# WPATH legal challenge regarding gender-affirming care > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/wpath-legal-challenge-regarding-gender-affirming-care > Updated: 2026-08-21T03:39:31.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is facing a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and four state attorneys general in Texas. The lawsuit alleges that WPATH engaged in deceptive practices by promoting gender-affirming care that may cause harm, specifically regarding minors who cannot provide informed consent. The FTC contends that WPATH’s guidelines misled consumers about the necessity and safety of these treatments to secure insurance coverage. In legal motions to dismiss the case, WPATH has characterized its Standards of Care (SOC-8) as “opinion” or “statements of opinion” rather than settled science. The association argues these recommendations are protected speech under the First Amendment due to “medical and scientific uncertainty.” This legal stance has drawn criticism. Observers suggest that by conceding scientific uncertainty, WPATH may provide insurers with grounds to deny claims for treatments such as puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries. Additionally, legal experts have noted that this position appears to contradict previous arguments made by WPATH before the Supreme Court regarding state bans on gender-affirming care. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-21: WPATH labels gender transition guidelines for minors as ‘statements of opinion’ WPATH has labeled its SOC-8 guidelines for minors as ‘statements of opinion’ in a legal effort to dismiss an FTC lawsuit, a move critics say could impact insurance coverage for gender-affirming care. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wpath-labels-gender-transition-guidelines-for-minors-as-statements-of-opinion ### 2026-08-11: WPATH labels Standards of Care as “opinion” in FTC lawsuit WPATH has argued in court that its Standards of Care are protected “opinion” rather than objective fact, responding to an FTC lawsuit alleging deceptive practices regarding gender-affirming care. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wpath-labels-standards-of-care-as-opinion-in-ftc-lawsuit --- Cite as: WPATH legal challenge regarding gender-affirming care. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/wpath-legal-challenge-regarding-gender-affirming-care