The situation has deteriorated for transgender youth around the country, with many clinics shuttering and state AGs unwilling to enforce law. For adults, some states see higher risk.
A few people had questions of some of the states on my map such as NY/CA/IL moving up in risk for trans youth.
If a state has moved up in risk, it's because of clinic closures at major clinics.
I cannot in good faith keep a state low risk if state laws are not being enforced to keep clinics open.
Light red is moderate risk. States in light red have shown major closures. State AGs can enforce state law to ensure hospitals don't discriminate against trans patients. In NY and MI, AGs have threatened - but have not actually enforced it. Major clinics remain restricted for new youth patients.
Legal risk for trans youth now has to take into account the way state laws interact with federal threat. In the darkest blue states, there have been no clinic closures and no sign of capitulation.
Moderate risk fits very well here for states that HAVE seen major closures.
As for California, California has seen both major clinic closures, no enforcement of state laws against clinics that are discriminating, AND some trans athlete restrictions. It obviously is "moderate risk" at this point. NY and IL have likewise seen major closures and no enforcement yet.
For New York, I have multiple reports from clinics in the state either closing, closing to new patients, or not allowing patients to progress to HRT/Blockers. Including from some of the clinics that have "reopened."
For Illinois, the state is seeing mass clinic closures, with the state AG defending the "tough position" the hospitals are in rather than enforcing state laws against them.
Suing the Trump administration is not enough to mitigate that risk. Suits against the Trump admin are in federal court with an actively opposing SCOTUS.
They can also sue the hospitals in state court, and should.
Unless they do, more hospitals will close.
Whether you agree or disagree with the decision not to sue hospitals, we can all agree that if legal threats continue to result in closing clinics, it would be irresponsible to keep a state "low risk" that continues to see such closures.
I hear you Leah. For what it’s worth my intuition as a Native New Yorker: living in New York is hope incarnate.
New York has a long history of championing individual liberty and human rights, serving as a key center for several movements. The state was a critical part of the Underground Railroad, offering refuge and freedom to those escaping slavery. This tradition of activism continued with the female suffrage movement, which found a stronghold in New York with the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, a pivotal event in the fight for female voting rights. Beyond these historic struggles, the state has continued its work in promoting human rights through modern legislative efforts, enacting strong anti-discrimination laws to ensure equality and inclusion for all.
I had taken a transfer out of New York to down south in Florida to open up a branch office many years ago. Without going into detail, it’s different down south. Being able to retire and relocate back home to New York is a fulfillment of hope (for me).
I don’t want to leave the country I love, and I’m not going to leave New York where I was born. If New York leaves, one way or the other, I go with it.
And really, when even Toronto, Ontario, Canada sees you as a beacon of hope, maybe NYC has a shitload going for it, even if we did give the world two narcissistic sex pests (i.e. Trumpy and Andrew Cuomo).
Erin, we could really use a travel map showing bathroom bans and other concerns specificly concerning trans folks visiting or traveling through each state.
Thanks Erin. Sad parent here in CA. Do we have any information on how the California AG is handling these federal investigations? Do any of the protections we have here make our kids any bit safer?
FYI, I put together this Reddit campaign to encourage people to contact their AGs and press them to take action. For each blue state with protection laws, the AG contact info is listed and an email templateis provided.
The California AG initially warned hospitals not to comply too back in February. But your right, so far he’s only taken legal action against the Trump administration for threatening hospitals as opposed to taking action against the hospitals themselves.
Thank you once again for your hard work and courage, Erin; you're one tough woman. It's an honor to support your reporting with a subscription. While not surprising it's just awful the see the new maps. What the hell is wrong with this country? Haven't people read history? Don't they know how this has ended before?
Strength to us all, and love. There's nothing wrong with us; there's something wrong with the world.
Thank you for this, Erin. Living in Oregon and seeing hospitals like Kaizer stop care for Transgender Youth, I had no idea our state AG had the power to force them not to cave in. Now I know to put pressure on the AG.
Thank you - I am horrified that CA has been moved from safe to moderate risk. It’s time that the CA DNC start pressuring Newsom to reverse course. That means it’s all hands on deck to start pressuring the state DNC to pressure Newsom. Political power starts from the bottom not the other way around.
This makes me SICK - looking as this list it scares the hell out of me - can i no longer take my grandchild to Florida and be subjected to harassment or jail for taking my grandchild to Disney or to visit someone - This country is gone to hell - WE MUST STAND UP AND PUSH BACK - WE MUST VOTE OUT THESE REPUBLICANS AND ANYONE ELSE WHO CONTINUES TO PERSECUTE
I’m glad MA is still dark blue for both adults and minors. Earlier this year a sports bill in MA was considered which concerned me. However, to my knowledge it never became law. And recently, the state enacted a new round of strong shield laws for trans medical care. This shows me that the state is deeply committed to protecting trans people, including youth.
Like others, however, I am deeply concerned about the shift of so many states out of the safe categories, particularly for trans youth. I think future safety everywhere will be most dependent on the ability and willpower of individual states to resist this, and protect their citizens.
Thank you Erin. For the youth states, what is the difference between moderate risk and low risk? Is California really less safe than New Mexico or Minnesota?
California has seen massive clinic closures and CIF has enacted sports restrictions, and California has refused to enforce civil rights legislation against the clinics closing.
Minnesota and New Mexico have not seen those same policies for youth.
Thank you for sharing this! This is very good and helpful to know! I am lucky to live in a safe state (for now at least) and feel for those in Florida or Texas, or even in the less supportive states.
A few people had questions of some of the states on my map such as NY/CA/IL moving up in risk for trans youth.
If a state has moved up in risk, it's because of clinic closures at major clinics.
I cannot in good faith keep a state low risk if state laws are not being enforced to keep clinics open.
Light red is moderate risk. States in light red have shown major closures. State AGs can enforce state law to ensure hospitals don't discriminate against trans patients. In NY and MI, AGs have threatened - but have not actually enforced it. Major clinics remain restricted for new youth patients.
Legal risk for trans youth now has to take into account the way state laws interact with federal threat. In the darkest blue states, there have been no clinic closures and no sign of capitulation.
Moderate risk fits very well here for states that HAVE seen major closures.
As for California, California has seen both major clinic closures, no enforcement of state laws against clinics that are discriminating, AND some trans athlete restrictions. It obviously is "moderate risk" at this point. NY and IL have likewise seen major closures and no enforcement yet.
For New York, I have multiple reports from clinics in the state either closing, closing to new patients, or not allowing patients to progress to HRT/Blockers. Including from some of the clinics that have "reopened."
For Illinois, the state is seeing mass clinic closures, with the state AG defending the "tough position" the hospitals are in rather than enforcing state laws against them.
Suing the Trump administration is not enough to mitigate that risk. Suits against the Trump admin are in federal court with an actively opposing SCOTUS.
They can also sue the hospitals in state court, and should.
Unless they do, more hospitals will close.
Whether you agree or disagree with the decision not to sue hospitals, we can all agree that if legal threats continue to result in closing clinics, it would be irresponsible to keep a state "low risk" that continues to see such closures.
Hope this clears some things up.
Watching some of the “safest states” turn “moderate risk” for our youth makes my stomach sick.
As a resident in one of those "moderate risk" states who were at one point a "safest state" (i.e. New York) I feel like I need all the hope I can get.
I hear you Leah. For what it’s worth my intuition as a Native New Yorker: living in New York is hope incarnate.
New York has a long history of championing individual liberty and human rights, serving as a key center for several movements. The state was a critical part of the Underground Railroad, offering refuge and freedom to those escaping slavery. This tradition of activism continued with the female suffrage movement, which found a stronghold in New York with the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, a pivotal event in the fight for female voting rights. Beyond these historic struggles, the state has continued its work in promoting human rights through modern legislative efforts, enacting strong anti-discrimination laws to ensure equality and inclusion for all.
I had taken a transfer out of New York to down south in Florida to open up a branch office many years ago. Without going into detail, it’s different down south. Being able to retire and relocate back home to New York is a fulfillment of hope (for me).
I don’t want to leave the country I love, and I’m not going to leave New York where I was born. If New York leaves, one way or the other, I go with it.
Thanks for that message. I really appreciate it!
And really, when even Toronto, Ontario, Canada sees you as a beacon of hope, maybe NYC has a shitload going for it, even if we did give the world two narcissistic sex pests (i.e. Trumpy and Andrew Cuomo).
Thank you for your work, Erin. It's devastating. I appreciate you continuing to fight.
Erin, we could really use a travel map showing bathroom bans and other concerns specificly concerning trans folks visiting or traveling through each state.
You can find those at Movement Advancement Project
https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/nondiscrimination/bathroom_bans
Thanks Erin. Sad parent here in CA. Do we have any information on how the California AG is handling these federal investigations? Do any of the protections we have here make our kids any bit safer?
The CA AG is not enforcing state civil rights law against CIF or against hospitals closing. The CA AG is only targeting the Trump admin.
Other state AGs such as Nessel and James have warned hospitals not to comply. Even those have not forced the hospitals not to comply though.
Erin,
FYI, I put together this Reddit campaign to encourage people to contact their AGs and press them to take action. For each blue state with protection laws, the AG contact info is listed and an email templateis provided.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MtF/comments/1mo7ayl/this_is_crap_lets_contact_our_blue_state_ags_and/
:-(
The California AG initially warned hospitals not to comply too back in February. But your right, so far he’s only taken legal action against the Trump administration for threatening hospitals as opposed to taking action against the hospitals themselves.
Thank you once again for your hard work and courage, Erin; you're one tough woman. It's an honor to support your reporting with a subscription. While not surprising it's just awful the see the new maps. What the hell is wrong with this country? Haven't people read history? Don't they know how this has ended before?
Strength to us all, and love. There's nothing wrong with us; there's something wrong with the world.
Thank you for this, Erin. Living in Oregon and seeing hospitals like Kaizer stop care for Transgender Youth, I had no idea our state AG had the power to force them not to cave in. Now I know to put pressure on the AG.
Thank you - I am horrified that CA has been moved from safe to moderate risk. It’s time that the CA DNC start pressuring Newsom to reverse course. That means it’s all hands on deck to start pressuring the state DNC to pressure Newsom. Political power starts from the bottom not the other way around.
This makes me SICK - looking as this list it scares the hell out of me - can i no longer take my grandchild to Florida and be subjected to harassment or jail for taking my grandchild to Disney or to visit someone - This country is gone to hell - WE MUST STAND UP AND PUSH BACK - WE MUST VOTE OUT THESE REPUBLICANS AND ANYONE ELSE WHO CONTINUES TO PERSECUTE
ANYONE WHO DISAGREES WITH THEM
On the adult map, VA is marked as moderate risk, but then is listed with other low risk states in the explanation?
Momentarily fixing this. They were assessed at a higher risk last map, but the landscape has changed and they should indeed remain at low risk now.
A possible contradiction. I moot that if Spanberger wins the Governorship, VA should be made light blue at that time.
Pennsylvania is one bad election from being an at risk state.
Gov. Shapiro (D) has been a fairly strong ally of LGBTQ people, and hopefully he will be reelected in 2026.
Erin’s map has PA as relatively safe for trans people, and for now I’d concur with that assessment.
I hope so. I just look at the margins in the PA house, and imagine life if the GOP takes it and the governorship
Same in Wisconsin. We like our chances in 2026 but can't really sleep easy here.
I’m glad MA is still dark blue for both adults and minors. Earlier this year a sports bill in MA was considered which concerned me. However, to my knowledge it never became law. And recently, the state enacted a new round of strong shield laws for trans medical care. This shows me that the state is deeply committed to protecting trans people, including youth.
Like others, however, I am deeply concerned about the shift of so many states out of the safe categories, particularly for trans youth. I think future safety everywhere will be most dependent on the ability and willpower of individual states to resist this, and protect their citizens.
I live in Vermont, which is presently pretty safe. But, I will have to travel to Texas, Missouri, and Ohio in the next 12 months. smh
Thank you Erin. For the youth states, what is the difference between moderate risk and low risk? Is California really less safe than New Mexico or Minnesota?
California has seen massive clinic closures and CIF has enacted sports restrictions, and California has refused to enforce civil rights legislation against the clinics closing.
Minnesota and New Mexico have not seen those same policies for youth.
For adults, all are about as safe as one another.
A continuing thanks for your work and that of your wife.
Thank you for sharing this! This is very good and helpful to know! I am lucky to live in a safe state (for now at least) and feel for those in Florida or Texas, or even in the less supportive states.