Is the Federal Ban on Gender-Affirming Care Legal? A Lawyer’s Personal and Legal Perspective

In August 2025, the Trump administration announced a directive through the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that will ban gender-affirming care for millions of federal employees and their families starting in 2026. As a Nebraska attorney—and as a survivor of conversion therapy—I break down the legal implications of this ban, why it conflicts with federal civil rights law, and what steps those affected can take to protect their rights.