A conservative watchdog group is taking legal action against federal agencies, claiming they are withholding important data from a government-funded study on puberty blockers for transgender youth. The American Accountability Foundation (AAF) filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), alleging that the data could challenge the effectiveness of these treatments.
The controversy began after researcher Johanna Olson-Kennedy admitted in an interview with The New York Times that the findings of her study could undermine support for using puberty blockers in children. She acknowledged that the data did not show improved mental health outcomes for those who received the treatment. This admission raised concerns among critics of transgender therapies, prompting the AAF to request the data.
In response to the AAF’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, the NIH provided some records but heavily redacted them, obscuring key information. The lawsuit claims that the NIH’s response was incomplete and lacked justification for the redactions. The AAF argues that the withheld information includes the names of researchers, their backgrounds, and details about the children involved in the study.
Tom Jones, president of the AAF, expressed frustration over the situation. He stated that HHS has been hiding crucial information for over a year and accused the agency of prioritizing political interests over scientific integrity. He believes that the public deserves access to the full data to form their own conclusions about the effectiveness of transgender therapies.
The AAF’s legal battle highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the treatment of transgender youth. While some advocate for the use of puberty blockers as a means to support gender identity, critics argue that the long-term effects are not well understood and that the data should be transparent for independent analysis.
Jones filed an appeal regarding the redactions in January 2025, but he claims that the issue remains unresolved. The AAF insists that HHS and the NIH have violated federal records laws by not adequately responding to their request for information.
As this legal dispute unfolds, the debate over the use of puberty blockers continues to be a contentious issue, with strong opinions on both sides. The AAF is determined to uncover what they believe is being hidden from the public, aiming to shed light on the science behind transgender treatments for youth.
