Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says shes pushing for national protections for transgender youth amid sweeping efforts to limit or ban gender-affirming care across the United States.During a visit to the San Francisco VA Medical Center on Aug. 7, Pelosi toured new research facilities and discussed threats to veterans services under current GOP proposals. But her comments about transgender healthcare quickly took center stage.Speaking with reporters, Pelosi was asked about the increasing number of healthcare providers in California that have paused gender-affirming treatments for minors.That is something Im working for at the national level, she said. We are hoping we can have gender-affirming care for our trans kids. Its a sad thing for us I dont know what effect we can have nationally with what we have going on in the White House and in Congress.Pelosi, 85, added that she flies a transgender pride flag outside her office and noted that several of her colleagues do the same. She called the situation for trans youth really sad, acknowledging the political roadblocks in place.Mounting Legal and Political PressurePelosis remarks align with a broader Democratic-led legal challenge against the Trump administration. A coalition of 17 states and Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit in July to block new federal restrictions on gender-affirming care for people under 19.The complaint challenges former President Donald Trumps January executive order that threatens providers offering gender-affirming treatments with criminal investigations and cuts to federal funding.The order, along with memos from Attorney General Pam Bondi and Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate, directs the Department of Justice to prioritize action against doctors and hospitals involved in trans healthcare for minors.Pelosis office later confirmed that her comments were in reference to this lawsuit.Healthcare Providers Respond to PressureSeveral major hospitals have responded to the federal crackdown by halting or scaling back their services for trans youth.Kaiser Permanente announced it would pause gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19 starting Aug. 29. Childrens Hospital Los Angeles closed its Center for Trans Youth Health and Development, the countrys largest such clinic, earlier this summer.Childrens National Hospital in Washington, D.C., also announced it would no longer provide gender-related medical interventions for minors.Where the Bans StandWhile not all states have banned gender-affirming care, more than half have introduced restrictions. According to the Human Rights Campaign, as of July 2025, over 40 percent of trans youth aged 13 to 17 live in states where such care is banned or severely limited.In some states, public funds are also restricted from being used for trans healthcare, making access even harder for lower-income families.Meanwhile, states involved in the lawsuit, California, New York, Illinois, and others, have laws that protect access to gender-affirming care. Still, federal interference looms.Pelosis Legacy on LGBTQ+ RightsPelosi has long positioned herself as an advocate for LGBTQ+ Americans. She has spoken openly about losing friends during the HIV/AIDS crisis due to her support of queer rights and has called out anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric from the far-right as recently as this year.Despite the political headwinds, she remains steadfast in her call for national safeguards.Whatever we can do to protect these kids, well keep doing it, Pelosi said.Source