The ill-informed, misogynistic, homophobic, and transphobic policies of the federal government are damaging — even life-threatening — to people and friends we love and need in our lives.

Gender-affirming care is medically necessary and must be covered by all health insurance providers so that transgender people like me can afford to receive the care that we need.

Lack of gender-affirming care would have been a death sentence for our child. His care matters. And he is the most amazing young man that anyone could have the privilege of knowing.

My 18-year-old transgender daughter is able to contribute positively to our family, her friends, her school, and the wider community because of the love and support she's received.

It wasn’t until our son received gender-affirming care that we saw a real, profound transformation. Social transition offered some relief, but comprehensive, professional support allowed him to truly thrive.

I would not be here writing this if it wasn’t for the availability of gender-affirming healthcare. Now I live at peace with myself and have never been happier.

I can’t imagine how devastating it would be for me, my trans friends, or the trans young people in New Jersey to lose access to their healthcare.

Knowing that I have doctors I can rely on, and a state that cares about me and my family, has allowed me to build my life the way I wanted, with a family and a home and a good career.

Without hyperbole, I say that my daughter was a different child almost immediately after beginning estrogen and that gender-affirming care saved her life.