Families of Colorado Transgender Children Struggle with Lost Care in Wake of Trump Order
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/families-of-colorado-transgender-children-struggle-with-lost-care-in-wake-of-trump-order/ar-AA1yLpyY?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=7fd7c5e88e1f499e843535136132367a&ei=6
Story by Lindsey Toomer (10 Feb 2025)
Williams and her family moved to Denver from Kentucky in 2023 so her daughter could access hormone replacement therapy, and they've gone to Children's Hospital Colorado since she was 16 years old.
Williams said she received a message from the hospital this week notifying her they can no longer provide gender-affirming care to anyone under 19 years old.
"She's really been struggling a lot lately," Williams said. "The last two weeks have been really rough, and then getting the notification that her care is going to be possibly suspended or delayed has been a really big blow to her."
"Denver Health is committed to and deeply concerned for the health and safety of our gender diverse patients under the age of 19 in light of the executive order regarding youth gender-affirming care," the statement says. "We recognize this order will impact gender-diverse youth, including increased risk of depression, anxiety and suicidality."
Shelby Wieman, a spokesperson for Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, said the governor wants to ensure "every Coloradan can access the healthcare they need, no matter who they are or how they identify."
"We are continuing to evaluate Trump's executive order, which blatantly attacks members of the LGBTQ community, to understand its impact in Colorado and how people can continue to get access to needed care," Wieman said in a statement.