SENATOR MAHER RELEASES STATEMENT AS CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S, YALE NEW HAVEN HEALTH END GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE PROGRAMS

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton), Senate Chair of the Committee on Children, released the following statement in response to recent reports that Connecticut Children’s and Yale New Haven Health will end their gender-affirming care programs in response to pressure from the Trump administration.

“I’m disheartened that these programs, which provide real help and assistance to transgender youth, are two more casualties of oppressive federal policies. Amid unprecedented attacks on trans and queer people in the United States, our youngest Connecticut residents losing access to vital resources is unnecessarily cruel. Federal policy decisions are attacking our communities and our health care system in an increasingly disturbing pattern; this latest news comes after federal authorities have already slashed funding for a mental health support and suicide prevention hotline for the LGBTQ+ community. The intent behind ripping away care and support for vulnerable people is chilling.

Trans and queer youth in Connecticut and across America aren’t going away any time soon. Creating a climate of fear does not make people any less than who they are. Regardless of attempts by some to silence and intimidate them, the LGBTQ+ community will continue to have our support.”

The Connecticut Children’s and Yale New Haven Health changes come as the Trump administration is increasingly targeting medical programs providing health care and gender-affirming care to teens, such as counseling and hormone therapy. Such care has been shown to provide significant improvements in mental health for transgender youth. ABC News reported in 2024 that federal Republicans spent tens of millions of dollars in 2024 on anti-trans political ads.