'3 Generations' Raises A Big Question

Depending on your state, there are requirements to meet before undergoing hormone therapy. In the new movie 3 Generations, we see one of these requirements played out where a transgender teen named Ray, played by Elle Fanning, wants to start taking hormones. Yet because his parents have long divorced and his dad is out of the picture, this isn't a simple process; he needs both parents' signatures on the forms allowing him to start testosterone, and his father, once located, is reluctant to provide his. But in real life, do you really have to get both parents' consent to start hormones?

3 Generations is set in New York City, and according to Planned Parenthood and NYC.gov, there are 18+ as well as underage youth services in the state that provide hormonal care. According to a document published by the New York Department of Health in 1989, "Any person who is 18 years of age or older, or is the parent of a child or has married, may give effective consent for medical, dental, health and hospital services for himself or herself, and the consent of no other person shall be necessary." In 3 Generations, however, Ray is unable to start taking hormones until both parents sign off on the forms.

Perhaps this was the case for real teens in the past, but as of September 2016, a proposal was made by The New York Department of Health to extend this coverage to minors, according to The New York Times:

“The proposed changes therefore would make Medicaid coverage of transgender care and services available, regardless of an individual’s age, when such care and services are medically necessary to treat the individual’s gender dysphoria.”

So although Ray's situation might've happened to real teens in the past, thankfully, trans youth in New York today might avoid that obstacle.