In a time when anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is proliferating across the United States, targeting everything from gender-affirming care to inclusive science education, many physicians are facing a new ethical frontier. More than ever, the duty to protect patient health extends beyond the clinic walls. When policy threatens the well-being of entire communities, an inclusive and affirming exam room is no longer enough. It is time for doctors to speak up and speak out.

Physicians are among the most trusted voices in American society. Their authority, backed by clinical expertise and public service, carries immense weight with legislators and the public alike. Yet many doctors remain unsure how—or whether—to engage politically. Some worry about professional boundaries; others simply do not know where to start.

This moment demands clarity and action. Across the country, bills are being introduced that limit access to gender-affirming care, ban inclusive sex education, and suppress research on LGBTQ+ health outcomes. These are not abstract political debates. They are legislative decisions that directly harm patients—especially transgender youth—and ignoring them, or acquiescing to them, undermines the physician’s core commitment to do no harm.

So how can doctors get involved?

• Testify and speak at hearings. Legislative bodies frequently hold public hearings on proposed bills. Physicians can offer compelling testimony about the real-world consequences of anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Bringing clinical experience into these forums humanizes the impact of abstract policies and can sway undecided lawmakers who might prioritize professional authority over lived patient experiences.
• Call and meet with your elected officials. You do not need to be a political expert to be effective. A simple, heartfelt call or a scheduled visit with your state representative can make a difference. Explain how pending legislation will affect your patients and your ability to provide care. Humanize the people this legislation will harm.
• Take on leadership roles in advocacy organizations. Professional associations like the American Academy of Pediatrics or local medical societies often have policy arms. Joining their advocacy committees or leadership boards allows you to shape official stances and guide collective action.
• Use media strategically. Writing op-eds, doing interviews, or speaking at press conferences can amplify your voice. Media coverage helps counteract misinformation and shows your patients that you are willing to stand up for them publicly.
• Organize your peers. Sometimes the most powerful actions take place quietly and behind the scenes. Talk to your colleagues. Organize to support each other in actions focused on equity or inclusion. Mobilize your institutions to back you when you decide to take a public stand.

You do not have to do this alone. There are already models to follow. In Texas in 2023, pediatrician testimony helped halt legislation that would have criminalized gender-affirming care. And the same year in Arkansas, doctors organized through their medical associations to push back on a youth care ban. Across the country and for several years, queer and allied physicians have been forming collectives to respond rapidly to political threats. This is an ongoing battle, and we need medical professionals to bring their expertise to the front lines.

Advocacy does not compromise medical ethics—it fulfills them. Silence in the face of harm is complicity. As trusted professionals, doctors have a unique power and responsibility to defend their patients not just with medicine against disease and ill-health, but with their voices against those seeking to take care away from us.

As anti-LGBTQ+ legislation continues to spread, let this be a turning point. The medical profession must meet the moment, not with neutrality, but with strength and courage.

Your patients are listening. So are lawmakers. Let them hear you fight.

BJ Ferguson is an LGBTQ+ journalist covering the intersections of health, science, technology, and identity. With over a decade of experience reporting for national and international publications—including Yahoo!, Esquire, and Elemental—they are passionate about bridging gaps between professionals and the communities they serve by highlighting underreported challenges and solutions. Ferguson is the founder of Well Beings News, a queer and trans health and wellness newsletter designed for practitioners, providers, and professionals committed to improving LGBTQ+ care through evidence-based insights and inclusive practices. You can find more of their work at their portfolio website, bjthehetheygay.ca, or follow both BJ and Well Beings News on Bluesky.