Story perspectives

9th Circuit revives DOJ subpoena against QueerDoc

8/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

On August 14, 2026, the 9th Circuit, authored by Judge Carlos Bea, revived the Department of Justice subpoena for QueerDoc.
The subpoena demands QueerDoc’s personnel, billing, patient records and drug-maker communications about puberty blockers and hormone therapy.
The panel sent the case to Judge Jamal Whitehead to review QueerDoc’s claim, allowing the DOJ to investigate providers of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children for compliance with federal law.

History

Historical Context

On June 26 2015 the U.S. Supreme Court issued Obergefell v. Hodges, a 5-4 ruling authored by Justice Anthony Kennedy that required all states to license and recognize same-sex marriages under the Fourteenth Amendment. The decision followed earlier victories in United States v. Windsor (2013) and Lawrence v. Texas (2003) and was reaffirmed in Pavan v. Smith (2017). That constitutional foundation underlies the 2026 Ninth Circuit subpoena of QueerDoc’s records.

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Story summary

On August 14, 2026, the 9th Circuit, authored by Judge Carlos Bea, revived the Department of Justice subpoena for QueerDoc.
The subpoena demands QueerDoc’s personnel, billing, patient records and drug-maker communications about puberty blockers and hormone therapy.
The panel sent the case to Judge Jamal Whitehead to review QueerDoc’s claim, allowing the DOJ to investigate providers of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children for compliance with federal law.

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