Candidates outline contrasting views on transgender policies ahead of 2024 election

Republican groups are spending heavily on anti-transgender ads ahead of the 2024 election, despite polls showing these issues are not top voter concerns. LGBTQ advocates worry this campaign will increase discrimination against transgender individuals, who represent less than 1% of the U.S. adult population. Donald Trump's campaign promises to restrict transgender care in prisons and limit participation in sports. In contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris supports the Equality Act and has stated she will follow existing laws regarding transgender care, highlighting that such care was available under Trump’s administration based on medical necessity. Trump has made unverified claims about transgender surgeries for minors and participation in sports, while studies show that gender-affirming surgeries for minors are rare and require parental consent. Harris emphasizes that decisions about care should be made by doctors based on individual needs.