Protesters rally against closure of largest gender-affirming care center for kid

Jessica_Rose · **Yesterday** at 02:05:32 PM

Protesters rally against closure of largest gender-affirming care center for kids in the US

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/protesters-rally-against-closure-of-largest-gender-affirming-care-center-for-kids-in-the-us/ar-AA1Iesk8?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=3aea54121eb6496da17a13d8acf2e697&ei=73

Story by ANNA FURMAN (8 July 2025)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Growing up, Sage Sol Pitchenik wanted to hide.

When therapy didn't help, Pitchenik, who uses the pronoun they, started going to the Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, the country's biggest public provider of gender-affirming care for children and teens. It changed their life.

But in response to the Trump administration's threat to cut federal funds to places that offer gender-affirming care to minors, the center will be closing its doors July 22. Pitchenik has been among the scores of protesters who have demonstrated regularly outside the hospital to keep it open.

"Trans kids are done being quiet. Trans kids are done being polite, and trans kids are done begging for the bare minimum, begging for the chance to grow up, to have a future, to be loved by others when sometimes we can't even love ourselves," Pitchenik said, prompting cheers from dozens of protesters during a recent demonstration.

In operation for three decades, the facility is among the longest-running trans youth centers in the country and has served thousands of young people on public insurance.

Patients who haven't gone through puberty yet receive counseling, which continues throughout the care process. For some patients, the next step is puberty blockers; for others, it's also hormone replacement therapy. Surgeries are rarely offered to minors.

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Protesters rally against closure of largest gender-affirming care center for kid

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