Gender Affirming Care: Privacy and Personal Autonomy

Gender-affirming care is a deeply personal and medical decision that should remain between a doctor and their patient. In the case of minors, this decision should also involve parents who work alongside medical professionals to support their child’s well-being.

I view this issue through the same lens as abortion rights—it is fundamentally a matter of privacy. No one—not the government, not outside voices—has the right to interfere with an individual’s medical care or the decisions they make in consultation with their physician.

Laws that restrict or ban gender-affirming care for any individual, regardless of age, represent a dangerous form of government overreach. These laws undermine the doctor-patient relationship, sow distrust in the healthcare system, and harm individuals seeking medically necessary care.

If people are presented with accurate, evidence-based information from trusted physicians, they can make informed decisions about their own health. We must respect their autonomy and support their right to choose the path that aligns with their personal needs and values.

Denying access to gender-affirming care not only infringes on personal rights—it places lives at risk. Many who seek this care do so to improve their mental health, alleviate distress, and live authentically. Respecting and protecting this right is not just about medical care—it’s about dignity, self-determination, and freedom.

By standing against restrictive laws and supporting access to gender-affirming care, we affirm our commitment to a society where medical privacy and personal autonomy are respected for everyone.