U.S. Judge Orders Federal Prisons to Continue Providing Hormone Therapy to Transgender Inmates

On June 3, 2025, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) must continue providing hormone therapy and social accommodations to transgender inmates, blocking the enforcement of President Donald Trump's executive order that sought to halt such treatments. The order, issued on January 20, 2025, mandated that federal funds not be used for medical procedures or treatments aimed at conforming an inmate's appearance to that of the opposite sex. Judge Lamberth's decision allows over 2,000 transgender inmates to proceed with a class-action lawsuit challenging the executive order.

The lawsuit, led by plaintiffs including Alishea Kingdom, a transgender woman who was prescribed hormone therapy injections and approved to receive social accommodations, demonstrated how the executive order disrupted vital ongoing treatments and heightened emotional distress associated with gender dysphoria. Judge Lamberth emphasized that denying medically approved treatment could violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. He criticized the administration for failing to analyze the consequences of ending care and stressed that democratic governance requires adherence to established laws, not unilateral executive decisions.

The ruling ensures that all current and future federal inmates diagnosed with gender dysphoria retain access to appropriate care. The plaintiffs are represented by the Transgender Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union. The decision has been hailed as a significant victory for transgender rights and a reaffirmation of constitutional protections for incarcerated individuals.

This legal development underscores the ongoing challenges and debates surrounding the provision of gender-affirming care in correctional facilities. While the ruling pertains specifically to federal prisons, it may have broader implications for state-level policies and practices regarding transgender inmates. As the lawsuit progresses, further legal scrutiny and potential appeals are expected.

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