“It’s a very important and positive ruling to increase people’s access to gender-affirming care.”

Executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, regarding a ruling from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that found that gender dysphoria is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, which would help stop conservative efforts to restrict gender-affirming care. The ruling is binding for the states covered by the Richmond-based court, which are Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. (Associated Press — Aug. 24, 2022)