Colorado has long been recognized as a sanctuary for gender-affirming care, with the state legally protecting and considering it an essential health insurance benefit. In recent years, individuals seeking such treatments have relocated to Colorado, known for its progressive stance on transgender healthcare.
Trinidad, a town in Colorado, gained notoriety as “the sex-change capital of the world” back in the 1970s. This reputation stemmed from the pioneering work of Stanley Biber, a former Army surgeon who performed gender-affirming surgeries for adults. However, the landscape for transgender healthcare faced challenges when President Donald Trump signed executive orders denying the existence of transgender individuals and labeling certain treatments as “mutilation.”
Following these orders, healthcare organizations in Colorado and other states announced changes to their gender-affirming care protocols for individuals under 19. This included restrictions on hormone prescriptions and puberty blockers, as well as a halt on surgeries for minors. However, a U.S. District Court ruling in Washington state blocked the implementation of Trump’s orders, leading to the resumption of hormone treatments by healthcare providers in Colorado.
Despite this legal victory, surgeries for transgender minors have not resumed in Colorado. Healthcare systems like Denver Health have cited patient safety concerns and legal uncertainties as reasons for the continued pause on surgical procedures. UCHealth has also refrained from resuming medication or surgeries for individuals under 19, awaiting further clarity from federal courts.
Transgender youth and their families continue to navigate challenges in accessing gender-affirming care, even with the recent legal developments. The Trump administration’s threats to withhold federal funding from healthcare providers have added to the uncertainty surrounding transgender healthcare access.
Gender-affirming care encompasses various medical interventions, and the process to receive treatment is complex and lengthy. Studies have shown that transgender youth, even those with private insurance, often face barriers in accessing puberty blockers and hormones.
As the landscape of transgender healthcare evolves, individuals and families are adapting to changing policies and regulations. The fight for inclusive and affirming healthcare for transgender individuals remains ongoing, highlighting the importance of continued advocacy and support for this marginalized community.
2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Families of transgender youth no longer view Colorado as a haven for gender-affirming care (2025, April 21)
Retrieved 21 April 2025 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-families-transgender-youth-longer-view.html
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