California Teens Protest Trans Care Centre’s Closure Under Trump Administration

Last Updated:July 11, 2025, 22:41 IST

Centre for Transyouth Health and Development at CHLA is largest public provider of gender-affirming care in the US.

CHLA began working with trans children around 1991 (Pexels/Representative Image)

Donald Trump was elected as the US President for a second term in November last year, and he assumed office in January 2025. Within six months of his presidency, there have been several changes, most of which were unexpected. One such decision was to shut down the Centre for Transyouth Health and Development at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). The healthcare facility served as the largest public provider of gender-affirming care for children and teens. However, its sudden closure has led to protests among trans youth.

A Guardian report featured the views of several teens who described how the centre at CHLA changed their lives. Eli, currently a resident of Los Angeles, stated that the centre offered counselling and helped him access gender-affirming hormone therapy. Another teen, Katie, said, “Sometimes I think: What would my life be if I never got this? Losing this now would destroy my life."

CHLA began working with trans children around 1991. In its nearly three-decade-long legacy, it served as one of the most important research centres across the US. Despite being a vital part of gender-affirming care, the Children’s Hospital decided to shut down the centre after receiving a federal funding cut threat from the Trump administration. The centre will close on July 22. The hospital has cited several reasons for its decision, including the “shifting policy landscape," executive orders, the state’s budget crisis, and funding threats.

A few weeks ago, the Supreme Court upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors. Following the decision, other hospitals have also announced their intention to shut down similar care centres. According to protesters, this is an attempt by the federal government to regulate the lives of transgender people.

Sage Sol Pitchenik, one of the teens receiving care at CHLA, spoke to the Associated Press to voice their protest. “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.

As the centre nears its closure date, teens and parents are searching for alternative hospitals to receive gender-affirming care. CHLA has also promised to provide alternatives for its patients seeking care.

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News world California Teens Protest Trans Care Centre’s Closure Under Trump Administration