House Passes Bill to Ban Gender Transition

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation that would make gender transition–related medical care for minors a criminal offense. The bill targets procedures such as surgery and hormone treatments.

Under the proposal, doctors and other medical professionals who provide this care to minors could face prison sentences of up to ten years. The vote passed by a slim margin, reflecting deep political divisions.

Civil rights and LGBTQ advocacy organizations strongly criticized the measure, describing it as one of the most severe anti-transgender bills ever to move through Congress.

While the bill is considered unlikely to advance in the Senate, the House vote highlighted key Republican priorities and closely aligned with President Donald Trump’s stance against gender-affirming care.

Supporters of the legislation argued that such treatments are harmful to children. They claimed the care is driven by ideology rather than medical evidence and said minors need protection from irreversible decisions.

Democrats forcefully rejected those arguments, warning the bill would override medical expertise with political beliefs. They said it would criminalize physicians and interfere with families’ private healthcare choices.

The debate reflects a broader national struggle over transgender healthcare, parental rights, and how much authority the government should have in personal medical decisions.