Happy Monday and welcome back to Well Beings News!

This week I'm bringing you the latest policy battles and research developments shaping LGBTQ+ healthcare, plus a reminder of what's already in the resource library for paid subscribers—practical tools you can download and use right away.

Whether you're a seasoned provider or just starting to think about how to better serve queer and trans clients, there's something here for you. Let's get into it.

NEWS: the headlines you need to stay informed.

The legal pushback against the administration's anti-trans healthcare agenda notched a significant win last week when a federal judge quashed a DOJ subpoena targeting QueerDoc, an online gender-affirming care provider. It's a rare bright spot in an otherwise relentless assault on care access.

That assault continues on multiple fronts. A federal judge vacated Biden-era protections against gender-identity discrimination in Medicaid and Medicare. Meanwhile, new federal rules from the Trump administration threaten to criminalize standard treatments like puberty blockers and hormone therapy, with the added threat of stripping federal funding from providers. They are expected to face legal challenges supported by Lambda Legal's new "All Rise" campaign.

In Michigan, approximately 22,100 transgender youth are scrambling for alternatives and turning to underground networks. Education Department regulations now exclude nonprofits providing transition care for minors from Public Service Loan Forgiveness, targeting providers serving marginalized communities. Even at the Hampton VA Medical Center in Virginia, employees report threats of termination for wearing Pride lanyards.

The misinformation ecosystem isn't helping. Elon Musk's Grokipedia launched with a transgender entry that's exactly the dumpster fire you'd expect. Washington State University credentialed SEGM, a group labeled as anti-trans by the Southern Poverty Law Center, to provide continuing medical education to providers.

In public health news, California is dealing with local transmission of Clade I mpox. Public health experts emphasize that the Jynneos vaccine remains effective, but vigilance is critical as the strain spreads without international travel as a factor.

Rx RESIST: how you can make a difference

Canadian edition.

Support indie reporting. Uncloseted Media is ramping up Canadian coverage to track these developments without the corporate constraints that often soften mainstream reporting. Independent journalism ensures communities have access to accurate, unflinching coverage when it matters most.

Fund organizations doing the work. Groups like Project 10 and Rainbow Railroad provide mentorship, navigate systemic barriers, and offer direct aid to queer refugees and racialized individuals facing compounded threats.

MIXED MEDIA: worth your attention

• Play (and Share) Have I Got Phobia For You An interactive tool for identifying and understanding homophobia and transphobia—worth sharing with colleagues who need help recognizing discrimination when they see it.

• How I discovered the waiting times for every gender clinic in the UK Investigative work revealing that some Trans+ patients in the UK face waiting lists extending up to 12 years for gender clinic appointments. The data-driven reporting exposes a broken healthcare system and advocates for GP-led consent models to improve access.

• Insurance “Fraud” Is Widespread in Transgender Medicine City Journal investigates providers using diagnostic codes like 'Endocrine Disorder Not Otherwise Specified' instead of gender dysphoria codes for billing. Worth reading critically—the framing raises questions about whether this is actual fraud or providers navigating a hostile insurance landscape to ensure patients receive care.

• The Other Recovery A candid exploration of post-surgical depression following gender-affirming procedures—an often-overlooked aspect of recovery. The piece offers practical advice on preparation and emphasizes the importance of addressing emotional health alongside physical healing.

WHY UPGRADE

Paid subscribers get…

• access to the searchable research database

• original midweek reporting

• interviews with scientists, researchers, health and wellness professionals, and LGBTQ+ change-makers every weekend (Professional and Lifetime)

• all downloadables in the Resource Library (Professional and Lifetime)

RESEARCH: all the latest science

Not yet a paid member? Upgrade to check out the LGBTQ+ health research published last week in our new searchable research database!

ON WELL BEINGS NEWS: don’t miss a moment!

Original Reporting

Coming soon! In-depth reporting on the importance and methods of fertility planning and preservation for transgender people seeking affirming care. Featuring Dr. Kolb of HRC Fertility and Dr. Carrie Bedient.

Don’t Sleep on the Resource Library!

Need a refresher on what's in the resource library? Paid subscribers have access to downloadable tools designed to help practitioners provide better, safer care for LGBTQ+ clients.

Here's what's available:

Evidence for Gender-Affirming Care: Quick Reference Guide offers a printable one-pager summarizing key statistics and medical consensus. The guide addresses common parent concerns with direct, research-backed responses.

The Comprehensive Guide to Youth Gender-Affirming Care provides an in-depth resource spanning international medical consensus, mental health outcomes, safety data, and satisfaction rates. The 40-page guide includes sections on addressing misconceptions with specific studies cited and clinical takeaways.

Safer Spaces Self-Assessment Toolkit helps practitioners audit their clinical environments for LGBTQ+ inclusivity. The workbook guides users through evaluating physical signals of safety, practicing affirming language, and developing enforcement plans for values-based boundaries.

Is Your Intake Form LGBTQ+ Affirming? provides a 10-minute audit tool specifically for reviewing patient intake documentation. The guide breaks down common problems with standard forms and offers concrete alternatives.

And here’s what’s to come!

Practice & Documentation Tools will include a Gender-Affirming Care Charting Cheat Sheet for accurate, respectful clinical documentation and a Diverse and Inclusive Clinic Signage Toolkit to help communicate your values visually throughout your space.

Education & Training Materials will offer an LGBTQ+ Clinical Terminology Glossary for up-to-date language guidance, a What Not to Say guide identifying common microaggressions in care settings, and ready-to-use Mini-Modules and Slide Decks for training your team on affirming practices.

Patient-Centered Handouts will empower your clients with resources on how to advocate for themselves in clinical settings, what to expect from affirming providers, and realistic guidance on hormone access.

Organizational Assessment Tools will help you evaluate your practice systematically, including an Affirming Practice Self-Assessment for clinics and solo providers, a Policy Language Audit Guide, and a Website Audit Template.

Community-Focused Resources will support your broader engagement work with a Quick Reference Factsheet on evidence for gender-affirming care, a Workshop Toolkit for hosting panels and Q&As, and a Peer Support Group Starter Kit.