Attorney General Ken Paxton along with the Federal Trade Commission and the attorneys general of Alaska, Iowa, and Nebraska are suing the World Professional Association for Transgender Health for intentionally deceiving parents in the promotion of gender-mutilation procedures for children.
“Any group that illegally promotes irreversible, life-altering ‘transitioning’ procedures to kids as safe and necessary will face the full force of the law for harming children,” Paxton said.
The complaint, filed in federal court in the Northern District of Texas, alleges WPATH marketed its treatment guidelines, known as the Standards of Care Version 8 (SOC-8), as grounded in strong scientific backing despite no evidence supporting that claim.
A report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found the evidence base underlying SOC-8 to be “exceptionally weak” and noted that international guidelines had relied heavily on WPATH’s own recommendations.
“HHS review identified significant weaknesses in the evidence base and guideline-development process surrounding ‘pediatric gender medicine’ promoted by WPATH,” Admiral Brian Christine, the assistant secretary for health at HHS said. “We welcome FTC efforts to examine those findings and take action as appropriate to protect patients.”
The association also failed to disclose information about significant risks and life-long side effects associated with the drugs, surgeries, and other procedures, which can “carry significant harms for minors, including mood disturbances, vocal pain, pelvic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, clitoral discomfort, vaginal pain, persistent sexual dysfunction continuing after cessation of use, and erectile pain—effects that can be permanent.”
Citing sworn declarations from patient and parents, the complaint states, “These misrepresentations and deceptive omissions have caused unspeakable physical and psychological harm to countless children.”
Clinicians were also allegedly telling parents that sex-rejecting procedures were the only alternative to a gender-confused child’s suicide, and that parents would be to blame if their child dies, despite no scientific evidence that life-altering surgeries reduces suicide risk. In multiple documented cases, providers asked parents if they “would rather have a live daughter or a dead son,” or vice-versa, even while the child in question was present.
Additionally, WPATH removed any age limitations for breast amputation, penis removal, or any other procedure except one specific type of genital surgery for girls, despite no basis for the rule change.
Although WPATH is structured as a nonprofit, the complaint alleges it functions as a trade organization for its members’ financial benefit.
One surgeon and WPATH member quoted in the complaint said, “The biggest reason for why everyone is doing it now, is the money is flowing. Because now insurance is paying.”
The complaint notes that WPATH’s former president, Dr. Marci Bowers, earned over a million dollars in a single year and that WPATH’s members have profited immensely from the organization’s work at the expense of children and their parents.
In a statement responding to the suit, WPATH denounced the new complaint. WPATH argued the FTC has no medical role or jurisdiction over the organization’s noncommercial speech and says both the federal and state claims are legally and factually baseless.
