AFT Endorses Gender-Affirming Care, Citing Health Equity at Annual Convention

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the nation’s second-largest teachers union, has formally endorsed gender-affirming care in a resolution passed at its annual convention, a move that has drawn renewed scrutiny over the union’s political influence and its stance on transgender medical interventions.

The endorsement highlights a growing national divide over the role of gender-related medical treatments in schools and politics. Critics have questioned the evidence supporting such care, as well as the union’s close ties to Democratic campaigns and progressive causes.

AFT delegates, representing 1.8 million members, approved the resolution titled “Protecting Medical Research, Healthcare Access and Health Equity for LGBTQIA+ Communities” during the convention, which took place July 16-19. The resolution pledges support for policies that "protect and expand access to affordable, evidence-based healthcare, including … gender-affirming care," and commits the union to backing legal advocacy efforts for such access, according to the official AFT resolution text.

Details of the AFT Resolution

The resolution specifically condemns the administration of former President Donald Trump for what it describes as attacks on "evidence-based healthcare and scientific inquiry" related to LGBTQ+ issues. It calls for continued public investment in medical research and explicitly supports expanding access to gender-affirming care, which the union frames as part of broader health equity efforts for LGBTQIA+ communities.

AFT’s convention also featured prominent Democratic speakers and saw the passage of 38 resolutions on a range of issues, according to an AFT press release. The union’s leadership has emphasized that supporting gender-affirming care is consistent with its commitment to health equity and the well-being of all students and educators.

Political Funding and Influence

The AFT’s political action committee has contributed heavily to Democratic candidates and left-leaning organizations. Public records reviewed by the group Defending Education show the union gave $500,000 to Democrat Abigail Spanberger’s 2025 gubernatorial campaign in Virginia. Between 2017 and 2025, AFT contributed $525,000 to the Center for American Progress and $335,000 to its political arm. Additional donations include $321,500 to the New Venture Fund and $983,000 to the Sixteen Thirty Fund, both described as dark money groups supporting progressive causes.

Scott Walter, president of the Capital Research Center, criticized the union’s endorsement, stating, "Because the AFT is effectively just a branch—a wealthy branch—of the Democratic Party, the union’s latest endorsement of so-called gender-affirming care means the party will almost certainly maintain its rigid support for transgender ideology, even if that threatens both children’s health and the party’s electoral chances."

"Because the AFT is effectively just a branch—a wealthy branch—of the Democratic Party, the union’s latest endorsement of so-called gender-affirming care means the party will almost certainly maintain its rigid support for transgender ideology, even if that threatens both children’s health and the party’s electoral chances."

— Scott Walter, president, Capital Research Center

The union’s financial support for Democratic candidates and progressive organizations has been a point of contention for critics, who argue that such funding influences the union’s policy positions and priorities. Supporters, however, contend that the union’s advocacy reflects the interests of its diverse membership and the communities it serves.

Ongoing Debate Over Transgender Medicine

The AFT’s endorsement comes amid heightened debate over the safety and efficacy of gender-affirming care, especially for minors. The Department of Health and Human Services published a peer-reviewed study last year finding little evidence for positive impacts from sex-rejecting procedures for minors. Other studies have raised concerns about potential harms, including increased cancer risks and higher rates of suicidal thoughts.

Recent legal developments have further fueled the debate. In February, a jury awarded $2 million to a detransitioner in a medical malpractice case, and in January, another detransitioner reportedly reached a settlement in a similar claim. Some hospitals have also distanced themselves from the Human Rights Campaign, a group that rates medical providers on LGBTQ+ issues, reflecting the ongoing controversy within the medical community.

The Daily Signal reported that it reached out to the American Federation of Teachers, the Democratic National Committee, the Center for American Progress, New Venture Fund, and Sixteen Thirty Fund for comment but did not receive responses by publication time. The AFT’s resolution itself frames gender-affirming care as evidence-based and necessary for health equity, but critics continue to dispute the scientific consensus and raise concerns about the long-term effects of such interventions.

The debate over gender-affirming care is likely to continue as policymakers, educators, and medical professionals grapple with questions about access, safety, and the role of schools in supporting transgender students. The AFT’s endorsement signals a commitment to advocacy on behalf of LGBTQIA+ communities, but also ensures the issue will remain at the forefront of political and educational discussions in the months ahead.