Judge pauses Trump’s ban on gender-affirming care for youth after lawsuit
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at preventing people under 19 years old from accessing gender-affirming care. Two Central Virginia medical facilities have responded, with one choosing to resume offering this care and another still deliberating.
On Jan. 28, Trump signed an executive order that threatened to withhold federal support from any medical facility that offered gender-affirming care to patients under the age of 19. The order describes gender-affirming care as the “maiming” and “sterilizing” of persons.
Both Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health and University of Virginia (UVA) Health -- in the days following a memo sent by Attorney General Jason Miyares, which encouraged them to comply with the order -- updated their care policies for transgender youth.
VCU Health stopped offering gender-affirming medications and surgeries to youth, while UVA Health paused youth gender-affirming care altogether.
A lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maryland on behalf of several individuals and their families, challenging the executive order. The suit alleges the order is unconstitutional and violates several of their rights, including the rights of parents to make medical decisions for their children.
Initially, the lawsuit included 17-year-old Willow, a transgender girl who lives in Richmond. According to court documents, she was unable to get gender-affirming care from VCU Health due to the order. As of Feb. 11, the lawsuit has been amended and Willow is no longer listed as a plaintiff.
On Thursday, Feb. 13, Judge Brendan A. Hurson granted the plaintiffs a temporary restraining order, effectively pausing enforcement of Trump's executive action. It will expire on Feb. 27. In the meantime, court proceedings on this lawsuit will continue.
Following this move, 8News reached out to VCU Health to find out if it would resume offering gender-affirming medications and surgeries to those under 19.
"We are reviewing today's order to determine an appropriate course of action. VCU Health’s doors have remained open and will continue to be open, to all patients and their families for screening, counseling and all health care needs not affected by the Executive Order." VCU Director of Public Relations at VCU Health Danielle Pierce
UVA Health, by contrast, issued a statement where it said it had made a decision on how to move forward.
"On Feb. 13, 2025, a federal court issued a temporary restraining order suspending the federal executive order on gender-affirming care. Accordingly, UVA Health has resumed the provision of those services that were previously paused in response to the order. UVA Health will continue to monitor legal developments in this case and provide our patients with the best care possible under Virginia and federal law." UVA Health
8News will provide further details on VCU Health's next steps once they are known.
This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.
