gender-affirming care

American  

[jen-der uh-fur-ming kair] / ˈdʒɛn dər əˈfɜr mɪŋ ˈkɛər /

noun

1. medical, social, and psychological approaches and therapies that aim to affirm a transgender patient's identity or align their physical characteristics more closely with their gender: Many transgender Americans struggle to access gender-affirming care in their own city.

   The research team included experts in endocrinology, urology, and gender-affirming care.

   Many transgender Americans struggle to access gender-affirming care in their own city.

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Etymology

Origin of gender-affirming care

First recorded in 2005–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gender-affirming care

Starting a year ago, the court itself began to employ the term biological sex in equal-protection decisions in which transgender claimants challenged laws imposing requirements for gender-affirming care, passport identification, and participation in sports.

From Slate ● Aug. 7, 2026

The reason behind treating her differently was that she had begun gender-affirming care that included both puberty blockers and hormone therapy starting when she was 10 years old.

From Slate ● Jun. 30, 2026

They also demanded that the company cover abortion and gender-affirming care in its health plans, which the company already did.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 21, 2026

It marks the first known time the DOJ has sought such information on gender-affirming care for a criminal probe.

From Salon ● May 22, 2026

Several speakers said the continued sharing of surveillance data undercuts the city’s promise as a haven for immigrants, those seeking gender-affirming care and other vulnerable groups.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2026