Trump Administration’s Executive Orders Spark Alarm in LGBTQ+ Community

Sweeping executive orders from the Trump administration are sending shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender youth and their families. One of the most controversial measures bans federal funding for transgender medical care for individuals under 19, leaving many families uncertain about the future of their children's care.

For 17-year-old Akani Drizdale-Ash, who has been receiving gender-affirming care for three years, the impact is personal. “Imagine somebody coming in and taking away your house—that’s how it feels,” Akani said, describing the fear of losing access to necessary medical treatments.

Doctors like Dr. Jeffrey Birnbaum, who treats transgender patients, are also worried. “I’m scared about what could happen to me, my institution, and every other institution where young people come for care,” he said.

The executive order is already facing legal challenges, and questions remain about how it will be enforced. With 26 states already restricting gender-affirming care for minors, six hospitals in states where it is still allowed have preemptively changed their policies, raising further concerns about access to medical treatment.

For Akani and others in the transgender community, the fight is far from over. “We will do what we’ve always done—stand up, lift our voices, and come together.”