FTC and States Sue WPATH Over Gender-Affirming Care Claims

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and four states have filed a lawsuit against the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), accusing it of making misleading claims about gender-affirming care for transgender minors. This legal action reflects ongoing efforts by the Trump administration and others to restrict access to such care.

The lawsuit, supported by Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska, and Texas, claims that WPATH members financially benefited from purportedly deceptive information regarding gender-affirming treatments for children. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson emphasized the importance of parents having accurate information for their children’s healthcare decisions. He stated that the FTC will not allow medical organizations to prioritize profits over children’s health and safety.

“Parents have a right to make informed decisions about their children’s health,” Ferguson said. “The FTC will not allow parents and children to be deceived by medical organizations and providers prioritizing profit over children’s health and safety.”

WPATH responded by asserting that their guidelines are individualized for each patient, countering the claims made in the lawsuit. The legal action follows an FTC investigation into the organization. WPATH had previously sued to stop this investigation, arguing it infringed on their First Amendment rights. In May, a federal judge ruled temporarily in favor of WPATH, halting the investigation.

Besides WPATH, the FTC is investigating the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Endocrine Society for their guidelines on gender-affirming care, with both organizations also pursuing legal action.

WPATH is recognized for setting standard practices for gender-affirming care over the past 50 years, relying on scientific standards and consensus among experts. The organization stands firm in its position against the FTC, arguing that the agency’s actions are retaliatory and aim to undermine gender-affirming care.

“WPATH is in a strong position to prove that the FTC is acting out of pure retaliation,” the statement noted. “We expect the same result when we oppose this latest attack on WPATH and its mission to promote evidence-informed care and guidance for doctors and their patients.”

The article has been corrected to indicate the accurate designation of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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