US Hospital Halts Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapies For Trans Kids

Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH), the largest pediatric hospital in the US, has stopped providing gender-affirming hormone therapies for transgender children.

According to the Washington Post, the hospital said in a statement on March 5, “After assessing the Attorney General’s and Governor’s actions, Texas Children’s Hospital paused hormone-related prescription therapies for gender-affirming services. This step was taken to safeguard our healthcare professionals and impacted families from potential criminal legal ramifications.”

Texas AG Called Gender-Affirming Treatments Child Abuse

This move comes in the wake of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton releasing a legal opinion in which he said that gender-affirming treatments are a form of child abuse.

“There is no doubt that these procedures are ‘abuse’ under Texas law, and thus must be halted. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has a responsibility to act accordingly. I’ll do everything I can to protect against those who take advantage of and harm young Texans,” said Paxton.

Soon after, Texas Governor Greg Abbott instructed the state’s Department of Family and Protective Services to start investigating “instances of these abusive procedures in the State of Texas.”

In response to the news of TCH halting gender-affirming hormone therapies, Texas Attorney General Paxton tweeted, “Glad to hear that today Texas Children’s Hospital halted their child-abuse procedures.”

Glad to hear that today Texas Children’s Hospital halted their child-abuse procedures. https://t.co/HC9NJLrc3u

— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) March 4, 2022

Study Shows Gender-Affirming Care Helps Trans Kids

Kimberly Shappley, Texas activist and mother of a trans child, tweeted about her daughter Kai’s reaction. 

“She finally broke while washing dishes. An 11 year old sobbing hysterically from a mix of emotions over a sink full of dirty dishes. I cannot even describe the scene in words.”

Shappley continued, “We both agreed that talking to her therapist is not an option right now because we just don’t know the reach of this stupid healthcare ban and would add to the anxiety thanks to the TX Governor.”

We both agreed that talking to her therapist is not an option right now because we just don’t know the reach of this stupid healthcare ban and would add to the anxiety thanks to the TX Governor.

— Kimberly Shappley 😇 she/her (@shappleyk) March 7, 2022

This comes as a new study was released showing that access to gender-affirming care significantly cuts the risk of suicide and depression in trans kids.

If you feel distressed reading the story, you can reach out to support services.

For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14

For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.