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Missouri Court Upholds Ban on Minors' Gender Transition Care

1/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Missouri Supreme Court upheld a ban on gender transition surgeries and hormone treatments for minors.
The SAFE Act, enacted in 2023, restricts such care until 2027.
The court also ruled that Medicaid cannot cover gender-affirming care for any age.
Medical associations say these treatments are necessary for minors.
Attorney General Catherine Hanaway praised the ruling as protective for children.

History

Historical Context

In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder, reflecting a significant shift in societal views on gender and sexuality. The recent Missouri Supreme Court ruling, which aligns with the SAFE Act restricting gender transition surgeries for minors until 2027, underscores ongoing debates about transgender youth care, highlighting tensions between legal frameworks and medical consensus on mental health.

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Story summary

The Missouri Supreme Court upheld a ban on gender transition surgeries and hormone treatments for minors.
The SAFE Act, enacted in 2023, restricts such care until 2027.
The court also ruled that Medicaid cannot cover gender-affirming care for any age.
Medical associations say these treatments are necessary for minors.
Attorney General Catherine Hanaway praised the ruling as protective for children.

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