Exit

Leave this site safely

You can quickly leave this website by clicking the “X” in the top right or by pressing the Escape key twice.

To browse this site safely, be sure to regularly clear your browser history.

Light blue background graphic with bold maroon text reading “RESPECT TRANS KIDS.” Below the text is a heart in the colors of the transgender pride flag (light blue, pink, and white). The PFLAG logo appears in teal. To the right, a smiling person with short dark hair, glasses, a black T-shirt, and a white shirt with red and green floral print poses with one hand in their pocket.

Submit Your Comment on Gender-Affirming Care

26 states have anti-trans healthcare bans, with more states trying to pile on with trans discrimination. Now, the federal government is trying to criminalize medically necessary healthcare for trans, nonbinary, and intersex youth.

It’s time to take action in support of our loved ones!

What is going on?

The FTC is using its regulatory authority to target medically necessary care for transgender youth. The FTC held a hearing on July 9th on this issue, where the agency demonstrated clear pre-existing bias against this care.

Learn more: Regulations.gov Document ID FTC-2025-0264-0001 (download PDF)

We can leverage our collective voices and speak the truth that:

  1. Transgender people are real.
  2. Transgender people deserve affirming medical care.
  3. Healthcare for transgender people should be available without government interference.

Read through the guidance below and submit a comment NOW.

Have questions? Reach out to us at advocacy@pflag.org.

  • What can I do?

    You can submit a public comment to the FTC on this issue.  Please see the section below, “How Do I Submit A Comment” for full guidelines and step-by-step instructions.

    Please make sure you submit prior to the deadline: Sep 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM EDT.

  • What should I keep in mind when submitting my comment?

    When submitting a comment to the Federal Government, it is important to keep a few things in mind in order to mitigate risks to you and your loved ones.

    First and foremost, please submit your comment anonymously; we will provide instructions on how to submit an anonymous comment below.

    Other things to consider:

    • It may be helpful to share personal examples of medical guidance, information, or medical advice that you received throughout the care.
    • It may be helpful to share stories of the ways that this healthcare has benefited you or your family and examples of scientific information that shaped or informed your healthcare decisions.
    • Some example of information that would be helpful to share in your submission include:
      • Any barriers you or your loved ones faced in accessing this care;
      • The number of appointments that pre-dated the first treatment;
      • How long you or your child were diagnostically assessed and the depth of information you and your child received — including potential side affects — prior to starting treatment;
      • The psychological and mental health support that your child received both before and alongside this care;
      • The positive effects and benefits of this care for you or your child
    • De-identify yourself and your family members: speak generally about ages, locations, and the specifics of the clinical care environment. For example, instead of “I am a 22 year-old transgender woman who has been receiving care from my local Planned Parenthood in St. Louis, MO since I was 12 years old.” say “I am a young trans person living in the Midwest that has received care at a community health center for over a decade.” This reduces risk of exposure to you and your provider. We have provided short examples of this in the form where you’ll write your comment. Ensure that you write your OWN comment rooted in your own experience; our examples are just that.
    • Avoid characterizing experiences as quick or brief.  Do not share the names of your providers, nor any identifying information about them; Be honest and cautious regarding how you describe the informed consent process; if you felt fully informed throughout the process, note that.
    • Debates about healthcare for transgender youth will also impact intersex adolescents and adults whose healthcare needs significantly overlap with gender-affirming care, and whose identities have also previously been attacked by this administration. Adolescent and adult patients with intersex variations face similar consequences as they often depend on these same medical providers, who treat transgender patients, when seeking care.
  • Are there risks associated with responding to the FTC’s request?

    There are risks. People can access the comments you submit via public records requests. People should NOT share personally identifying information in their submissions to the FTC.

  • How do I submit a comment?
    1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FTC-2025-0264
    2. Click the button that says “Open for Comments” near the top left of the screen, below the title of the docket, which is “Request for Public Comment Regarding ‘Gender-Affirming Care’ for Minors.” This will take you to a tab labelled “Docket Comments.”
    3. Click the button that says “Comment,” which will be near the middle of your screen, near a text box that says “Open for Comments” and “Comment Period Ends: Sep 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM EDT”
    4. Type your comment into the text box. Make sure you are following the above guidance when you comment.
    5. After writing your comment, scroll down and select the “Anonymous” option after the prompt that says “Tell us about yourself! I am…” This will help prevent any identifying information going to the Federal Government.
    6. Click the button at the bottom of the screen that says “Submit Comment” when you’re ready to submit.

    Please make sure you submit prior to the deadline: Sep 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM EDT

    View the terms of participation and privacy notice for Regulations.gov.