WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced plans to hold a workshop focused on the potential unfair or deceptive trade practices associated with “gender-affirming care” for minors. Slated for July 9, 2025, in Washington, D.C., the event, titled “The Dangers of ‘Gender-Affirming Care’ for Minors,” will also be streamed online to ensure accessibility. This initiative follows a directive to scrutinize the practices surrounding gender-related medical interventions for children.
The workshop, which will feature experts from various fields, will provide perspectives from doctors, medical ethicists, whistleblowers, detransitioners, and parents of individuals who have detransitioned. According to the FTC, the insights shared will be rooted in professional research, personal testimonies, and ethical considerations. The agenda, which will outline the specifics of the event, will be released in advance of the workshop.
Context and Purpose
The workshop comes in the wake of an executive order issued by President Trump that ended federal endorsement of gender-affirming care for minors. The order raised concerns about the long-term effects of such practices, stating, “medical professionals are maiming and sterilizing a growing number of impressionable children under the radical and false claim that adults can change a child’s sex through a series of irreversible medical interventions.”
The FTC’s decision to convene this event aligns with its broader mandate under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. This section empowers the agency to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive acts or practices. The workshop is aimed at exploring whether healthcare providers or other stakeholders involved in gender-affirming care have engaged in conduct that misleads consumers about the risks, benefits, and effectiveness of these treatments.
“The workshop will help the FTC to understand whether consumers are being or have been exposed to false or unsupported claims about ‘gender-affirming care’ and to gauge the harms consumers may be experiencing,” the agency explained in its announcement.
Implications and Key Concerns
Participants at the event will provide crucial insights into the practices and risks associated with gender-affirming care for children. Through the inclusion of detransitioners and their families, the workshop will also explore the real-life impacts of these medical treatments, many of which have been labeled as experimental. Additionally, experts and ethicists will examine the transparency of information provided to families and whether interventions adhere to the principles of informed consent.
The FTC’s workshop could have far-reaching implications. Any findings of deceptive trade practices or omitted risks could prompt regulatory action, legal proceedings, or new industry guidelines. Furthermore, the discussion may shape public opinion on the complex and controversial issue of pediatric gender-transition interventions.
Ensuring Fair Use of Federal Authority
By utilizing its authority under the Federal Trade Commission Act, the agency aims to ensure consumer protection in the healthcare sector. If evidence emerges that medical professionals or others marketed these services with misleading promises or insufficient disclosures, the FTC could potentially take enforcement actions against violators.
Given the sensitivity of the subject and the possible risks to individuals involved, in-person attendance at the workshop will be by invitation only. Members of the public or press interested in joining the event can express their interest by emailing the agency at healthcareworkshop@ftc.gov.
Looking Ahead
The July 9th event represents a critical step in assessing whether medical practices aimed at gender-affirming care for minors are aligned with ethical and legal standards. It also underscores the increasing scrutiny of medical interventions that have generated national debate.
The FTC’s findings from this workshop could guide future consumer protections in the medical field and provide a framework for assessing claims surrounding controversial healthcare practices. This event signals a commitment to holding industries accountable while ensuring that consumers, particularly minors, are safeguarded from potential harm.
For now, the general public will await the perspectives shared during the workshop, as it could have lasting implications for both policy and practice in this sensitive area of healthcare.
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