Trans rights activists protest at Mount Sinai after hospital ends gender-affirming care for youth
Fuming transgender rights activists descended upon East Harlem’s Mount Sinai Hospital on Sept. 8 after the medical center announced it would no longer be providing gender-affirming care for youth. Protesters did not mince words when it came to the hospital’s decision to stop providing services to youth in the transgender community; in fact, they railed … Read More
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Fuming transgender rights activists descended upon East Harlem’s Mount Sinai Hospital on Sept. 8 after the medical center announced it would no longer be providing gender-affirming care for youth.
Protesters did not mince words when it came to the hospital's decision to stop providing services to youth in the transgender community; in fact, they railed that it was a clear tactic to “bend the knee” to the Trump administration in an effort to secure further funding. Yet those negatively affected by the move say a lack of access to gender-affirming care could cause serious mental health concerns, even suicide for some.
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A parent of a trans child speaks out at the demonstration.Donna Aceto[/caption]
According to Sam, a 17-year-old transgender boy, access to this kind of medical treatment gave him hope for his life and prevented him from spiraling into a dangerous depression.
“If 12-year-old me didn't have the hope of one day being able to receive gender affirming care as a youth through Mount Sinai's gender-affirming care program, I wouldn't be standing here telling you my story today. Gender-affirming care saves lives, it saved my life,” Sam said. “Please, Mount Sinai, do what's right and protect trans youth. Please don't take our lifeline away.”
Mount Sinai did not respond to a request for comment.
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According to Sam, a 17-year-old trans boy, access to this kind of medical treatment gave him hope for his life and prevented him from spiraling into a dangerous depression. Photo by Dean Moses[/caption]
According to several other trans youth members, the hospital had been quietly discontinuing care for young trans individuals for more than a year. The teens say they had been attempting to set up medical appointments since 2015 but instead hit a brick wall of either being ignored outright or promised a callback that never came.
Yet when they turned 18, they told amNewYork that they were suddenly accepted to the program.
Demonstrators on Tuesday evening carried signs and chanted from megaphones, pleading with the hospital to reconsider its stance. Some even wept. Members of the transgender community shared their stories and even took their hormone treatment on the street in protest.
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Sending a message to Mount Sinai and the Department of Justice.Donna Aceto[/caption]
Parents also expressed concern for their children’s well-being. Angelica Jadunandan moved to the Big Apple from Florida several years ago and says her daughter came out as trans when she was four years old. Although she said she hoped that her daughter would not need gender-affirming care, she said she would do anything to make her happy.
“I was raised in a conservative Christian house. I did not know a lot about transgender people, so I did what I always do. I read, and I bought the books, and I joined the groups. And what I learned was so simple: That trans kids have better outcomes when they are loved and supported,” Jadunandan said. “To Mount Sinai and all of the spineless cowards who have bent the knee to the clowns in charge, the boot you lick today will stomp on you tomorrow.”
[caption id="attachment_137868327" align="aligncenter" width="701"]
Members of the transgender community shared their stories and even took their hormone treatment on the street in protest.Photo by Dean Moses[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_64923" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
Taylor Brown, the director of the Mayor's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.Donna Aceto[/caption]
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Qween Amor looks up at Mount Sinai to call out the hospital.Donna Aceto[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_64927" align="aligncenter" width="467"]
Spreading awareness of the demonstration at Mount Sinai.Donna Aceto[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_64925" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
Advocates remind providers of their responsibility to care for others without causing harm.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_64926" align="aligncenter" width="700"]
A safe disposal bottle.Donna Aceto[/caption]
A parent of a trans child speaks out at the demonstration.Donna Aceto[/caption]
According to Sam, a 17-year-old transgender boy, access to this kind of medical treatment gave him hope for his life and prevented him from spiraling into a dangerous depression.
“If 12-year-old me didn't have the hope of one day being able to receive gender affirming care as a youth through Mount Sinai's gender-affirming care program, I wouldn't be standing here telling you my story today. Gender-affirming care saves lives, it saved my life,” Sam said. “Please, Mount Sinai, do what's right and protect trans youth. Please don't take our lifeline away.”
Mount Sinai did not respond to a request for comment.
[caption id="attachment_137868329" align="aligncenter" width="736"] According to Sam, a 17-year-old trans boy, access to this kind of medical treatment gave him hope for his life and prevented him from spiraling into a dangerous depression. Photo by Dean Moses[/caption]
According to several other trans youth members, the hospital had been quietly discontinuing care for young trans individuals for more than a year. The teens say they had been attempting to set up medical appointments since 2015 but instead hit a brick wall of either being ignored outright or promised a callback that never came.
Yet when they turned 18, they told amNewYork that they were suddenly accepted to the program.
Demonstrators on Tuesday evening carried signs and chanted from megaphones, pleading with the hospital to reconsider its stance. Some even wept. Members of the transgender community shared their stories and even took their hormone treatment on the street in protest.
[caption id="attachment_64922" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Sending a message to Mount Sinai and the Department of Justice.Donna Aceto[/caption]
Parents also expressed concern for their children’s well-being. Angelica Jadunandan moved to the Big Apple from Florida several years ago and says her daughter came out as trans when she was four years old. Although she said she hoped that her daughter would not need gender-affirming care, she said she would do anything to make her happy.
“I was raised in a conservative Christian house. I did not know a lot about transgender people, so I did what I always do. I read, and I bought the books, and I joined the groups. And what I learned was so simple: That trans kids have better outcomes when they are loved and supported,” Jadunandan said. “To Mount Sinai and all of the spineless cowards who have bent the knee to the clowns in charge, the boot you lick today will stomp on you tomorrow.”
[caption id="attachment_137868327" align="aligncenter" width="701"] Members of the transgender community shared their stories and even took their hormone treatment on the street in protest.Photo by Dean Moses[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_64923" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Taylor Brown, the director of the Mayor's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.Donna Aceto[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_64924" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Qween Amor looks up at Mount Sinai to call out the hospital.Donna Aceto[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_64927" align="aligncenter" width="467"] Spreading awareness of the demonstration at Mount Sinai.Donna Aceto[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_64925" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Advocates remind providers of their responsibility to care for others without causing harm.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_64926" align="aligncenter" width="700"] A safe disposal bottle.Donna Aceto[/caption]
