The AAMC joined the American Academy of Pediatrics and more than 20 other health organizations in two recent amicus briefs focused on ensuring that all adolescents, including those with gender dysphoria, receive the optimal medical and mental health care they need.
The AAMC joined an amicus brief filed in the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Dec. 18, 2023, urging the court to affirm the district court’s injunction in Brandt v. Griffin. The case involves Arkansas Act 626, passed by the General Assembly over the governor’s veto. The act prohibits health care providers from providing patients under 18 with medically necessary treatments for gender dysphoria.
The AAMC also joined an amicus brief filed with the Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 5, urging affirmance of the trial court’s injunction in Loe v. Texas. The case involves Senate Bill 14, which prohibits health care providers from providing patients under 18 with medically necessary treatments for gender dysphoria.
The briefs provide background on gender identity and gender dysphoria. They detail the professionally accepted medical guidelines for treating adolescents with gender dysphoria, the scientifically rigorous process by which the guidelines were developed, and the evidence that gender-affirming care is effective and saves lives. Because both briefs focus primarily on adolescents, they do not discuss surgeries that are typically available to transgender adults.