Facing federal pressure, Fenway Health halts gender-affirming care for patients under 19
The Boston clinic’s move has prompted backlash from community members.
Outside of Fenway Health at 1340 Boylston St. (Pat Greenhouse/ The Boston Globe Staff)
Fenway Health, a cornerstone of Boston’s LGBTQ+ community, announced Monday that it will stop providing gender-affirming care for patients under 19 — a decision the clinic says comes in response to new federal requirements tied to its funding.
The federally qualified health center said it must comply with Health Resources & Services Administration regulations to maintain support for its more than 30,000 patients. Fenway Health emphasized that its priority remains the “health, safety, and continuity of care” for those affected.
The decision by the clinic comes after the HRSA released a statement in September saying it is no longer prioritizing funding for programs that engage in gender-affirming care, including medical interventions such as puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries.
But the move has angered many in the community who relied on Fenway Health’s care.
Alejandra Caraballo, a former board member of Fenway Health, took to Bluesky, saying this move was a “cowardly capitulation sacrificing trans youth.”
Others followed, saying, “This is terrible,” and “Those kids need support now more than ever,” adding that they were “furious” over this “weak and pathetic” action.
J.T. Scott, a city councilor in Somerville on Bluesky, added, “Fenway Health cutting off access to medical treatment for trans youth is shameful and unnecessary. There is no need for this.”
He urged the community to contact the attorney general and the governor, arguing that ending this care at Fenway Health violates state law, which protects access to reproductive and gender-affirming health services.
Some have argued it also contradicts Boston’s declaration as a sanctuary city for transgender people. The resolution says the city prohibits taxpayer-funded agencies from cooperating with federal efforts to restrict resources that protect transgender rights.
Nina Selvaggio, executive director of the Greater Boston chapter of LGBTQ+ advocacy organization PFLAG, told The Boston Globe that she is not aware of other local gender-affirming care providers limiting access to children under 19.
Selvaggio told the Globe the Trump administration’s efforts to halt gender-affirming care for minors have been exhausting.
“It feels like daily there are blows dealt to our community,” Selvaggio said to the Globe. “We’re all trying to do the best we can.”