Gender-Affirming Care
Resources included here are for educational purposes only and do not indicate affiliation or partnership with the Washington State LGBTQ Commission.
If you see an error on this page, please use our error form here.
Gender-affirming care is lifesaving healthcare.
You have a right to access gender-affirming care in Washington state.
Gender-affirming care (GAC) refers to a wide range of social, psychological, and medical interventions that wholistically and intentionally affirm an individual’s gender identity or expression. All major medical associations in the United States recognize the medical necessity of GAC and many reject insurance exclusions for GAC.
No two individuals will have the same experience when seeking or receiving GAC because GAC is a highly individualized process. GAC is not only referred to as “transgender care”, as many cisgender individuals access these types of care, and these treatments are not limited to the transgender population.
We hope this page helps you better understand what gender-affirming care is and how you can access resources in Washington state.
Recent news articles around gender-affirming care.
Supreme Court delivers major blow to transgender rights, upholding Tennessee ban on gender-affirming care for minors [PBS - 6/18/25]
- Article on the result of United States v. Skrmetti.
Recent statements from agencies, medical and community organizations, and others supporting gender-affirming care.
Washington State Attorney General's Office:
Judge grants WA’s injunction request blocking Trump’s illegal order targeting trans youth and gender affirming care, Feb 28, 2025
AG Brown statement following PI hearing over Trump’s illegal gender-affirming care order, Feb 28, 2025
WA judge temporarily halts unconstitutional Trump order targeting gender affirming care for youth, Feb 14, 2025
For all statements from the Washington State Attorney General's office, click here.
Medical Associations:
USPATH & WPATH Condemn Decision in U.S. v Skrmetti Allowing States to Ban Access to Healthcare for Transgender Youth, June 18, 2025
Attacks on Gender-Affirming and Transgender Health Care - American College of Physicians, Aug 6, 2024
AAP continues to support care of transgender youths as more states push restrictions - American Academy of Pediatrics, Jan 6, 2022
Why We Stand Up for Transgender Children and Teens - American Academy of Pediatrics, Aug 10, 2022
AMA to states: Stop interfering in health care of transgender children, Aug. 26, 2021
American Nurses Association Opposes Restrictions on Transgender Healthcare and Criminalizing Gender-Affirming Care, Oct 26, 2022
Access to Health Care Services for Transgender Patients - American College Health Association, Feb 8, 2023
Frontline Physicians Oppose Legislation That Interferes in or Criminalizes Patient Care - American Psychiatric Association, April 2, 2021
ASPS Challenges Big Tech Censorship of Gender Affirming Care - American Society of Plastic Surgeons, June 22, 2021
Transgender Care - American Urological Association, Aug 2022
Transgender Health - An Endocrine Society Position Statement, Dec 16, 2020
Statement in Support of Transgender Children and Youth, their Families, and Health Care Providers - Federation of Pediatric Organizations, March 28, 2022
Digital guides and tools around gender-affirming care.
Washington State Attorney General's Office: Know Your Rights Gender Affirming Care
- Official guidance around your right to access gender-affirming care in Washington state from the Washington State Attorney General.
Washington State Attorney General's Office: Know Your Rights Washington's Shield Law
- Official guidance about Washington's Shield Law, which extended to gender-affirming care, from the Washington State Attorney General.
Get the Facts on Gender-Affirming Care
- Produced by HRC, this fact sheet helps you understand the basics of gender-affirming care and debunks common misconceptions.
Gender-Affirming Care for Youth
- The Trevor Project provides information on GAC for youth.
Map: Attacks on Gender Affirming Care by State
- While Washington remains safe for GAC access, other states across the country have seen rollbacks of protections and rights. See this map from HRC to see impacted states.
- Information from Advocates for Trans Equality on transgender and gender-affirming health care.
Transgender Healthcare "Shield" Laws
- Washington state is one of several states with shield laws that protect gender-affirming care. Learn more about access and protections across the country using Movement Advancement Project's map.
- Books and literature around transgender healthcare recommended by WPATH.
Supporting the Transgender Community: Gender Affirming Care Resources
- Registered Nursing provides information on GAC and how to support the trans community.
Studies, Reports, and Data around gender-affirming care.
The benefits of gender-affirming care
- UW School of Public Health shares why GAC is so important for all ages.
Gender-affirming care bans disrupt mental health of trans youth and their caregivers
- UW School of Public Health on GAC bans and their impacts on youth.
Amicus Brief of Experts on Gender Affirming Care
- Lambda Legal provides an amicus brief on the importance of gender-affirming care.
Understanding the short-term impact of gender-affirming care
- Article from the AMA around a study published in Jama Network Open about the short-term benefits of GAC.
The Evidence for Trans Youth Gender-Affirming Medical Care
- Article in Psychology Today around the benefits seen in mental health in patients receiving gender-affirming care.
- Study from the Williams Institute on the demand that states like Washington are seeing given bans and restrictions on this care in other parts of the country.
The Experiences of Gender-Affirming Care Providers in States Without Laws Restricting Access to Care
- Study from the Williams Institute looks at how GAC providers are experiencing a surge in demand in states that have not imposed GAC bans.
Medicaid Coverage for Gender-Affirming Care
- Study from the Williams Institute on how Medicaid beneficiaries experience GAC across the country.
Articles, FAQ sheets and more around gender-affirming care.
What is gender-affirming care? Your questions answered
- Questions about GAC answered by the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Navigating the legal landscape: FAQs on gender affirming care for minors
- FAQ for providers of GAC in the face of new laws targeting GAC across the United States.
Doctors Agree: Gender-Affirming Care is Life-Saving Care
- Article from ACLU on impacts of gender-affirming care bans and what doctors have to say.
How to Support Your Gender Expansive Child with Gender Affirming Care
- Article for parents and guardians supporting transgender and gender expansive children.
Podcasts about gender-affirming care.
OIC Answers: Gender-affirming care coverage with the state LGBTQ Commission
- Check out this pride month special episode of OIC Answers, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner's podcast, where Commissioner Darlin Lozano and Commission Operations and Policy Manager Sam Fennell sit down with Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer to talk about Washington state's commitment to protecting insurance coverage gender-affirming care.
Videos, movies, and documentaries about gender-affirming care.
Please note that some might not be free resources and might require a subscription service to view.
HRC Explains Gender-Affirming Care
- 3-minute video from HRC busting myths on gender-affirming care.
What Is Gender Affirming Care For Minors? - Gender Equality Network
- Information on what GAC looks like for transgender and gender non-conforming youth.
Gender Affirming Care Press Conference
- Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown and other speak on Washington's fight to protect gender-affirming care.
National organizations focused on advocating for gender-affirming care.
World Professional Association for Transgender Health
- WPATH is the global leader is transgender health and gender-affirming healthcare.
United State Professional Association for Transgender Health
- USPATH is the United States chapter of WPATH.
- One of the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in the country, HRC works towards LGBTQ equality through advocacy and education.
- National organization focused on advocating for pro-LGBTQ+ policies.
- Organization that works to bring together state-level LGBTQ organizations for support and networking opportunities.
- National LGBTQ+ legal organization working for full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ people and those living with HIV.
- LGBTQ+ legal group that works nationally for LGBTQ+ people and those living with HIV. They advocate and litigate on behalf of LGBTQ+ people.
National Center for LGBTQ Rights
- National legal organization for LGBTQ+ people and their families.
- National and trans-led legal organization working for transgender and gender-nonconforming rights.
- Organization focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion in education and support for LGBTQ+ youth.
- Crisis and suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ+ youth.
- Advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ older adults.
Organizations and clinics across Washington state focused on expanding access to gender-affirming care.
UW Medicine Transgender & Gender Non-Binary Health Program
- UW Medicine's gender-affirming care program provides GAC to patients in Washington state.
- Civil and human rights organization based in Seattle advocating for the needs of LGBTQ people. GJL also hosts Trans Pride Seattle and provides direct support to TwoSpirit, Trans, and Gender Diverse community members.
- QLaw Foundation of Washington promotes LGBTQ+ rights through the legal system and provides legal counsel to members of the community in need. Note: Due to overwhelming demand, QLaw is at capacity and has paused their legal request form.
- The Lavender Rights Project advocates for the Black intersex and gender diverse community by hosting events and providing resources such as a WA Legislative Bill Tracker and a Black Trans Legal Professionals Network.
- Statewide LGBTQ advocacy and community outreach organization.
- Washington state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
Mapu Maia Clinic - UTOPIA Washington
- Gender and culturally affirming LGBTQ+ care in Kent.
Resources across Washington state agencies around gender-affirming care.
Gender-affirming medical coverage rights
- Guidance from the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner on your right to coverage for gender-affirming treatment.
Apple Health (Medicaid) Transhealth program
- Information from the Health Care Authority on gender-affirming care.
FAQ: Apple Health coverage and state law protections for gender-affirming care
- FAQ document from HCA on access to gender-affirming care for people on Medicaid.
- Report to the Governor from the Department of Health on gender-affirming care.
RCW 74.09.675 - Gender-affirming care services - Prohibited discrimination
- This law outlines insurance protections in Washington state around gender-affirming care services. This RCW also defines "gender-affirming treatment" as "a service or product that a health care provider, as defined in RCW 70.02.010, prescribes to an individual to support and affirm the individual's gender identity. Gender-affirming treatment includes, but is not limited to, treatment for gender dysphoria. Gender-affirming treatment can be prescribed to two spirit, transgender, nonbinary, and other gender diverse individuals."
RCW 7.115 - Protected Health Care Services
- Establishes the protected health care services shield law, which extends to reproductive and gender-affirming health care services.
Under RCW 43.114.050, the duties of the LGBTQ Commission include providing a clearinghouse for information regarding both state and federal legislation as it relates to our purpose and providing resource and referral information to agencies and the public. While the LGBTQ Commission does not provide direct services, we work to connect constituents with affirming supports across the state through our collaboration with state agencies and community organizations. If you can't find what you are looking for here, reach out to contact@lgbtq.wa.gov or use our contact form and a Commission staff member will get back to you.