Attorney General Anthony G. Brown of Maryland co-led a coalition of 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland on February 4, 2025, in support of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and other plaintiffs. The lawsuit challenges President Trump’s Executive Orders 14168 and 14187, which target transgender individuals by labeling gender identity as “false” and threaten to withdraw federal funding from entities providing gender-affirming care to minors under 19.
Attorney General Brown criticized the Executive Orders for denying essential healthcare based on gender identity, stating, “The president’s attempt to ban gender-affirming care is an effort to strip transgender people of their humanity.” He emphasized the coalition’s support for transgender individuals needing such medical services to lead fulfilling lives.
The coalition, which includes attorneys general from states like Massachusetts and California, maintains that gender-affirming care is crucial for the well-being of individuals with gender dysphoria, citing studies showing its effectiveness in significantly reducing depression and suicidal thoughts among transgender youth.
The brief highlights the adverse impacts of the Executive Orders on healthcare providers and transgender youth, noting a dramatic increase in demand for crisis services following the Presidential election and the implementation of the orders. Despite the chilling effect on providers nationwide, the coalition reassured that federal courts have previously blocked efforts to withhold federal funds from healthcare providers offering gender-affirming care.
The attorneys general urge the court to approve PFLAG’s request for a preliminary injunction to halt the enforcement of the Executive Orders, arguing for the protection of healthcare rights and access for transgender youth.
