Since being sworn in, President Donald Trump has signed a flurry of executive orders targeting transgender and gender-expansive Americans. His effort began on Inauguration Day when he signed an executive order declaring that the U.S. government would recognize only two biological sexes on official government documents, eliminating Americans’ ability to change their gender markers or identify as nonbinary. Days later, he signed Executive Order 14187, which restricts gender-affirming care for individuals under the age of 19. As a result, health systems across the nation have started canceling appointments for trans youth. The move to end gender-affirming care dismisses decades of research on gender identity, dysphoria, and hormone therapy and labels such data “junk science.” Transgender youth are known to experience a disproportionately high rate of bullying, suicide attempts, homelessness and mental health disorders compared to their cisgender peers, often driven by exclusion and stigma. However, a study conducted by physicians at the University of Washington found that receipt of gender-affirming care was associated with 60% lower odds of moderate or severe depression. At a time when nearly three in five transgender and nonbinary young people report experiencing recent symptoms of depression, banning gender-affirming care is unconscionable.

President Trump is not the only politician attacking the transgender community. Still, by making it a central part of his campaign and policy agenda, he has shined a spotlight on the tension between medical autonomy and government intervention. To those cheering on the barrage of recent executive orders from the sidelines, consider this: Who would you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf—a reality TV show host or your primary care physician? If recent legislation is any indication, your autonomy over your own healthcare is at stake.

State-level policies offer perspective on how government intrusion in healthcare affects access. In states that have already passed legislation to ban gender-affirming care in some capacity, physicians who continue to provide these services risk lawsuits and loss of their medical licenses. In 2024, Texas filed a suit against pediatrician Dr. May Lau for continuing to prescribe hormones to her young trans patients after a statewide ban. Last month, Dr. Lau entered an agreement barring her from practicing medicine while her case is pending. Such repercussions have pressured medical professionals nationwide into “over-complying” with new guidelines on acceptable treatment. More than ever, physicians are asked to choose between upholding their oath to protect their patients’ best interests and preserving their careers. As they grapple with this decision, patients’ lives hang in the balance. Organizations such as the American Medical Association have repeatedly affirmed that gender-affirming treatments for transgender youth are essential. Despite countless testimonials from doctors and patients, the federal government is enacting policies that victimize a vulnerable community. In doing so, the Trump Administration is weakening the doctor-patient relationship and irreparably damaging public trust in health experts. 

Skepticism toward traditionally well-respected groups such as physicians, federal agencies, and collegiate researchers has surged over the past decade, exacerbated by the confusion of the COVID-19 pandemic. One study found that trust in physicians and hospitals plummeted from 71.5% in April 2020 to 40.1% in January 2024. As Americans continue to turn away from expert opinion, disinformation about the transgender community abounds—often driven by the alt-right. Several supporters of anti-trans legislation push the narrative that doctors, and even public schools, are forcing minors into gender transitions through prescription drugs and surgeries. Only 3% of high school students identify as transgender, and among those participating in the 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ young people, only 13% reported being on gender-affirming hormones. In reality, gender-affirming care is a unique combination of mental health counseling, hormone therapy, and surgery when deemed medically necessary. Having an elected official in the highest office who takes advantage of disinformation that claims otherwise and uses it for political gain is not only life-threatening for the groups he chooses to victimize; it is harmful for us all. Transgender rights are human rights, and no human deserves to be stripped of their right to exist, receive care, and be acknowledged. 

The assault on gender-affirming care sets a dangerous precedent that threatens medical autonomy and the doctor-patient relationship. Now is the time for Cornell students to take a stand. In early February, Weill Cornell Medical removed its pledge to protect gender-affirming care for youth from its website, raising concerns among LGBTQ+ Cornellians. As students we have the obligation to push for transparency, demand institutional support, and advocate for equitable healthcare on campus and beyond. Attend student health panels, support LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, engage with administrators, and use your voice to ensure that everyone receives the care and respect they deserve.