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A parental rights advocacy organization is raising concerns about the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) stance on transgender medical procedures for minors and its guidance encouraging healthcare providers to withhold certain information from parents.
The American Parents’ Coalition recently compiled an online “lookout” documenting videos and public statements in which the AAP asserts that “science” supports “gender-affirming care” for minors, which can include puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical interventions. The publication comes just weeks before the AAP is scheduled to hold its advocacy conference in Virginia from April 12-14.
Alleigh Marré, Executive Director of the American Parents Coalition, criticized the AAP for behaving like “a political advocacy group, putting ideology ahead of evidence and children’s wellbeing.” According to the coalition’s report, during AAP’s 2025 Leadership Conference, 98% of its members voted to prioritize protecting gender transition treatments as their top resolution.
“Even as health systems abroad rethink experimental gender interventions, the AAP has doubled down on aggressive and irreversible procedures rather than exercise basic caution,” Marré stated. “By prioritizing resolutions that elevate transgender interventions and partnering with activist groups, the AAP is acting to protect a political project.”
The AAP’s advocacy extends beyond gender-affirming care to other politically charged issues, including supporting bans on so-called “assault weapons” and endorsing red flag laws that allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed potentially dangerous.
A 2023 blog post on AAP’s website titled “Supporting Our Transgender and Gender-diverse Youth” instructs doctors to provide “unconditional support” to underage patients, including using their preferred pronouns and names, and prioritizing patients’ gender identity desires even when parents express concerns.
“When patients and parents disagree about next steps for affirmation, acknowledge parents’ concerns, but always support your patient,” the blog post stated. “When youth are not affirmed, there is a significant increase in depression, anxiety, risky behaviors, and suicide.”
Critics point out that the AAP’s position contradicts findings from recent government-led research reviews. A 2025 report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services concluded there is insufficient evidence that medical and surgical sex-reassignment procedures effectively alleviate gender dysphoria. Similarly, the National Health Service England advised “extreme caution” regarding hormonal therapy for minors, suggesting that a medical pathway may not be the optimal approach for addressing gender-related stress.
In June 2025, AAP President Susan Kressly criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Tennessee’s ban on providing minors with puberty blockers and hormones, claiming the ruling deprived children of “basic human dignity.” Kressly defended gender-affirming care as “medically necessary” and “backed by decades of peer-reviewed research, clinical experience, and scientific consensus.”
Kurt Miceli, Chief Medical Officer at Do No Harm, countered this claim, arguing that the AAP is misrepresenting “the low quality of evidence” supporting gender-affirming care. “They are among the staunchest supporters of sex-rejecting procedures for minors, vehemently criticizing HHS’s comprehensive evidence review yet refusing to submit a peer review when invited,” Miceli said.
The American Parents’ Coalition also highlighted the AAP’s Adolescent Health Care Toolkit, designed to guide pediatricians through sensitive conversations with underage patients about sexual activity and gender identity. Training videos show doctors assuring teenage patients that such discussions will remain confidential and not be shared with parents.
In one example, a doctor discusses birth control and STI prevention with a 17-year-old who mentions having sex with a transgender partner. In another video, a doctor promises a 15-year-old who identifies as “gender-queer-demi-boy” that this information will be kept from the parents.
The AAP’s stance has faced additional scrutiny due to its funding sources. In 2025, the organization received approximately $19 million in grants from the Department of Health and Human Services. The Trump administration later terminated $12 million of this funding, with HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. characterizing AAP’s recommendations as “just a pay-to-play scheme to promote commercial ambitions.” The AAP subsequently filed a lawsuit, and a federal judge has temporarily restored the grants pending litigation.
The ongoing controversy highlights the growing national debate over parental rights, medical ethics, and the appropriate approach to gender-related healthcare for minors.
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14 Comments
I’m curious to learn more about the evidence and reasoning behind the AAP’s current stance. What are the key studies and data informing their guidance on transgender youth care?
That’s a good question. It will be important for the AAP to transparently share the scientific basis for their recommendations and be open to scrutiny and debate.
While supporting transgender youth is important, the AAP needs to ensure their policies don’t infringe on parental rights and decision-making. A balanced, nuanced approach is critical.
Absolutely. Parents should have a meaningful say in their children’s healthcare, especially for major, irreversible interventions. The AAP must find a way to respect both patient autonomy and parental rights.
The AAP should be cautious about pushing ideological agendas, especially when it comes to vulnerable youth. Their guidelines need to be grounded in rigorous science and ethical principles.
Well said. Putting ideology before children’s best interests is deeply troubling. The AAP needs to demonstrate that their recommendations are truly in the best interest of patients.
I appreciate the AAP’s desire to support transgender youth, but they need to be extremely cautious about encouraging treatments that can have lifelong consequences for minors. Parental consent is crucial.
Agreed. Any medical interventions for minors, especially irreversible ones, require the utmost care and consideration. The AAP must prioritize the long-term wellbeing of the child above all else.
This is a polarizing issue, but the AAP has a responsibility to provide guidance that is grounded in science, ethics, and the best interests of children – not political agendas.
Well said. The AAP must remain objective and avoid being perceived as a political advocacy group. Their recommendations should be based on rigorous research and broad stakeholder input.
This is a complex and sensitive issue. I hope the AAP can provide balanced, evidence-based guidance that prioritizes the well-being of transgender youth while also respecting parental rights and concerns.
Agreed, it’s crucial that any medical interventions for minors are thoroughly vetted and that parents are fully informed. Transparency and open dialogue are key.
This is a complex and sensitive issue that requires nuanced, evidence-based policymaking. I hope the AAP can find a balanced approach that respects both the needs of transgender youth and parental rights.
Well said. It’s important that the AAP’s guidance is rooted in rigorous science, ethical principles, and extensive stakeholder input – not political pressure or ideological agendas.