New Jersey governor protects trans youth seeking health care with executive order

Gov. Phil Murphy
Photo: Phil Murphy for Governor

Bucking the trend of state governments working to limit transgender youth’s access to gender-affirming healthcare, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed an executive order preventing people in the state from being extradited for providing, receiving, or facilitating gender-affirming care. Murphy also banned state agencies from cooperating with interstate investigations that would punish someone for gender-affirming care, and he also required them to help protect people in New Jersey that provide it.

“Across the nation, we are witnessing attacks led by certain states that seek to undermine the equality, dignity, and safety of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially transgender and non-binary youth,” Murphy said in a statement.  “As leaders, our greatest responsibility is ensuring that every person we represent, regardless of their gender identity or gender expression, is entitled to respect, fairness, and freedom.”

“We will continue to uphold these principles in New Jersey and support every person’s right to live freely and authentically by making our state a safe haven for those seeking or providing gender-affirming health care.”

LGBTQ+ and transgender advocates hailed the order.

“When transgender youth are under attack across the country, this gives me hope,” said 16-year-old trans activist Rebekah Bruesehoff in a statement. “I have always…

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