Trans youth confront Massachusetts attorney general as hospitals quietly cut gender-affirming care

A youth-led group of trans activists, Protect Trans Futures (PTF), is pressing Massachusetts attorney general Andrea Campbell to act after several hospitals in the state ended or scaled back gender-affirming care, despite such care remaining legal.

This week, PTF members staged a sit-in at Campbell’s Boston office, publicly taking their prescribed hormone replacement therapy in the lobby and refusing to leave without a commitment to protect access for trans youth. After hours of occupation, nine protesters were arrested by state troopers, The Guardian reports.

Activists want Campbell to investigate or litigate against hospitals that have halted youth care in response to Trump administration threats to federal funding, even though no hospital has actually lost funding.

Massachusetts has strong LGBTQ+ protections and is a destination for families fleeing anti-trans laws in other states, yet at least three local systems have ended gender-affirming programs for patients under 19, and another canceled surgeries for adult trans women.

Youth like Josh, 18, have faced lengthy treatment gaps after Fenway Health stopped prescribing hormones and puberty blockers, while students such as Harvard’s Safara Malone are reconsidering whether they can build a future in the state.

Campbell has joined a multistate lawsuit challenging federal efforts to restrict Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care and has warned hospitals that cutting services may violate state anti-discrimination law.

Her office, however, has declined to order hospitals to reinstate care, fueling frustration among activists who say they personally know multiple families whose access has been disrupted.

Why this matters for the workplace

• Employers depend on states that protect LGBTQ+ people to attract and retain diverse, high-performing talent.
• When gender-affirming care is reduced, trans employees and families experience higher stress and uncertainty, affecting wellbeing and productivity.
• Companies that align benefits and public positions with LGBTQ+ inclusion are better positioned to meet expectations from staff, clients and investors.

Businesses and professionals who want to support trans-inclusive workplaces and stay ahead on LGBTQ+ equality can connect with a global community, resources and inclusive employers by signing up for myGwork.

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