US hospitals are abandoning trans youth, but one is standing firm
Boston Children’s Hospital is staying committed to gender-affirming care for trans youth. (Getty)
Boston Children's Hospital is staying committed to gender-affirming care for trans youth. (Getty)
A children’s hospital in the US has vowed to continue providing healthcare for trans youngsters, despite pressure from the government.
While several hospitals across the US have stopped treatment, Boston Children’s has refused to close its gender service programme for trans youngsters.
In statement reported by LGBTQ+ Nation, a spokesperson said the hospital “has always been and always will be” committed to providing care for all patients, including transgender youngsters. .
“The belief that all children deserve the opportunity to live, grow and thrive with love and support is foundational to who we are and what we do,” the spokesperson went on to say.
“We believe in a gender-affirmative model of care, which supports transgender and gender-diverse youth in the gender in which they identify. This is a standard of care grounded in scientific evidence, demonstrating its benefits to the health and well-being of transgender and gender-diverse youth.”
The spokesperson also voiced Boston Children’s Hospital’s disapproval of anti-trans bills in a number of states, many of which target trans healthcare.
“The proposed bans on medical care, sports participation and other legislation aiming to restrict the rights of transgender and gender-diverse youth are in direct opposition to our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusivity, as well as the standard of care that we live by,” the statement read.
“We are here to affirm, uplift and advocate for transgender and gender-diverse youth and we remain committed to doing all we can to support their care and well-being.”
In 2022, the hospital faced a bomb threat amid a right-wing backlash.
Boston Children’s Hospital’s commitment to trans healthcare comes in the face of the Department of Justice, Health and Human Services threatening medical providers and professionals who provide forms of trans healthcare for under-18s with “dire consequences”.
Children’s National Hospital, in Washington DC, cited “escalating legal and regulatory risks” when announcing last month that prescriptions for gender-affirming medication would cease by the end of August.
Studies have suggested that banning medically appropriate forms of gender-affirming care can cause “extensive harm” to trans youngsters.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
