous and Discredited HHS Report on Transgender Healthcare

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Equality California released the following statement from Executive Director Tony Hoangin response to the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy's report on healthcare for transgender youth- a politically motivated report that attacks evidence-based medical standards and promotes dangerous, discredited practices:

"With this sham report, the Trump administration is escalating its war on transgender youth and their families. These families deserve the right to make sure their child can get medical care without politicians interfering and ignoring science.

For decades, every major medical organization - including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics- has endorsed transgender health care as safe, effective, and medically necessary. This report ignores that consensus, misrepresents science, and promotes outdated, harmful practices that have long been rejected by the medical community.

Conversion therapy is not healthcare-it is abuse. It isolates, shames, and endangers LGBTQ+ youth, increasing their risk of depression, self-harm, and suicide.

California was the first state in the nation to ban conversion therapy and remains a national leader in protecting transgender youth and their families. We have enacted groundbreaking legislation to safeguard access to transgender health care, provide critical resources, and shield families who seek that care from out-of-state attacks.

In the face of renewed assaults by the Trump administration, Equality California is continuing to work alongside the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus and our allies in Sacramento to strengthen these protections and ensure every young person has the support they need to live and thrive.

Let's be absolutely clear: Transgender people have always existed-and no administration, no law, no lie, and no crusade of hate will erase them."

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