Alaska Family Council applauds Governor Mike Dunleavy and acting Alaska Attorney General Cori Mills for joining a landmark lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission against the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), the organization whose standards have heavily influenced the medicalization of children struggling with gender dysphoria for more than a decade.

The lawsuit alleges that WPATH made deceptive claims about the benefits and risks of so-called “gender-affirming care” for minors, including claims related to suicide prevention and long-term outcomes. The FTC, joined by Alaska, Texas, Iowa, and Nebraska, argues that families, medical professionals, and policymakers were misled regarding the evidence supporting puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and other interventions for children.

For years, Alaska Family Council has sounded the alarm about the irreversible harm that can result when vulnerable children are placed on a pathway toward lifelong medicalization. We have consistently called for transparency, parental involvement, and a careful review of the evidence behind these treatments. Recent developments across the United States and internationally have raised serious questions about whether activist ideology has outpaced sound medical science.

The stakes could not be higher. When it comes to our children, Alaska must always choose truth over activism and protection over experimentation.

Governor Dunleavy deserves credit for standing with parents and children rather than powerful medical organizations and activist groups.

Encouragingly, the Alaska State Medical Board has voted unanimously two times to address this matter. Once in March of 2025, recommending that the Alaska State Legislature pass measures to protect minors from gender-denying care. And again, in August of 2025, to propose actual regulatory language to the Department of Law. This issue now waits for Governor Dunleavy to ask the Attorney General to release those regulations, after they are modified as needed, back to the Alaska State Medical Board where there will be public comments before a final vote. 

With the State of Alaska joining this lawsuit, it’s obvious Dunleavy gets it. Now they need to get those regulations back to the State Medical Board to solidify our State’s resolve to protect children.

This lawsuit is not about politics. It is about truth, accountability, and protecting children. Parents deserve accurate information. Medical professionals deserve honest science. And children deserve care that does no harm.

Alaska Family Council is grateful that Alaska is helping lead the nation on this issue. We will continue advocating for policies that protect children, uphold parental rights, and ensure that medical decisions are guided by evidence rather than ideology.

The stakes could not be higher. When it comes to our children, Alaska must always choose truth over activism and protection over experimentation.

In the lawsuit, Alaska Acting Attorney General Cori Mills said: “Our laws demand real transparency and full disclosure of risks—whether it’s a defective product that harmed consumers or powerful drugs like opioids. This is especially vital for irreversible treatments with lifelong consequences, and it must be held to the highest standard when minors are involved. Unfortunately, as alleged in the complaint, WPATH failed that test by prioritizing ideology over sound science, downplaying serious long-term harms. They must be held accountable like we have held countless other companies and organizations accountable when they fail to follow the laws that protect consumers.”

The views expressed here are those of the author.

Click here to support the Alaska Watchman.