Seattle, WA – A coalition of leading LGBT and reproductive rights advocacy organizations, including Gender Justice League, ProChoice Washington, Lavender Rights Project, and statewide advocates, issued an urgent community letter today calling on Seattle Children’s Hospital to immediately reverse its decision to halt gender-affirming surgical care for patients under 19. The groups argue that the hospital’s cancellation is illegal under Washington law and deeply harmful to transgender youth.
“Seattle Children’s Hospital’s decision to abruptly halt gender-affirming care sends a dangerous message that our children’s lives and health are negotiable,” said Danni Askini, Executive Director of Gender Justice League. “This is medically necessary, lifesaving care. Yielding to political pressure risks setting a precedent that will harm not only transgender youth but all young people relying on Seattle Children’s for critical healthcare.”
The organizations highlighted that the Washington Law Against Discrimination explicitly prohibits discrimination against transgender people in places of public accommodation, which legally obligates Seattle Children’s to provide this vital healthcare.
“The decision by Seattle Children’s undermines the fundamental rights to bodily autonomy that we in Washington have fought so hard to protect,” said Sami Alloy, Interim Executive Director of ProChoice Washington. “Gender-affirming care is scientifically validated, compassionate, and critical healthcare. Withholding it threatens the safety and dignity of some of the most vulnerable transgender youth across Washington and sends a harmful message that the rights of patients are up for debate. That is unacceptable.”
Advocates emphasized the broad impacts this decision has beyond healthcare alone, pointing out the role institutions play in shaping public narratives and perceptions about transgender people.
“When institutions like Seattle Children’s yield prematurely to political intimidation, they amplify harmful biases and misinformation,” noted Rebekah Gardea, Co-Executive Director of Advocacy and Community Outreach. “It’s crucial that they stand firm, not only for medical integrity but also to prevent emboldening further attacks on the most vulnerable in our communities.”
“We demand an immediate reversal of this decision,” said Sarah Cherin of UFCW 3000 a union representing hundreds of Seattle Children’s employees, “it is vital our healthcare workers can continue to do their jobs and provide the world-class patient care that every child deserves”.
The coalition’s letter also called for transparency and leadership from Seattle Children’s, urging the hospital to resume all gender-affirming surgical healthcare services immediately, educate the public on the science-backed nature of gender-affirming care, and maintain a steadfast commitment to their core mission.
“This isn’t just about healthcare—it’s about moral leadership,” said Bryanna Jenkins, Policy Director of Lavender Rights Project. “We need Seattle Children’s to publicly affirm their support for transgender youth and lead by example, showing other institutions across the country that protecting our youth from political attacks is both possible and morally necessary.”
The community letter concludes with a call for dialogue and immediate action, pledging to support Seattle Children’s publicly and legally if it chooses to restore its commitment to comprehensive, affirming care.
You can read the full letter here: Seattle Children’s Community Letter