Federal Judge Blocks Trump Order, Mandating Hormone Therapy and Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Inmates. A landmark ruling requires federal prisons to provide hormone therapy and gender-affirming social accommodations to hundreds of transgender inmates, overturning a Trump-era ban on funding such care. The judge cited the significant mental health benefits of this treatment, countering arguments that it is unnecessary or inappropriate
Trump's Executive Order Blocking Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Inmates Blocked: A Federal Judge ruled against President Trump's executive order prohibiting federal funding for hormone therapy and gender-affirming care for transgender inmates in federal prisons. The order restricted the use of funds for any treatment aimed at aligning an inmate's appearance with their gender identity
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Order, Mandating Hormone Therapy and Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Inmates. A ruling forces the Bureau of Prisons to provide hormone therapy, gender-affirming clothing, and cosmetics to over 600 transgender inmates, rejecting the Trump administration's argument against such care. The judge found the executive order and Bureau of Prisons lacked justification for denying necessary treatment to alleviate gender dysphoria and its associated mental health risks, including depression and suicidal ideation
Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Ban on Transgender Inmate Hormone Therapy: A federal judge ruled that transgender inmates in federal prisons must receive hormone therapy and gender-affirming care, blocking a Trump-era executive order. The judge found that denying this treatment, which helps alleviate the severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts associated with gender dysphoria, is unjustified. The ruling impacts hundreds of transgender inmates and affirms the necessity of gender-affirming care for their wellbeing
Shortly after his inauguration, Trump ordered the Bureau of Prisons to revise its medical care policies to be consistent with other federal policies recognizing only two sexes, male and female, by ensuring federal funds aren’t used for any medical procedure, treatment or drug “for the purpose of conforming an inmate’s appearance to that of the opposite sex.”
Trump’s order also asked the Bureau of Prisons to make sure “males are not detained in women’s prisons,” with dozens of transgender women later moved to men’s facilities, though Lamberth and other judges have challenged or blocked the transfer of some inmates.
The Bureau of Prisons did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
2,198. That’s how many transgender inmates are within the federal prison system as of Feb. 20, 2025, according to Bureau of Prisons data obtained by NPR.
Trump targeted gender-affirming care and the transgender community early in his second presidency. His executive order, which he argued would defend women from “gender ideology extremism,” declared the federal government would recognize male and female as the only two sexes. Trump issued another executive order in late January that limited access to gender transition surgeries for people younger than 19, after he said the U.S. would “rigorously enforce” laws that “prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures.” Trump’s push against gender-affirming care follows a yearslong effort by dozens of states to bar or limit access.
The U.S. military has asked transgender service members to voluntarily leave active-duty service by June 6, according to guidance issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. About 1,000 service members have disclosed being diagnosed with gender dysphoria and have agreed to leave, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement, though just over 4,000 transgender people serve in the military. Hegeth’s guidance follows an earlier ruling by the Supreme Court, which said Trump could implement a ban on transgender people serving in the military.
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