February 09 2026, 08:15 
California sues hospital for ending health care clinic for trans youth
What the hospital did: Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego announced last month that it would be closing its Center for Gender-Affirming Care and would no longer provide gender-affirming care to people under the age of 19. This came after the presidential administration pledged to end grants and cut Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements to hospitals that provide trans health care.
Why it matters: Hospitals have been facing legal pressure (mostly from opponents of trans health care). This is one of the first times that a hospital has been sued for issuing a blanket ban on such care. If the legal strategy works, it could provide a model for fighting similar bans nationwide.
California sues a hospital for ending trans youth care. It could be a game changer.
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Detransitioner wins $2 million judgment in case against doctors
What the case was about: A woman who got a mastectomy as a teen – recommended by her psychiatrist after she discussed feelings of gender dysphoria with him around her breasts – later regretted it and detransitioned. She sued and even got help from the WPATH – a medical organization devoted to trans health care – claiming that her doctors did not adequately inform her of the risks of the surgery.
Why it matters: While the ruling was narrow, it has already led to two medical associations pulling back some support for gender-affirming care. Meanwhile, conservative media have been reporting the case as a “landmark” in their battle to ban all forms of gender-affirming health care.
Detransitioner who regrets mastectomy wins $2 million in malpractice lawsuit against doctors
Two medical groups walk back support for some rare forms of gender-affirming care for trans youth
Which groups: The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Medical Association (AMA) both said that they no longer recommend gender-affirming surgery for trans youth under the age of 19. (Such procedures are already pretty rare). This follows a detransitioner winning a $2 million judgment against doctors whom they accused of not following the standard of care when getting their consent to perform a mastectomy. These two medical groups’ statements are policy recommendations, though, not guidance. They are not based on new science — and both organizations stressed that they oppose legal restrictions on gender-affirming care.
Why it matters: Medical organizations have been one of the few institutions to stand up against the current moral panic against gender-affirming care. While these statements are from just two organizations — and apply to only a vanishingly small number of cases — they appear to show these organizations’ willingness to change their recommendations in response to current events, not science.
A second major medical org has walked back support for gender-affirming care for youth
Federal court throws Christian teacher’s lawsuit about pronouns out
What the teacher claimed: She said that her Christian values prevent her from addressing trans students by their correct names and pronouns. She said being required to do so also violated her free speech rights. A federal appeals court ruled that, as an employee of the school, this teacher can be told how to address students.
Why it matters: Another federal appeals court on the other side of the country ruled in favor of several teachers who made a similar argument. The Supreme Court may soon take up the case, but for now, trans students have won an important victory that applies to Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia.
Federal court rules that Christian teacher has to follow the rules & use trans kids’ pronouns
LGBTQ+ and allied celebrities speak out against ICE at the Grammys
Why said what: Billie Eilish said, “No one is illegal on stolen land,” and, “f**k ICE.” Bad Bunny said, “ICE out,” and, “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.” Kehlani said, “I hope that everybody is inspired to join together as a community of artists, and speak out against what’s going on,” and “F**k ICE!”
Why it matters: It’s hard to get people to pay attention to human rights abuses, and celebrities using a platform like the Grammys can help…. which is probably why Republicans have been denouncing these musicians all week.
This week’s pictures
With the Winter Olympic Games starting this week in Northern Italy, here are some of the out LGBTQ+ people representing the U.S.
Hockey player Hilary Knight
Figure skater Amber Glenn
Alpine skier Breezy Johnson
Speed skater Brittany Bowe
Speed skater Conor McDermott-Mostowy
Some great queer and trans reads
Deputy Editor Molly Sprayregen reported on a college professor who teaches students how to update Wikipedia articles with high-quality information on LGBTQ+ history.
The surprising way a professor & her students are preserving centuries of LGBTQ+ history
Contributor Greg Owens talked to Ellie Krug, a trans radio host in Minnesota, who described what it’s like living through the federal government’s assault on her state.
“Dystopian”: Trans radio host Ellie Krug explains what it’s like in Minnesota right now
Joshua Mackey shared 10 great movies to watch to understand what it’s like to be Black and living with HIV as part of the start of LGBTQ Nation’s February edition.
These 10 essential movies about Black people with HIV will open your heart & mind
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