Blue States Retreat on Trans Youth Health Care

About this episode

The episode discusses the recent retreat of blue states on trans youth health care and the implications of proposed rules from the Department of Health & Human Services.

Since the start of 2026, a string of hospital networks in blue states that legally mandate gender affirming care for trans youth have abruptly ended these programs, leaving thousands of kids and their families in the lurch. What’s worse, more proposed rules from the Department of Health & Human Services could spell the end of gender-affirming care for all trans people, including adults. This week, Imara speaks with Jennifer Levi, Senior Director of Transgender and Queer Rights at GLAD Law about the legal implications. Then, Imara is joined by  Kei Williams, Executive Director of New Pride Agenda in New York, to share how activists can push back and resist these new restrictions. This week’s Trans Joy features Cal Hansen, a trans masc parent and community organizer based in South Minneapolis. They are an EMT and practitioner of Eastern Medicine whose work centers direct action, mutual aid, and accessible community care. Send your trans joy recommendations to translash_podcast @ translash [dot] org  Follow TransLash Media @translashmedia on TikTok , Instagram , Threads , Bluesky , and Facebook . Follow Imara Jones on Instagram ( @Imara_jones_ ), Threads (@…

People in this episode

Host: Imara Jones

Guests: Jennifer Levi, Kei Williams

Topics covered

• trans youth health care
• gender affirming care
• legal implications
• activism
• community care
• health policy

Keywords

• trans youth
• gender affirming care
• health care policy
• activism
• legal rights
• community organizing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: GLAD Law, New Pride Agenda

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