FTC and States Sue WPATH for Deceptive Practices

June 17, 2026 – Today the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and four states filed a lawsuit against the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), alleging that WPATH violated the Federal Trade Commission Act and several states’ laws by furnishing deceptive information concerning medical sex transition services for children to financially benefit WPATH members. The plaintiffs claim that WPATH’s alleged misrepresentations harmed the children who received the transition services. Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska and Texas are the four states who joined the FTC in filing suit. 

The plaintiffs claim that WPATH misrepresents to parents, patients and medical professionals that its Standards of Care for transitions are based on high-quality scientific evidence. Also, the suit claims that WPATH wrongly touts the transitions as being medically necessary. The suit also claims that WPATH removed age limitations on several procedures thereby increasing the pool of possible patients, so to financially benefit WPATH members who provide the medical services.