Explore the geographical areas in the United States where the expression of gender identity is subject to limitations, contrasted with regions that guarantee protection for it.
In a concerning development, multiple states in the United States are considering or have already enacted laws that restrict gender identity care for transgender minors and impose other anti-LGBTQ measures.
Gender identity care, which includes medically necessary and evidence-based treatments that help a person transition from their assigned sex to their affirmed gender, is under threat. This care can include hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and surgeries, among other treatments.
Texas, for instance, has introduced 88 anti-LGBTQ bills so far this year, more than any other state. As the state's lawmakers reconvene for a 30-day special session in late July, a transgender bathroom bill is on the agenda.
The situation is not unique to Texas. As of 2025, at least 21 U.S. states have passed laws that restrict gender identity care for transgender minors and/or enacted other anti-LGBTQ legislation. These laws include bans on gender-affirming medical treatments, restrictions on transgender students' use of facilities corresponding to their gender identity, and limitations on participation in sports consistent with gender identity.
Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors, Senate Bill 1, was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2025, setting a precedent that such laws do not violate the Equal Protection Clause. This ruling could influence other states' legislation and legal challenges.
States with notably active anti-transgender legislative agendas include West Virginia, Kentucky, Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Tennessee, among others. West Virginia’s legislature, for example, introduced 35 anti-transgender bills in a six-month span recently.
The wave of legislation reflects a significant increase in both volume and scope of legal restrictions on transgender minors’ rights and healthcare access in multiple states across the U.S. As of July 11, nearly 600 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced into state legislatures, a record, according to the ACLU.
The situation remains dynamic with ongoing legislative activity against transgender rights expected throughout 2025. Four anti-LGBTQ bills have been passed into law in Texas, and education and health care are key targets for these bills. These bills span various aspects of everyday life, including bathroom access, school sports, and identification documents.
In a positive development, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs of Arizona signed an executive order in 2023 ensuring access to gender identity health care. However, Arizona's ban on surgical care for transgender minors is still on the books. Meanwhile, bans in Arkansas and Montana have been permanently blocked by federal courts.
The US Supreme Court has agreed to take on more cases dealing with trans rights in its next session, offering a glimmer of hope for those advocating for transgender rights. An estimated 40% of trans youth ages 13 to 17 live in states where these restrictive laws are in place, making it crucial to address this issue urgently.
- The escalating politics in multiple states within the United States have led to the consideration or enactment of laws that restrict gender identity care for transgender minors, encroaching on scientifically backed health-and-wellness treatments essential for a person's transition.
- Beyond anti-LGBTQ measures targeting gender identity care, these restrictive laws extend to actions such as bans on gender-affirming medical treatments, restrictions on transgender students' use of facilities, and limitations on participation in sports consistent with gender identity.
- The general-news landscape is marked by ongoing debates on transgender rights, with the US Supreme Court set to rule on more cases in the upcoming session, offering a potential turning point for advocates striving to uphold mental-health and well-being for transgender youth, who face significant challenges in states with restrictive legislation.
