I have many dear friends in the trans community. It pains me to see them targeted so cruelly and brutally. Therefore, it’s painful to read headlines like this one:
Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital In WA Shuts Down Youth Gender Clinic Amidst Federal Funding Threat
What’s particularly hard is that this is preventative capitulation. The Trump administration has made a lot of noise about cancelling these programs, but “the Trump regime has yet to actually make good on its threat of successfully withdrawing Medicaid and Medicare funding from a hospital for providing gender-affirming care.” This care is life-saving, starting with “60% lower odds of moderate to severe depression and a 73% lower odds of self-harm or suicidal thoughts” (Exhibit A: Together, we can make health care inclusive for trans youth).
I hope institutions like Mary Bridge can see that pre-emptive capitulation doesn’t serve the interests of those they serve. And medical professionals should also keep in mind the precept of “first do no harm”.
Let’s not give up the fight before it starts.
