Fenway Health Halts Gender-Affirming Care for Minors Under Federal Pressure
Faces community backlash over policy change
Fenway Health, one of the nation's leading LGBTQ+ care and research centers, announced it will halt gender-affirming care—including hormones and puberty blockers—for patients under 19, citing federal funding requirements under the Trump administration.
The federally qualified health center, which serves over 30,000 patients, said the decision came after the Health Resources and Services Administration announced in September it would deprioritize funding for programs offering gender-affirming medical interventions.
"This change does not reflect our values, our belief that gender-affirming care saves lives, or our unwavering commitment to the transgender and gender-diverse community," wrote Fenway Health CEO Jordina Shanks. "It reflects a painful reality that we are working to change."
Legal Questions and Community Outrage
Josh Rovenger, legal director at GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD Law), told The Daily Free Press that a federal injunction granted in March prohibits the administration from tying federal funding to state-wide gender-affirming care programs. "The law does not compel these institutions to do that," Rovenger said.
The decision sparked immediate protests. Over 100 demonstrators gathered outside the health center on October 17, organized by ACT UP Boston, chanting "Trans youth are welcome here." A second protest followed on October 20.
Alejandra Caraballo, a former Fenway Health board member, called the move a "cowardly capitulation sacrificing trans youth" on Bluesky, the Boston Globe reported. Somerville City Councilor J.T. Scott urged residents to contact state officials, arguing the decision violates Massachusetts law protecting access to gender-affirming health services, according to the Globe.
Impact on Community
Nina Selvaggio of PFLAG Greater Boston told the Globe that no other local gender-affirming care providers are known to be limiting access to youth under 19, raising concerns that Fenway's decision could overwhelm remaining providers.
A 2022 study in JAMA Network found transgender youth receiving hormone therapy and puberty blockers were 60% less likely to experience moderate to severe depression and 73% less likely to have suicidal thoughts.
"For trans youth, it's life-changing access. This is life-saving access," said Shaplaie Brooks, executive director of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth.
The Boston City Council passed a resolution supporting gender-affirming care at a meeting this week. Councilor Sharon Durkan noted Fenway was "devastated to have to make an impossible choice between following their mission and staying open."