Age Discrepancies Highlighted in Public Discourse on Gender-Affirming Care and Hotel Rentals

A recent tweet by Erika Sanzi, a writer and activist focusing on gender identity and education, has drawn attention to perceived age disparities between access to gender-affirming surgical procedures and the ability to rent a hotel room in the United States. Sanzi, who is the Director of Outreach for Parents Defending Education and a Senior Fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum, stated on social media: > "You can have your penis cut off by a doctor before you can rent a hotel room."

The assertion points to a complex landscape of age requirements across medical and commercial sectors. Gender-affirming surgeries, particularly those involving genital reconstruction, are almost exclusively performed on adults, typically aged 18 or older, following extensive psychological evaluation and a period of hormone therapy. While some chest surgeries (mastectomies) are performed on minors, usually between 15 and 17 years old, these cases are rare and require rigorous medical and mental health assessments, along with parental consent.

Conversely, the minimum age to rent a hotel room in the United States is generally 18, as this is the legal age of majority for entering into contracts in most states. However, many hotels, particularly in popular tourist destinations or those with amenities like minibars, often raise their minimum check-in age to 21. This practice is primarily driven by liability concerns, as minors cannot legally be held responsible for contracts or damages.

The legal framework surrounding gender-affirming care for minors has become a contentious issue. As of December 2024, 26 states have enacted laws restricting or banning access to gender-affirming medical care for individuals under 18, including hormone therapy and surgeries. These legislative actions often face legal challenges, with the U.S. Supreme Court currently reviewing the constitutionality of such bans.

Medical organizations, including the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and the American Academy of Pediatrics, generally support age-appropriate gender-affirming care, emphasizing individualized assessment and parental involvement. However, they typically recommend surgical interventions only after careful consideration and usually not before adulthood, with the rare exception of chest surgeries for older adolescents under strict guidelines. The comparison drawn by Sanzi highlights ongoing public debate regarding youth autonomy, medical ethics, and differing age-based regulations in American society.