“The FTC heard testimony from doctors, medical ethicists, whistleblowers, detransitioners, and parents of detransitioners. That testimony indicated that practitioners of ‘gender-affirming care’ may be actively deceiving consumers.” – Federal Trade Commission
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has opened a public comment period following its July workshop exposing the serious risks and false claims regarding so-called “gender-affirming care” and its harmful effects on minors. Independent Women launched the Protect Minors from “Gender-Affirming” Abuse comment drive to mobilize the public to tell their personal stories of harm and demand the FTC to crack down on the deceptive medical practices targeting children. The deadline to submit comments is September 26, 2025.
“It’s well past time to call this so-called ‘gender-affirming care’ out for what it actually is: a lie,” the Independent Women campaign states. “Our most vulnerable Americans—our children—deserve better.”
The FTC’s request for public comment and investigation regarding “gender-affirming care” comes in the wake of its July 9 workshop, “The Dangers of Gender-Affirming Care for Minors,” which underscored the urgent need for oversight. The session also highlighted the significance of President Trump’s week-one executive order to end chemical and surgical mutilation of minors and restrict federal funding resources from being used to support such procedures. The FTC is now seeking personal testimonies from minors, parents, and others who may have been misled by false or incomplete claims about these interventions and assessing the harm as a result.
Testimony presented at the workshop, according to the FTC, “indicated that practitioners of ‘gender-affirming care’ may be actively deceiving consumers.”
At the workshop, Independent Women Ambassador Prisha Mosley shared her story alongside medical professionals, whistleblowers, and fellow detransitioners —including Soren Aldaco, Claire Abernathy, Cat Cattinson, Chloe Cole, and Miriam Grossman, MD—who have been featured in “Identity Crisis,” the exclusive docu-series produced by Independent Women Features (IW Features), the grassroots storytelling and journalism arm of Independent Women.
“Last month, the FTC heard stories of real harm, abuse, and especially fraud. We didn’t just share our stories, we told leaders in the Trump administration the ways in which we were hurt and deceived, and we asked for them to hold those responsible accountable. The voices of detransitioners, concerned parents, and caring clinicians were heard by Chairman Ferguson and the administration,” said Prisha Mosley. “I am thankful for their leadership and swift action in launching a public comment window for those who have been deeply affected by the deception and fraud associated with medical transition.”
Mosley added, “Independent Women’s FTC comment drive will ensure every voice impacted by these fraudulent practices is heard. I urge anyone who has been harmed like I have to speak out and share their story through this comment drive.”
Mosley, who was a mentally ill teen betrayed by health professionals who recommended testosterone and “top surgery,” detailed her harrowing experience to IW Features. Just a couple of years later, Mosley shared her difficult and unexpected pregnancy journey, where she found herself the subject of yet another medical experiment. Stories such as those experienced by Mosley will have a profound impact on the FTC’s investigation.
Beth Parlato, Independent Women’s Law Center senior legal advisor, said: “The testimonies heard by the FTC confirm what many have been sounding the alarm about for years: vulnerable minors are being subjected to life-altering medical interventions without evidence, transparency, or disclosure of the irreversible risks. This is not informed consent, it’s deception. Children must be protected from misleading claims and pressure-filled tactics that prioritize ideology. The FTC has a mandate to protect consumers, especially vulnerable minors, from deceptive and misleading claims. We cannot remain silent in the face of such deception. Independent Women’s comment drive gives the public a powerful opportunity to speak out against the exploitation of America’s children.”
Independent Women’s Protect Minors from “Gender-Affirming” Abuse comment drive is open through September 26, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. All submitted comments will be sent directly to the FTC regulations.gov docket [FTC-2025-0264].
Click here to view and take action on this regulatory comment drive.
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