FTC and States Sue WPATH Over Claims on Gender-Affirming Care
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and four states have initiated a lawsuit against the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). This action aligns with recent efforts by the administration of President Donald Trump and others to restrict gender-affirming care for transgender minors. The lawsuit contends that WPATH made misleading statements about such care for minors, benefitting financially through these assertions. Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska, and Texas, together with the FTC, are parties to the lawsuit.
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson made his position clear, stating on X that parents deserve the right to make well-informed health-related decisions for their children. He emphasized the FTC’s commitment to ensuring parents and children are not misled by medical entities prioritizing profit over safety and well-being.
WPATH responded by asserting that its guidelines advocate for care tailored to each patient’s needs, rejecting a universal approach. Before the lawsuit was filed, the FTC conducted an investigation into WPATH. The association took legal action to halt this investigation, claiming a violation of its First Amendment rights. A federal judge temporarily ruled in WPATH’s favor, barring the continuation of the probe.
The FTC has also examined the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Endocrine Society in relation to their gender-affirming care guidelines. These groups have taken legal measures against the investigations as well.
WPATH has long been recognized for setting medical standards in gender-affirming care for over five decades. The group emphasizes on its website that its guidelines are grounded in scientific standards, expert consensus, and patient values. WPATH reiterated in another statement that a federal court had already ruled against the FTC in this area, reflecting what it described as retaliatory actions by the federal government. The organization remains firm in its stance to promote evidence-informed care and support for medical professionals and their patients.
Note: This article corrects the name of the organization to the American Academy of Pediatrics, not the American Association of Pediatrics.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Associated Press retains full responsibility for the content.