On January 28, 2025 the Trump Administration issued an Executive Order entitled Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation. In response to this, I posted a blog on February 19, 2025 entitled Will Gender Affirming Top Surgery be Banned Under the Trump Administration? In it, I reviewed various issues related to that Executive Order.
It was specifically stated that there will be no ban on gender affirming top surgery for those of legal age – individuals not considered to be children. However, there will be a ban on gender affirming top surgery for children (minors).
The definition of a child, as enumerated in this executive order, is anyone under the age of 19. This is in contrast to most state and federal laws which consider the age of 18 as the legal age.
As stated in the order:
“… it is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called “transition” of a child from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures.”
and:
For the purposes of this order:
(a) The term “child” or “children” means an individual or individuals under 19 years of age.
This has now created a problem for those who are 18 years old and are wanting to undergo top surgery. Given present legal interpretation and considerations, these individuals will now have to wait another year – until they are 19 years old – before being able to have their surgery.
In response to this Executive Order, hospital systems and outpatient facilities in the Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan area (and likely all across the country) are now prohibiting gender affirming surgery for individuals who are under the age of 19.
So, if you are 18 years old and wanting to pursue top surgery, you will have to wait until you are 19 before this can be done.
It is possible that this could change in the future. If so, it will be reported here.
Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona
