On what began as a quiet, rainy Friday afternoon outside the University of Virginia Medical Center, the air quickly filled with the voices of over 150 protesters decrying the hospital's decision to comply with state orders halting gender-affirming treatment for transgender youth. This protest, which took place on February 1, 2025, was organized by the Charlottesville Gender Expansive Network, led by its president Lillian DeCostanza, who expressed deep frustration at the hospital's actions.
"They did not need to do this. There is no law stating they can’t continue to provide gender-affirming care," she told The Daily Progress. DeCostanza criticized UVa Health for prioritizing financial concerns over the well-being of vulnerable patients, echoing sentiments from medical staff who noted the potential repercussions on state funding.
The backdrop to these protests was a letter issued by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, addressing both UVa and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). This letter ordered the suspension of surgeries and treatments for transgender youth, labeling these procedures as "chemical and surgical mutilation." Miyares argued this directive was necessary to protect the institutions from "significant legal risk and substantial financial exposure," particularly following President Donald Trump's recent executive order aimed at stripping federal funding from hospitals providing gender-affirming healthcare.
The executive order, enacted on January 30, 2025, emphatically states, "It is the policy of the United States not to sponsor or support the so-called 'transition' of children from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws prohibiting these life-altering procedures." Following this order, both UVa and NYU Langone Health, another major medical center, announced they were halting similar services, citing the need for more guidance and changes to official policy.
At UVa Medical Center, the scene was intense as protesters rallied, holding up signs emblazoned with slogans like, "Trans rights are human rights" and "How about Republicans stay out of our children’s underwear?" Emotional chants soon filled the air, as the crowd collectively shouted for their rights and the rights of transgender youth.
Allison Spillman, who spoke out as both a member of the Albemarle County School Board and as the parent of a transgender daughter, criticized the rapid suspension of care, calling it "reckless" and highlighting the immediate effect on families relying on these treatments. Spillman expressed disbelief over the abrupt cancellation of scheduled procedures, indicating feelings of betrayal by the system meant to support them. "There were procedures planned last night, and this morning there weren't," she recounted to The Daily Progress.
The emotional fallout from these changes is underscored by alarming statistics surrounding transgender youth mental health. According to the Trevor Project's 2024 "U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People," three out of five transgender and nonbinary youth experience symptoms of depression, with nearly half contemplating suicide, figures worsened by the withdrawal of gender-affirming care. Conversely, access to this type of healthcare has been shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of these young individuals facing severe mental health challenges.
But there are critics of gender-affirming practices, asserting they pose risks, especially for those not fully matured. A 2015 study showcased by the Journal of Adolescent Health highlighted the increased likelihood of psychiatric disorders among youth after sex reassignment surgeries. Yet, this opposition only deepens the divide around this contentious issue.
Despite the risks posed by halting such care, Spillman maintained the exceptional quality of service received at UVa Health, calling their treatment "phenomenal" and the environment supportive. "Having the clinic here and the level of care we did made us feel lucky. Having it taken away without a plan... feels reckless," she said, raising concerns for the future health of many children now impacted by this sudden shift.
Meanwhile, the climate surrounding this issue is rapidly changing. The protests at the University of Virginia reflect not only resistance to local policy but also mounting frustration nationwide. New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal emphasized the dangerous precedent set by NYU's pause on treatment for transgender youth, highlighting, "The decision sends a dangerous and confusing message to these patients..." He joined others calling for healthcare providers to remain focused on their patients rather than being influenced by changing political landscapes.
NYC Councilmember Keith Powers echoed this sentiment, labeling the situation as part of the Trump administration's broader attack on the trans community and advocating for healthcare professionals to prioritize patient needs over political fears.
Recent actions by healthcare institutions across the United States underline the intense pressure exerted by federal policy changes on local healthcare practices. The emotional outrage witnessed at UVa exemplifies the significant societal impact of these increasingly politicized healthcare decisions. With gender-affirming care under siege, advocates stress the necessity for educational systems and healthcare providers to unite and safeguard the rights and mental health of transgender youth.