A pediatrician from New York City, Dr. Jeffrey Birnbaum, has pledged to continue providing gender-affirming treatments to minors, despite President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at limiting such care. Dr. Birnbaum, who specializes in adolescent medicine, emphasized that these treatments are crucial for his patients’ well-being and that he will keep offering them unless directed otherwise.
“Until somebody calls me away, I’m just going to keep doing it,” Dr. Birnbaum said. He also pointed out that New York Attorney General Letitia James assured doctors that state law mandates continued care for transgender minors.
However, Dr. Birnbaum expressed concern that his patients, especially those under 19, are fearful. Several hospitals have already suspended or re-evaluated their gender-affirming care programs due to the executive order. Around 20 of Dr. Birnbaum’s patients might be impacted, and they are “terrified” their treatments could be stopped.
The executive order, titled “Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” seeks to stop federal funding for transition-related care, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries for minors. The order also pressures medical schools and hospitals to end such treatments.
The White House announced that several hospitals in cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles have already paused or are reviewing their programs for minors. The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has temporarily halted new hormone therapy treatments for transgender minors.
Dr. Birnbaum strongly disagreed with the language used in the executive order, calling it “inflammatory” and “misleading.” He stressed that the care he provides is grounded in medical research, not “gender ideology” as some political figures suggest. “I’m dealing with science and medicine,” he said.
The executive order also argues that children should be protected from “irreversible medical interventions,” suggesting that minors often regret their treatments. However, studies show that only a small percentage of minors seek gender-affirming care, with a JAMA Pediatrics report revealing that less than 0.1% of adolescents with private insurance receive such treatments.
One of Dr. Birnbaum’s patients, 17-year-old Akoni Drysdale-Ash, shared how life-changing testosterone therapy has been for him. Akoni began transitioning nearly three years ago and said it improved his quality of life significantly. He likened the idea of losing access to his treatment to running a car without gas. “It’s scary,” Akoni said. “You’re taking away my visibility and care when all I want to do is live.”
Akoni’s mother, Jasmine Aldridge, pointed out that stopping testosterone therapy would reverse the changes, and her son’s well-being could be compromised if the treatment is halted. “There’s that reality of your child might not even be here to see 19 if you don’t support them,” she said.
Medical organizations, including the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), recommend that minors be treated individually, ensuring that any medical interventions, such as hormone therapy, are started only after careful evaluation.
Most major medical associations support access to gender-affirming care for minors, and oppose any restrictions. The American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Psychological Association have all expressed concern over the executive orders.
Lawsuits have been filed to challenge Trump’s orders. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Lambda Legal, along with three states, have sued to block the order. New York Attorney General Letitia James and other state officials have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting minors’ access to transition-related care.
As legal battles unfold, Dr. Birnbaum reassured his patients. “This is a safe space,” he said. “We’re going to protect them. We’re not going to interrupt their care.” He promised to continue supporting his patients through this difficult time.
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