In one of the most urgent and emotional debates shaping America today, gender-affirming healthcare stands at the crossroads of medicine, politics, and civil rights.

In this episode of Voice of America: Hard News, we go beyond the headlines to uncover what gender-affirming care truly is — and what it isn’t.

We’ll break down the facts behind medical treatments, explore how a patchwork of state laws is reshaping access to care, and hear firsthand from doctors, patients, and parents navigating a rapidly shifting legal landscape.

Why has gender-affirming care become such a political flashpoint? What are the real human costs of these policy battles? And what does the future hold for transgender Americans seeking life-saving care?

Join us for a powerful, fact-driven, and compassionate deep dive into one of the most defining civil rights issues of our time.