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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.
Activists protest Donald Trump's policies at the Hands Off rally in Austin, Texas, in April.
Politics

Military families sue Trump administration over gender-affirming care ban

Three military families are suing to keep their children's access to gender-affirming care.

Demetre Daskalakis speaking at a white house press conference
Politics

RFK Jr.’s damage to the CDC is ‘past the point of no return,’ Dr. Demetre Daskalakis warns

“The CDC you knew is over,” the infectious diseases doctor told The Advocate. “Unless someone takes radical action, there is nothing there that can be salvaged.”
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.

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.

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.

doctor in lab coat at desk writing paperwork
Law

Texas doctor accused of providing gender-affirming care to youth committed 'no legal violations'

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton haw quietly withdrawn the lawsuit against doctor accused of providing gender-affirming care.
concept art digital collage combining pills on an orange background an express mailing postage box and the texas state flag
Politics

Texas passes bill banning abortion pills from being mailed to the state

Texas now allows private citizens the right to sue health providers for mailing abortion medication.

HHS officials celebrate CDC’s Demetre Daskalakis for standing up for science in blistering resignation
News

Health officials and experts praise CDC’s Demetre Daskalakis for standing up in blistering resignation

One HHS official called him a "public health martial artist."

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis
News

Out CDC vaccine chief resigns, saying ‘enough is enough’ with Trump and RFK Jr.

Dr. Demetre Daskalakis is one of the most respected LGBTQ+ public health officials in the U.S.
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.

Attorneys General Dana Nessel Michigan Rob Bonta California Letitia James New York
Politics

9 state attorneys general pledge to support transgender youth: 'We have your back'

"You belong here. You inspire us. And we do love you," nine state AGs tell trans youth in a new video.

Appeals court ruling creates 'lower-class citizenship' for transgender people, judge says
Law

Appeals court ruling creates 'lower-class citizenship' for transgender people, judge says

Anna Lange must go to trial to prove her employer discriminated against her by excluding coverage for gender transition.

Javier Muñoz and Peppermint on Capitol Hill
Politics

Javier Muñoz and Peppermint warn Congress 'we will be back to HIV wards' if funding is cut

Javier Muñoz and Peppermint tell The Advocate about their time on Capitol Hill fighting for HIV funds.

a person holding a protect trans youth sign alongside a gavel and the scales of justice in front of an Alaskan flag
Health

Alaska’s medical board moves to ban gender-affirming care for trans minors

Board members were dodgy when asked about their expertise on trans medical issues.

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.

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.