Spotlight on care during Transgender Awareness Week

Transgender Awareness Week, which runs through Saturday, raises the visibility of the community and spotlights issues facing the 1.6 million trans people in the U.S. Gender-affirming care for youths is at the top of that list of concerns. Restricting trans youths’ access to that care, which can include hormone therapy or surgery, can lead to higher rates of depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide, advocates say. At least 15 states limited access to such care this year or considered laws that would do so, according to the Williams Institute, a think tank at UCLA Law focusing on sexual orientation and gender identity.