Hundreds of protesters gathered outside NYU Langone Health on February 3,2025,in response to reports that the hospital had canceled appointments for transgender youth. The presentation,fueled by President Trump’s recent executive order labeling gender-affirming care for minors as “chemical and surgical mutilation,” drew a passionate crowd demanding accountability and continued access to essential healthcare services.
The protest was sparked by the cancellation of appointments at NYU Langone’s Transgender youth Health Program, a critical resource for many families. Paul, the father of a 16-year-old trans daughter, shared his experience: “She had been running out of her medication last month when I saw President Trump’s executive order. I promptly contacted her doctor to get some clarity before her next appointment, scheduled for late February.” His story echoed the concerns of many parents and advocates who fear the impact of these cancellations on vulnerable youth.
The executive order, issued in January 2025, has been widely criticized by LGBTQ+ advocates and medical professionals. It has led to a ripple effect across healthcare institutions,with some hospitals pausing gender-affirming care for minors.NYU Langone’s decision to cancel appointments has placed it at the center of this controversy, prompting calls for transparency and action.
Protesters carried signs with messages like “Protect Trans Youth” and “Healthcare is a Human Right,” emphasizing the urgency of the issue. Loreli Crean, a 17-year-old trans activist, addressed the crowd with a powerful statement: “Dear NYU, protect us, not your profits, sincerely a trans kid.” Her words resonated with many,highlighting the emotional toll of these policy changes on the transgender community.
The demonstration also drew attention to the broader implications of the executive order. Advocates argue that restricting access to gender-affirming care not only harms transgender youth but also sets a hazardous precedent for healthcare policy. As the debate continues, the protest at NYU Langone serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality and access to essential medical services.
Key Points at a Glance
Table of Contents
| Event | Details |
|——————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Date of Protest | February 3, 2025 |
| Location | Outside NYU langone Health, New York City |
| Trigger | cancellation of transgender youth appointments at NYU Langone |
| Executive Order | Issued by President Trump in January 2025, labeling gender-affirming care as “chemical and surgical mutilation” |
| Key Message | “Protect Trans Youth” and “Healthcare is a Human Right” |
| Notable Quote | “Dear NYU, protect us, not your profits, sincerely a trans kid.” – Loreli Crean |
The protest at NYU Langone underscores the critical need for continued advocacy and support for transgender youth. As the community rallies against these policy changes, the fight for accessible and affirming healthcare remains a top priority. For more data on the executive order and its implications, visit the official White House website. To learn more about the legal battles surrounding gender-affirming care,explore this detailed analysis.NYU Langone and Mount Sinai Cancel trans Youth Appointments Amid Federal pressure
Parents of transgender youth are facing unprecedented challenges as major healthcare institutions, including NYU Langone and Mount Sinai, reportedly cancel appointments for young trans patients. This comes in apparent response to a recent executive order by former President Donald Trump, which threatens to withhold federal funding from institutions providing gender-affirming care.
A Parent’s Desperate Plea
Paul, the father of a transgender daughter, shared his harrowing experience with NYU Langone. after a year on estrogen, his daughter’s access to medication was suddenly in jeopardy. “I reached out to them through MyChart and said,‘hey,considering this EO,I’m hoping we can get this prescription filled before the appointment. We’re obviously concerned,’” Paul recounted. The response was far from reassuring. “Her doctor made it clear this was coming down from above and she was not given much choice.But she said that they were waiting for better guidance from the institution.”
The situation grew more chaotic when the doctor initially agreed to renew prescriptions for existing patients, only to retract the offer an hour later, citing “mixed guidance.” By Thursday, yet another reversal: the prescription could be filled after all.
The Broader Impact
Paul’s story is not unique. Over the past week, parents of trans youth have been scrambling to navigate the new landscape of care. “We’re all Signal chatting, trying to figure this out,” Paul said. NYU Langone has canceled appointments for new patients and denied some longtime patients their preferred form of medication.Similarly, Mount Sinai has reportedly canceled young trans patients’ appointments.
These actions appear to be a direct response to Trump’s executive order, which threatens to cut federal funding for education and research grants to institutions providing gender-affirming care. This care, which rarely includes surgery, is supported by all major medical associations in the United States, including the American medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
A Life-Saving Intervention
For Paul’s daughter, access to hormone therapy has been transformative.“Before she came out as trans,we were having incredible behavioral issues,and she was just not herself and depressed,” Paul explained. “Coming out really started her journey to flourishing as a person. We’ve seen her flower and mature and be happy. Getting into NYU was a really crucial step in that process, and seeing that she had people who cared and were willing to help.”
However, the threat of losing access to her medication is devastating. “Being denied her meds after a year on estrogen would be catastrophic. She has pretty extreme gender dysphoria,” Paul said. If she were to experience the effects of testosterone-driven puberty, “that would put us in a position where I would greatly fear for her health and safety.”
This fear is far from abstract. Paul’s daughter knows trans people who have been driven to suicide and struggles with suicidality daily. “These are kids with supportive families who go to an incredibly supportive high school,” he emphasized.
Key points at a Glance
| issue | Details |
|——————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Executive Order | Threatens federal funding for institutions providing gender-affirming care. |
| Institutions Affected | NYU Langone, Mount Sinai. |
| Actions Taken | Canceled appointments for new and existing trans youth patients. |
| Parental Concerns | Fear of losing access to life-saving medication and care. |
| Medical Support | Gender-affirming care is endorsed by all major U.S. medical associations. |
The Road Ahead
As parents like Paul continue to advocate for their children, the future of gender-affirming care remains uncertain. The executive order has created a climate of fear and confusion,leaving families and healthcare providers in limbo.For now, paul remains hopeful but vigilant. “We’ve seen her flower and mature and be happy,” he said of his daughter. “We can’t let that be taken away.”
Call to action: If you or someone you know is affected by these changes, reach out to advocacy organizations like GLAAD for support and resources. Together, we can ensure that every young person has access to the care they need to thrive.
The Growing Anxiety Over Trans-Affirming Health Care for Youth
the recent executive orders targeting gender-affirming care have left families,patients,and medical providers in a state of uncertainty. For transgender youth and their families, access to life-saving treatments like puberty blockers and hormone therapy is now under threat, sparking fear and confusion across the country.
A Confusing Landscape
The implications of these executive orders remain unclear, creating a wave of anxiety among those directly affected. “We don’t know what to tell patients,” says a doctor who works with transgender youth and requested anonymity. “Patients are fearful of what’s going to happen. There’s a mutual sense of stress because everyone understands the intent of these executive orders is to be confusing.”
This confusion has already impacted families. One mother in the Bronx, whose son transitioned at the age of 3, was informed by his doctor at NYU Langone that he would no longer be able to receive a puberty-blocker device as planned. The hospital is interpreting the order’s ban on “surgery” to include this outpatient procedure. Rather, her son will need quarterly injections, which involve a two-hour commute every three months—a daunting prospect for a child who is afraid of needles. “I haven’t even told him yet because things feel so in flux,” she says. “This is a civil rights issue.”
The Lifesaving Impact of Gender-Affirming care
Medical professionals emphasize that gender-affirming care is not only essential but also lifesaving for transgender youth. “Gender-affirming care for pediatric and adolescent populations—it’s best-practice medical care. Full stop,” says the anonymous doctor.“The disinformation that we’re dealing with is that pediatric and young adult trans-affirming health care is a threat to transgender patients and not something that is oftentimes lifesaving and improves their quality of life and decreases adverse outcomes.”
studies have consistently shown that access to gender-affirming care substantially reduces the risk of depression,anxiety,and suicide among transgender youth. Denying this care can have devastating consequences, pushing some patients to seek unsafe alternatives.
The Rise of DIY Solutions
Since the election, doctors have reported an increase in patients expressing concerns about their medical records. Some have asked to change diagnostic codes or remove certain medications from their charts. There is also a growing fear that patients may turn to unapproved or unsafe sources for hormone therapy.
“It’s concerning that patients will seek hormones from non-licensed or non-FDA-approved sources,” the doctor explains. “People get hormones off the street. You can go online,buy things from other countries without lot numbers,without expiration dates.” this shift mirrors the legal patchwork governing abortion post-Roe v. Wade, with providers and patients alike fearing a regression to a time when best-practice medical care was inaccessible.
Families Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands
For many families, the stakes are too high to wait for clarity. J.D., a trans father of a 15-year-old trans daughter, stockpiled a year’s worth of medication after the election and has shared information with other families on how to do the same. “It’s a life-and-death issue,” he says.“There’s nothing more critically important in her life than having this care.”
Key Points at a Glance
| Issue | Impact |
|———————————-|—————————————————————————|
| Executive orders | Confusion and anxiety among patients, families, and providers. |
| Puberty Blockers | Outpatient procedures now interpreted as “surgery” and restricted. |
| DIY Hormone therapy | Patients may turn to unsafe, unapproved sources for medication. |
| Stockpiling Medication | Families preparing for potential shortages or restrictions. |
A Call to Action
The current climate underscores the urgent need for clarity and protection for transgender youth and their families. As J.D. puts it, “This is a life-and-death issue.” Advocates are calling for policymakers to prioritize the health and well-being of transgender patients, ensuring that best-practice medical care remains accessible.
For more information on the importance of gender-affirming care,visit The Trevor Project and GLAAD.
The fight for transgender rights is far from over, and the voices of those directly affected must be heard. As one mother aptly stated, “This is a civil rights issue.”
New York Clinics Respond to Executive order on Transgender Health Care for Minors
In the wake of a recent executive order targeting transgender health care for minors, New York City’s medical institutions are navigating a complex landscape of state and federal regulations. While some clinics remain noncommittal, others, like callen-Lorde and NYC Health + Hospitals, have reaffirmed their commitment to providing gender-affirming care.
Callen-Lorde Stands Firm
Callen-Lorde, a Greenwich Village-based LGBTQ+ community health center, has assured its teenage patients that it will continue to offer essential care. “Access to medically necessary transgender health care is explicitly protected in New York State,” its website states. “You are protected here in New York, and so is your care.” This declaration comes as a beacon of hope for many families who rely on the center’s services.
Mixed Responses from Other Clinics
When questioned about their plans to respond to the executive order, three major pediatric- and adolescent-gender clinics in the city offered vague or noncommittal responses. Mount Sinai stated, “We will keep you posted,” while New York-Presbyterian said, “We are working through this developing situation to comply with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.” Northwell health declined to comment altogether.
In contrast, NYC Health + Hospitals, the city’s municipal health system, responded affirmatively: “NYC Health + Hospitals continues to offer gender-affirming care, including for minors.”
A Rally for Transgender Rights
The uncertainty surrounding the executive order has sparked outrage among New Yorkers. On Monday night, families, doctors, clergy members, and activists gathered near NYU Langone for a rally in support of transgender rights.The event featured prominent speakers, including actress Cynthia Nixon, who shared that her son had undergone top surgery at NYU.
“Nothing has made me feel so good as coming around the corner today and seeing you all, standing here, fighting for transgender rights,” Nixon told the crowd.
Legal Protections in New York
Earlier that day, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a letter warning doctors to continue providing gender-affirming care in compliance with state law. Despite this,many clinics have yet to clarify their stance,leaving families in limbo.
A National Context
The executive order comes at a time when 23 states have already banned gender-affirming care for minors. NYU Langone, long celebrated as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, has become a focal point of the debate. “It’s shocking,” said one doctor. “That’s the scary part. It shouldn’t be happening here.”
Key Takeaways
| Institution | Response to Executive Order |
|—————————–|————————————————————————————————-|
| Callen-Lorde | Continues to provide care; cites state protections |
| mount Sinai | “We will keep you posted” |
| New York-Presbyterian | “Working through this developing situation” |
| Northwell Health | No comment |
| NYC Health + Hospitals | Continues to offer gender-affirming care, including for minors |
Moving Forward
As New Yorkers grapple with the implications of the executive order, the rallying cry for transgender rights grows louder. Families like J.D.’s, who described the mood in their home as “brutal” as the election, are steadfast to fight for their children’s futures.
“We are an all-queer family. I’m a trans person myself,” J.D. said. “I’m very angry and I have a lot of despair.”
For now, the commitment of institutions like Callen-Lorde and NYC Health + Hospitals offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise uncertain landscape.
Stay informed about the latest developments in transgender health care by following Callen-Lorde’s updates and NYC Health + Hospitals.Stay informed with The Cut’s daily Newsletter
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Editor: How have New York health care institutions responded to the recent executive order affecting transgender health care?
Guest: The responses have varied across institutions. For example, Callen-Lorde has affirmed its commitment to continue providing care, citing state protections as a safeguard. On the other hand, Mount sinai has been cautious, stating, “We will keep you posted,” while NYC Health + Hospitals has explicitly stated it will continue offering gender-affirming care,including for minors.
Editor: What challenges are families and individuals facing in light of this order?
Guest: Families like J.D.’s are navigating meaningful emotional turmoil. J.D., a trans person themselves, described the mood in their home as “brutal,” reflecting both anger and despair. The uncertainty has heightened concerns about access to essential health care for transgender individuals, especially minors.
Editor: What role do newsletters like The Cut’s play in keeping the public informed?
Guest: Newsletters, such as The Cut’s daily offering, are invaluable for staying updated on critical issues. They provide curated content on topics like health care,fashion,and culture,ensuring readers remain informed. By subscribing, individuals can access timely updates directly in their inbox, making it easier to stay connected amidst rapidly changing circumstances.
Editor: What can readers expect from the Cut’s newsletter?
Guest: The newsletter delivers daily content,covering news,trends,and culture.It adheres to vox Media, LLC’s Terms and Privacy Notice, ensuring user data is handled responsibly. It’s a seamless way to stay engaged and informed without having to search for updates manually.
Conclusion
In a time of uncertainty, institutions like Callen-Lorde and NYC Health + Hospitals are providing critical support for transgender health care. Families are rallying to protect their rights, and resources like The Cut’s newsletter are helping the public stay informed. Together, these efforts offer hope and guidance as we navigate these challenging times.
