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Health

Discover the Health section of The Advocate, where readers can find the latest news on medicine, fitness, mental and physical wellbeing, scientific developments, and diseases that affect the LGBT community. Read the most recent on gay health, AIDS and HIV news, pregnancy and sex from experts like doctors and researchers. Learn about news related to health insurance, statistics, changing laws and government policy, and tools that can be used in preventing and curing illnesses in the United States and beyond.
diverse group of teens looking at their cell phones
News

Why experts say Trump’s revocation of California grant funds over trans inclusion endangers all at-risk kids

“If it’s a day ending in y, President Trump is attacking kids’ safety, health, and access to education as part of his culture war,” a spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom told The Advocate.

MRNA genetic medical research concept art
Health

Messenger RNA could be the key to an HIV vaccine — but RFK Jr.'s cuts pose a threat

The notorious anti-vaxxer RFK Jr. recently canceled $500 million in federal grants for mRNA vaccine research.
​Jaymes Vaughan (L) and Jonathan Bennett (R)
Health

Jonathan Bennett shares husband Jaymes Vaughan's rare health condition

The actor, who played Aaron Samuels in 2004's Mean Girls, shared that his husband recently got corrective surgery for a rare health condition.

Women's March in Washington demanding continued access to abortion after the ban on most abortions in Texas, and looming threat to Roe v Wade in upcoming Supreme Court.
News

BREAKING: Trump administration to limit abortion for veterans after restricting gender-affirming care

The proposed policy would eliminate access to abortion through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

RFK Jr
News

RFK Jr. mulls firing ‘critical’ panel that determines no-cost preventive care services insurers must cover

It comes weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force, which requires coverage for diabetes, cancer, and mental health screenings as well as access to HIV prevention, or PrEP, was properly appointed.

Planned parenthood clinic entrance
Politics

Federal judge blocks Trump's ban on Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood

Trump's ban preventing Medicaid funds from going to Planned Parenthood has been blocked nationwide.

Dana Nessel
Health

Michigan's out AG warns hospitals not to cave to Trump's trans ban, calls decision likely 'illegal'

"My Department will be considering all of our options if they violate Michigan law," said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
CVS pharmacy window customer interaction
Health

CVS Health denies coverage for  breakthrough HIV drug, committing 'clear violation' of ACA

CVS Health will not cover Gilead's Yeztugo, generic name lenacapavir (LEN), citing "clinical, financial, and regulatory factors."

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Booklet on table with glasses pen book 2017
Politics

Trump quietly bans federal health insurance from covering gender-affirming care

The largest federal health insurance provider now bans coverage for gender-affirming care, but allows "faith-based counseling."

A guard appears to be checking on inmates of an unidentified prison
News

Trans people in Georgia prisons are being forced to detransition. Now they're suing.

A class action lawsuit representing nearly 300 incarcerated people says the state's refusal to allow gender-affirming care constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
teen filling out medical paperwork with an adult
Health

U.K. to begin major study on health of transgender youth

The study comes at a time when gender-affirming care is under attack in the U.K.

​International Transgender Day of Visibility rally in Union Square New York City 2025
Politics

22 states that have passed anti-LGBTQ+ laws in 2025 so far

Here are all the anti-LGBTQ+ laws that have been passed so far in 2025, and which states they come from.

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Kaiser Permanente
News

Kaiser Permanente ends gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19

Kaiser will stop offering the surgeries as of August 29, but said that it will still offer other gender-affirming care.

Fred prepares to unmask villain labled gender exploratory therapy
Health

What is ‘Gender Exploratory Therapy,’ the HHS’s alternative to gender-affirming care?

Mental health experts weigh in on the practice and it's dangers to trans and nonbinary individuals.

two men at a kitchen table looking at a laptop computer
Health

Can 'AI therapists' help save LGBTQ+ people?

Prioritizing mental health is more important than ever for queer people — but is AI therapy the answer?

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
News

Illinois launches first-in-nation LGBTQ+ legal hotline

Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker has announced the launch of the nation's first-ever LGBTQ+ legal hotline.

woman holding pill for emergency contraception alongside a faceless texas police officer wearing cowboy hat
News

Texas woman charged with murder for abortion accuses police of 'maliciously abusing their power'

Texas officials are trying to get a lawsuit dismissed under qualified immunity after wrongly charging a woman with murder for having an abortion.

A person looking at their hair loss in a mirror
Health

Medical experts explain hair transplants and why trans folks are lining up to get them

Is hair loss surgery gender affirming care?

Maura Healey speaking at a podium
Politics

Massachusetts lesbian Gov. Maura Healey signs abortion and gender-affirming care shield law

Shield Act 2.0 further strengthens protections for patients and providers of reproductive healthcare.

New York Attorney General Letitia James
Health

Over a dozen states sue to protect gender-affirming care from federal investigations

A new lawsuit argues that the Trump administration is pursuing a backdoor strategy to restrict gender-affirming care nationally, while skirting state laws.