California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a reminder to hospitals and federally-funded healthcare providers in the state about their legal obligations under California anti-discrimination law. This comes amid confusion following President Trump's directive on freezing federal funding and his executive order concerning gender-affirming care.
Bonta specifically addressed Children's Hospital Los Angeles, notifying them of potential violations of state laws due to reports that the hospital is pausing hormonal therapies for gender-affirming care patients under 19 and surgeries on minors. He emphasized, "California supports the rights of transgender youth to live their lives as their authentic selves."
The California Department of Justice is aware of concerns about the impact of recent federal actions on gender-affirming care. In response, Bonta, along with 22 other state attorneys general, filed a lawsuit in federal court against these federal efforts. On January 31, 2025, the court issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting federal agencies from pausing or terminating such funding.
The U.S. Department of Justice has indicated compliance with this order, stating that no awards or obligations can be paused based on recent executive orders or OMB memos. This means there is no basis for threatening or revoking federal funding related to gender-affirming care.
Under California law, discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is prohibited by acts such as the Unruh Civil Rights Act and Government Code section 11135. Refusal to provide services based on these protected statuses constitutes discrimination.
Several resources are available for transgender youth and LGBTQ+ individuals in California, including various departments' webpages providing information about health equity and civil rights.
Individuals who believe their rights are being violated due to the enforcement of the President’s executive order can file complaints with either the California Attorney General's Office or the California Civil Rights Department.
A copy of Attorney General Bonta's letter to Children's Hospital Los Angeles is available online.