NYU Langone Health has announced the discontinuation of its Transgender Youth Health Program, a decision that has prompted strong reactions from advocacy groups. The announcement, made on January 9, 2025, follows an executive order by former President Donald Trump that bans gender-affirming health care and a proposal to withdraw federal funding from hospitals offering such treatments to minors.
Program Closure and Its Implications
In a statement, NYU Langone explained that the decision was influenced by the recent departure of its medical director and the evolving regulatory landscape. The organization emphasized its commitment to supporting patients through this transition, clarifying that pediatric mental health care programs will remain operational.
“Given the recent departure of our medical director, coupled with the current regulatory environment, we made the difficult decision to discontinue our Transgender Youth Health Program,” NYU Langone stated. “This does not impact our pediatric mental health care programs, which will continue.”
Reports indicate that the program had already begun cancelling appointments shortly after the executive order was issued, making the full shutdown of the initiative less surprising to some. Nonetheless, advocacy groups have expressed outrage over the decision.
Advocates Respond to Program Closure
Elisa Crespo, from the Stonewall Community Foundation, highlighted the profound implications of the program’s closure for transgender youth and their families. “What I know is that trans youth exist. I once was a trans youth myself. This care is supported by nearly every major medical association in the country,” Crespo said. She noted that many parents have reached out, feeling lost and devastated by the lack of support.
Crespo called on local governments to step in and provide the necessary resources to fill the gaps left by the program’s closure. “It’s a shame our government is getting in the way of decisions that should be made between families, young people, and their doctors,” she added.
New York City Councilmember Tiffany Cabán also voiced strong criticism of NYU Langone’s decision. “Shame on you for bending the knee to the Trump Administration and closing the Transgender Youth Health Program. It is a disturbing violation of the Hippocratic Oath (First, Do No Harm) to cancel care that is proven to save lives,” Cabán stated. She underscored the consensus among major medical associations that gender-affirming care significantly enhances the mental health and well-being of transgender youth.
The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) echoed these sentiments, with Executive Director Donna Lieberman expressing deep concern over the impact of this decision. “Gender-affirming care helps people live as their authentic selves and can be lifesaving,” Lieberman remarked. She criticized the Trump administration for exacerbating the challenges faced by vulnerable populations like transgender individuals, reaffirming the NYCLU’s commitment to fighting for the rights of trans New Yorkers.
The closure of the Transgender Youth Health Program at NYU Langone represents a significant shift in healthcare access for transgender youth. The ongoing debate surrounding gender-affirming care continues to evoke strong reactions, highlighting the complex intersection of healthcare, policy, and individual rights.
