NH bans more health care for transgender youth
Advocates condemn the bills, which significantly restrict healthcare options for transgender young people and their families
CONCORD, N.H. (August 1, 2025)— Ignoring the warnings of medical organizations, civil rights activists, transgender youth, and their families, Governor Ayotte signed two bills into law today that will ban many health care treatments for gender dysphoria for transgender youth, prohibiting doctors from providing such care and stripping parents of the right to guide medical decisions for their own children.
Since 2021, 25 states have banned hormone therapy for transgender youth with gender dysphoria. Leading medical experts and organizations — such as the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics — oppose these restrictions, which have already forced thousands of families across the country to travel to maintain access to medical care or watch their child suffer without it.
Today’s bill signing of HB 377 and HB 712 follows a pattern of increasing legislative attacks on transgender young people: last year, Governor Sununu signed HB 619 into law, which also banned certain referrals for and gender-affirming surgery care for those under 18.
Advocates in New Hampshire gave the following statements:
Linds Jakows, Founder of 603 Equality, said, “By signing these bills, Governor Ayotte would rather side with malicious misinformation rather than declare the truth: that gender affirming care for young transgender people is safe, effective, and delivered by expert providers after detailed consideration with patients and their families. 603 Equality will continue to educate communities across the state about the importance of this care, and of controlling our own bodies and lives until these cruel laws are repealed.”
Courtney Reed, Policy Advocate at the ACLU of New Hampshire, said, “Governor Ayotte’s signature on this legislation is deeply disappointing: it means that the lives and well-being of transgender youth across the state are under threat, and that New Hampshire is okay with needlessly inserting politicians and bureaucracy between people and their doctors. Make no mistake: these laws are merciless, cruel, and painful for transgender young people, their families, and their doctors. But they are not alone in the road ahead, and we will continue to fight fiercely to ensure all people have the dignity and equality they deserve and the freedom to shape their own futures.”
Heidi Carrington Heath, Executive Director of NH Outright, said, "We are deeply disappointed in the decision to deny transgender youth in the Granite State access to evidence-based, age-appropriate, rigorously vetted, best practice medical care. These bills cause unnecessary harm, and undue hardship to an already vulnerable group of young people. This is not the New Hampshire way. The Granite State values of freedom and liberty mean creating a state where all are seen, valued, and cared for. The worth and dignity of LGBTQ+ youth is not up for debate. We will continue to prioritize the health and wholeness of LGBTQ+ young people.”
Chris Erchull, Senior Staff Attorney at GLAD Law, said, “HB 377 epitomizes extreme government overreach into the private lives and personal decisions of New Hampshire families. The best way to protect the health and well-being of transgender young people is to ensure they can continue to access essential, age-appropriate medical care from licensed clinicians practicing according to well-established medical standards of care. Parents know their children best, and New Hampshire families should be able to make healthcare decisions in consultation with their trusted providers, without government interference. This law takes that right away from parents who want nothing more than to care for their transgender child. GLAD Law will continue to work with our allies and use every legal tool we have to ensure all New Hampshire residents—including transgender Granite Staters—can live freely and safely without government intrusion.”
Jinelle Hall of Equality Health Center said, “As a provider of gender-affirming care and a proud member of WPATH (World Professional Association of Transgender Medicine), we know healthcare bans harm the people in need of care—in the case of HB 377 and 712, transgender and gender diverse youth. We had hoped the Granite State’s elected officials would align with evidence-backed science rather than the rampant misinformation and stigma fueling dangerous legislation like these house bills. Every young person deserves support, love, and healthcare.”
Liz Canada Advocacy Director at Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund and Planned Parenthood of Northern New England said, “Every major medical association is clear that gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth is essential treatment. Instead of following medical guidelines, Governor Ayotte has put politics over people and sacrificed the health, safety, and well-being of Granite State youth. Trans youth and their loved ones need our support, not the judgement and disregard of elected officials. Today is a disappointing day for New Hampshire.”
Grace Murray, Political Director at NH Youth Movement, said, “Gender-affirming healthcare is safe for young people. These bills are not based on medical guidelines but instead on ill-informed hatred and politics. Legislators have no business making decisions for patients when their doctors and parents are on board. New Hampshire is a state where everyone is supposed to be able to “live free”, including young people. NH Youth Movement will not stop fighting to make that our reality.”
Christina Warriner, New Hampshire State Director, Reproductive Equity Now, said, “The ability to access evidence-based, age-appropriate, and affirming health care allows transgender young people to lead healthy lives and become their authentic selves. Bottom line: decisions about one’s body, health, and future should never be dictated by lawmakers. By signing these bills, Governor Ayotte is victimizing, bullying, and punishing vulnerable young people in our communities. We will continue to fight back against these cruel attacks on trans youth, and continue to work to support them and their families as they navigate an increasingly hostile political landscape.”
Julia Hawthorne, 603 Equality Board member, said, “I am deeply troubled by Governor Ayotte’s decision to sign today’s bills, restricting access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Like many in our community, I did not come to understand that I was transgender until later in life. I often reflect on how different, and how much more whole; my life might have been had I recognized this truth earlier. That is why I am in awe of today’s transgender youth, who are standing in their truth in the face of hostility, misinformation, and political gamesmanship. They are advocating not only for themselves but for a future where all people can live freely as who they are. It is heartbreaking to witness lawmakers inserting themselves into deeply personal, private conversations between families, their doctors, and their children. These are decisions that should be guided by longstanding medical expertise, rather than by political agendas or fear. I can’t imagine what it would have felt like to have my healthcare been disrupted by politics as a youth. To transgender youth everywhere: we see you, we believe in you, and we will never stop fighting for your right to be who you are. You deserve love, respect, and access to the care that affirms your identity and your future. Now is the time for all of us, trans and cis, young and old; to stand together and say unequivocally: our lives, our identities, and our futures are not up for debate.
Emma Sevigny, Children's Behavioral Health Policy Coordinator, New Futures, said, “When young people can access the care they need to thrive, they have better mental health outcomes. HB 377 and HB 712 will harm youth by denying families access to evidence-based care. New Futures will continue to advocate for the resources all Granite State youth need to have the best chance for success.”
Nancy Brennan, Kent Street Coalition, “These bills will not change transgender adolescents from being who they know they are. But there will now be obstacles put in the way of the healthcare that every major professional medical, psychological, and pediatric association supports. It will force families with trans youth to move from NH (as many already have), or seek care across state lines. The prime sponsor of this bill used misinformation and fear to push this legislation forward, and showed no understanding of how bills like these lead to an increase in mental health issues and self-harm. She admits she did not have any one-on-one conversations with transgender adolescents happy with their care, or with their parents, or with transgender adults whose lives were changed for the better. The public testimony was overwhelmingly against HB377 and HB712. Those who testified in favor of the bills were mostly a few anti-trans activists from out-of-state. This legislation is devastating to a very small, vulnerable group of NH’s citizens.”
###
