Executive Orders Against Trans People and the Rise of Resistance
At the heart of every human rights movement lies resistance to injustice.
Trump signed an executive order that stipulated that the United States will no longer fund institutions that offer gender-affirming treatment for children, including hormone replacement therapy, puberty-blocking medication, or surgery. These policies are more than political moves—they’re direct attacks on the health, safety, and autonomy of trans individuals and their caregiver’s right to provide life-saving care to their children. But as these unjust orders emerge, so does fierce opposition, with activists, medical professionals, and everyday citizens rising to resist these unjust attacks on their community members.
Let's explore the historical context of LGBTQ+ rights, the far-reaching impact of these policies, and the growing resistance movement. We'll dive into how digital and grassroots activism is shaping the fight and what role you can play in creating a more inclusive future.
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A Historical Context of the Trans Rights
The fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States has been a hard-won, uphill battle. From the Stonewall Riots in 1969 to the federal rulings that enshrined access to gender-affirming healthcare into law, key milestones have marked the progress toward the right to live with dignity for transgender folks. These victories, however, have often been used as political pawns in the culture wars.
Today, the trans community finds itself at the epicenter of this backlash. Executive orders, such as those issued under the Trump administration, aim to roll back rights for trans individuals under the guise of protecting traditional values or safeguarding minors. These policies evoke a darker history of legislated discrimination, calling for urgent action to fend off the erosion of hard-earned rights.
The Impact of Executive Orders on the Trans Community
Executive orders targeting trans individuals—like the federal ban on funding gender-affirming care for minors—carry devastating consequences, both legally and socially. While the executive order itself is not enforceable as law, the chilling effects of preemptive compliance are undeniable.
Access to care restricted
Numerous hospitals, including major centers like Denver Health and NYU Langone, preemptively suspended services for trans youth, fearing the loss of federal funding, temporarily leaving thousands of families scrambling for alternatives. According to an NBC News report, the executive order has left providers and patients in limbo, with healthcare services abruptly halted to comply with federal mandates.
Mental health harm
Denying access to care isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a threat to lives. The Trevor Project reports that restrictions on gender-affirming care lead to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts among LGBTQ+ youth. These fears are reflected in at 30% increase in crisis calls to Trevor Projecton inauguration day. These policies send a frightening message to trans kids: their identities are invalid and their futures less valuable.
Broader implications
While these orders target trans care, their impact stretches far beyond the transgender community. Proponents of gender-affirming care have highlighted that restrictions on medical autonomy open the door for further government overreach, even affecting cases like intersex care or hormone treatments for non-trans children with medical needs. States like New York, however, have taken proactive measures to counter these effects, as described in Attorney General James’ statement.
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Resistance Rising: Fighting Back for Trans Rights
Resistance to these policies is growing louder and more unified. Advocacy groups, state governments, and everyday citizens are rallying together to challenge these harmful actions.
Nationwide lawsuits
Legal pushbacks are paving the way for change. Washington, Oregon, and Minnesota have collectively filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, citing violations of the Fifth and Tenth Amendments. These lawsuits argue that the orders are discriminatory and an illegal overreach of federal power. While the legal battles are ongoing, they have set a precedent for standing up to discriminatory policies. Recently, a federal court even halted part of the executive order.
State legislators defend constitutional rights
Several states are refusing to bow to Trump’s executive order banning federal funding for gender-affirming care for minors, with some drawing on their state constitutions to fight back. New York has taken a bold stand, with its Attorney General instructing institutions to continue providing care to trans youth, citing the state’s constitutional protections as the foundation for this defiance. By asserting that access to critical healthcare is a protected right, New York sends a clear message: discriminatory federal overreach won’t stand. This resistance not only shields trans kids but also sets a precedent for other states to challenge harmful policies with the legal tools at their disposal. The fight for trans rights is a constitutional fight, and leaders in states like New York are proving they’re ready to defend it.
Grassroots movements
On a community level, rallies have taken place outside of institutions that have decided to preemptively comply with the executive order. For example, at NYU Langone, over 1,000 protesters—parents, health care professionals, activists, and allies—assembled demanding the continuation of gender-affirming care. Their chants of “Stand up, fight back” echoed a broader movement of solidarity, compelling those in power to reconsider their stances. Facing immense public pushback, NYU Lagone resumed care to their transgender patients, demonstrating the power of collective action.
Medical professionals speak out
Amid the fear and uncertainty, many healthcare providers remain committed to offering care despite the risks. Dr. Morissa Ladinsky, a pediatrician and former co-lead of the Youth Multidisciplinary Gender Team at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, emphasized that executive orders should not dictate the ethical responsibility to provide lifesaving care. Professionals standing their ground are highlighted in NPR’s coverage, showing the determination to serve their trans patients even when legal ambiguity looms.
The Role of Social Media in Resistance
Modern activism owes much of its momentum to digital platforms. Social media has become a vital tool for information-sharing, community-building, and mobilizing support.
① Amplifying stories
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram give trans youth and their families a space to share their experiences directly with the public, putting a human face on this crisis. Sharing these stories can result in material gains. For example, a trans woman who was initially denied access to her passport in LA was awarded her documents after immense public outcry.
② Resource Sharing
Trans folks have been protecting each other’s rights to accessing gender affirming care long before the government enshrined their rights to it. Share resources related to DIY HRT and other grassroots led resources.
③ Organizing protests
Activist organizations use Twitter, Facebook, and group messaging apps to coordinate rallies and demonstrations in record time.
④ Organizing phone banks
Coordinated efforts to bombard institutions preemptively complying with phone calls of disapproval
⑤ Dispelling misinformation
Allies and experts combat harmful narratives by posting factual information about gender-affirming care, ensuring the public has accurate, accessible knowledge to counter fearmongering.
Building Hope for the Future
Despite the challenges, the fight for trans rights is far from over—and there’s every reason to believe that progress can and will prevail.
① Continuing advocacy
To safeguard the future, it’s crucial to maintain advocacy efforts at all levels. Whether it’s contacting lawmakers, supporting trans-rights organizations, cis allies stockpiling HRT, bystander interventions or simply showing up at rallies, every voice matters in building momentum toward change.
② Empowering the next generation
Youth-led initiatives are stepping up, bringing fresh perspectives and relentless determination to the fight for equality. Grassroots efforts, paired with the energy of Gen Z activists, ensure the next wave of leaders is ready to meet these challenges head-on.
③ Policy change on the horizon
With every challenge comes opportunity. The widespread pushback against discriminatory orders is positioning trans-rights activism at the forefront of national discussions, forcing lawmakers to address issues of equity and justice more openly than before.
Action Is the Next Step
The fight against executive orders targeting trans people is more than a political battle—it’s a test of society’s commitment to human rights, fairness, and dignity. The resistance of today will shape the world of tomorrow.
But meaningful change begins with action. Here’s what you can do right now:
Take advantage of bystander intervention training so you are well-prepared to protect your trans community members
Ask your trans community members what it is they need from you, especially if you are a cisgender ally.
Get grassroots resources, like Trans DIY HRT community pages, into the hands of trans community members.
Support trans organizations like the Trevor Project, Trans Lifeline, or Lambda Legal.
Amplify the conversation by sharing resources, stories, and information on your social media platforms.
Stand in solidarity with trans individuals by attending rallies, signing petitions, and donating to advocacy groups.
The road to equality may be steep, but together, it’s a path we can and must travel. Because trans rights are human rights—and all humans deserve to live with dignity, freedom, and respect.