The protestors blocked entrance to the Department of Health and Human Services headquarters to protest a rule that could eliminate trans youth care nationwide.
People need to understand horrors caused when a state or federal government bans “gender” affirming care to trans people the result is some healthcare providers feel they need not provide any type of healthcare at all to a person seen as Trans-anything. I know from firsthand experience they are prone to deny even an aspirin.
I'm a bit dismayed by our disorganization. The main trans rights groups are out fighting court cases (absolutely necessary) but there is a hole in our organizational efforts. It's hard as a writer and content creator struggling to make ends meet, to figure out how to support on the ground activism. It's also dangerous so a lot of our institutional allies are a bit hesitant to organize public support of civil disobedience. Yet, these actions are necessary!
RFK Jr and his HHS minions do not support trans care, AND they do not support Medicaid — or any government funding for healthcare. Dropping trans care is not going to protect hospitals from the next HHS axe to drop, and they would have done better to push back rather than announce their lack of care to their stakeholders. These protesters are doing the right thing, and I hope all charges are dropped, because who could stand around and watch their children’s lives subjected to this kind of damage? Shame on the hospitals’ administrators who could.
I stand in unwavering support of the protest outside the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services headquarters to oppose unconstitutional bans targeting transgender Americans.
These bans are not just bad policy — they are violations of the United States Constitution.
They conflict directly with:
The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees that no state shall deny any person equal protection of the laws.
Targeting transgender individuals for exclusion from healthcare or legal recognition is discrimination, plain and simple.
The Due Process Clause of the 5th and 14th Amendments, which protects personal liberty and bodily autonomy from arbitrary government interference.
Medical decisions belong to patients, families, and doctors — not politicians.
The First Amendment, which safeguards freedom of expression and identity.
Government attempts to erase or penalize transgender identity strike at the heart of personal expression and human dignity.
When a federal agency adopts or enforces policies that single out a class of people for diminished rights, it betrays its constitutional obligation.
The Constitution does not carve out exceptions for unpopular minorities. It protects everyone — especially those most vulnerable to political attack.
Peaceful protest outside HHS is therefore not merely symbolic — it is a constitutional act in itself.
The First Amendment right to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances exists precisely for moments like this, when government power overreaches.
Transgender Americans are citizens.
They are entitled to equal protection, equal dignity, and equal access to healthcare under federal law.
Attempts to impose sweeping bans on medically recognized, evidence-based care are discriminatory, harmful, and legally indefensible.
We demand:
Immediate rescission of policies that violate equal protection guarantees.
Full adherence to constitutional standards in healthcare regulation.
Respect for bodily autonomy and medical privacy.
Accountability from public officials who use federal power to target a minority community.
Standing outside HHS is a declaration that constitutional rights are not negotiable.
It is a reminder that public servants are bound by the Constitution — not ideology.
Defending transgender rights is defending the Constitution itself.
WE should and must continue to strongly push back against these unwarranted attacks
https://alliancefortransyouthrights.org This link has a button that allows you to comment anonymously through a trusted nonprofit. I know these folks personally and they've been advocates for many years and leaders of trans rights legislation in California. Please comment TODAY! Thank you!!
People need to understand horrors caused when a state or federal government bans “gender” affirming care to trans people the result is some healthcare providers feel they need not provide any type of healthcare at all to a person seen as Trans-anything. I know from firsthand experience they are prone to deny even an aspirin.
I know this phrase gets overused, but.....not all heroes wear capes. Good on these protesters!
Thank you for this action and reporting. These people are heroes - how can we support them?
Like you I am questioning "how can we support them?" I like action items. As an ally I feel so helpless.
I'm a bit dismayed by our disorganization. The main trans rights groups are out fighting court cases (absolutely necessary) but there is a hole in our organizational efforts. It's hard as a writer and content creator struggling to make ends meet, to figure out how to support on the ground activism. It's also dangerous so a lot of our institutional allies are a bit hesitant to organize public support of civil disobedience. Yet, these actions are necessary!
RFK Jr and his HHS minions do not support trans care, AND they do not support Medicaid — or any government funding for healthcare. Dropping trans care is not going to protect hospitals from the next HHS axe to drop, and they would have done better to push back rather than announce their lack of care to their stakeholders. These protesters are doing the right thing, and I hope all charges are dropped, because who could stand around and watch their children’s lives subjected to this kind of damage? Shame on the hospitals’ administrators who could.
Anyone remember when the USA fought against fascism? 🤔
More power to them! Confusion to the enemy!
Do they need help making bail ?!
How to give it?
Are there any legal challenges to this or does it need to go into effect first?
This is what comes from dogma becoming policy.
Excellent reporting.
Hats off to the activists who blockaded the DHHS building. I hope mainstream media picks up this story.
I stand in unwavering support of the protest outside the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services headquarters to oppose unconstitutional bans targeting transgender Americans.
These bans are not just bad policy — they are violations of the United States Constitution.
They conflict directly with:
The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees that no state shall deny any person equal protection of the laws.
Targeting transgender individuals for exclusion from healthcare or legal recognition is discrimination, plain and simple.
The Due Process Clause of the 5th and 14th Amendments, which protects personal liberty and bodily autonomy from arbitrary government interference.
Medical decisions belong to patients, families, and doctors — not politicians.
The First Amendment, which safeguards freedom of expression and identity.
Government attempts to erase or penalize transgender identity strike at the heart of personal expression and human dignity.
When a federal agency adopts or enforces policies that single out a class of people for diminished rights, it betrays its constitutional obligation.
The Constitution does not carve out exceptions for unpopular minorities. It protects everyone — especially those most vulnerable to political attack.
Peaceful protest outside HHS is therefore not merely symbolic — it is a constitutional act in itself.
The First Amendment right to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances exists precisely for moments like this, when government power overreaches.
Transgender Americans are citizens.
They are entitled to equal protection, equal dignity, and equal access to healthcare under federal law.
Attempts to impose sweeping bans on medically recognized, evidence-based care are discriminatory, harmful, and legally indefensible.
We demand:
Immediate rescission of policies that violate equal protection guarantees.
Full adherence to constitutional standards in healthcare regulation.
Respect for bodily autonomy and medical privacy.
Accountability from public officials who use federal power to target a minority community.
Standing outside HHS is a declaration that constitutional rights are not negotiable.
It is a reminder that public servants are bound by the Constitution — not ideology.
Defending transgender rights is defending the Constitution itself.
WE should and must continue to strongly push back against these unwarranted attacks
What truly p*sses me off is that information like this never hits the national news.
I looked all over the HHS site, I don't see any way to comment on these?
A link to that would be great!
There was a way to comment on the Federal Register, but it's probably no longer active.
Supposedly it is open today until just before midnight...
https://alliancefortransyouthrights.org This link has a button that allows you to comment anonymously through a trusted nonprofit. I know these folks personally and they've been advocates for many years and leaders of trans rights legislation in California. Please comment TODAY! Thank you!!
Mount Sinai canceled my son's care as of a couple of weeks ago. Before there was any law in place requiring it.
Nothing but respect for *OUR* troops! 🫡