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Federal Prisons Prohibit Gender-Affirming Care for Trans People 

HeadlineFeb 20, 2026

Federal prisons will no longer provide gender-affirming care to incarcerated trans people. That’s according to The Marshall Project, which reported the Bureau of Prisons released its new policy Thursday. Under the new rule, trans people will no longer have access to gender-affirming surgery, hormone care, clothing or toiletry items that align with their gender identity. Hormone therapy will reportedly be replaced with prescription medications for depression and other mental health conditions, many of which are caused by hormone withdrawal, including suicidal ideation. Advocates have vowed to fight Trump’s latest attack on the trans community, saying this policy threatens the lives of hundreds of people who were receiving gender-affirming care in federal prisons.

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