Attorney General William Tong announced Friday that Connecticut has joined a multistate lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's efforts to restrict access to necessary health care for transgender, intersex and nonbinary youth.

In a statement, Tong said the lawsuit is in response to executive orders that "deter providers from offering medically appropriate care to individuals under age 19," even though the care is legal and protected in Connecticut.

Earlier this month, Connecticut Children's Hospital and Yale New Haven Health said they would scale back their gender-affirming care services after the Justice Department threatened hospitals with fines and criminal penalties.

"Yale New Haven Health's decision to cease medical treatment sends a message that people like my daughter and transgender people do not deserve the same standard of care and support as others. It sends the message that they don't matter," said Heather Page, of Bethel.

The lawsuit described those threats as an overstep by the administration.