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Lawsuits over Transgender Medical Care for Minors in the US
Multiple lawsuits and legal actions target providers of gender-affirming care to minors, including malpractice verdicts, state attorney general suits, and federal policy challenges, amid shifting medical stances.
Why It Matters
These cases could reshape medical practices, liability for doctors, and policies on youth gender care, with potential national impact on healthcare standards and access.
Timeline
13 Events
HHS threatens Johns Hopkins investigation
Early 2026
HHS threatens probe into Johns Hopkins for alleged gender transition procedures on minors; hospital denies performing surgeries on minors.
Dr. May Lau surrenders license
Early 2026
Dr. May Lau surrenders medical license amid Paxton's lawsuit under SB 14.
19 states sue HHS over minor care ban
December 2025
19 states file lawsuit against HHS declaration banning puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries for minors as unsafe.
AMA agrees to defer surgeries to adulthood
February 4, 2026
American Medical Association agrees with ASPS, stating evidence insufficient and surgeries in minors should be deferred to adulthood.
ASPS opposes gender surgeries for under 19
February 3, 2026
American Society of Plastic Surgeons issues statement against gender-related surgery for patients under 19, citing study limitations and harms.
Jury awards $2M to Fox Varian
January 30, 2025
New York jury awards Fox Varian $2 million ($1.6M pain and suffering, $400K medical costs) in malpractice suit over mastectomy at age 16.
Texas drops suit against Dr. Granados
September 2025
State drops lawsuit against Granados after finding he stopped care before SB 14 effective date.
Paxton sues additional Texas doctors
Shortly October 2024
Paxton files similar suits against El Paso endocrinologist Hector Granados and Dallas pediatrician Brett Cooper.
Texas AG Paxton sues Dr. May Lau
October 2024
Texas AG Ken Paxton files first lawsuit under SB 14 against Dr. May Lau for prescribing testosterone to 21 minors aged 14-17.
Varian files malpractice lawsuit
2023
Fox Varian files medical malpractice suit against her psychologist and surgeon, first such case by a detransitioner to reach jury.
Varian begins detransition
2022
Fox Varian decides to detransition after mental health worsens post-surgery.
Fox Varian undergoes double mastectomy
December 2019
Fox Varian, aged 16, undergoes double mastectomy as part of gender transition.
Texas enacts Senate Bill 14 banning gender-transition hormones for minors
2023
Texas passes Senate Bill 14, prohibiting physicians from prescribing hormones to minors for gender transition.