Monograph

CALL TO ACTION TO REINSTATE GENDER-AFFIRMING SURGERIES FOR YOUTH AT SEATTLE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

2025-02-06 16:18

Below is a call to action (prepared by Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network) urging Seattle Children’s Hospital to immediately reinstate their gender-affirming surgical care program for youth. Included below is background information, who to contact, and sample scripts you can use entirely or as a springboard for your own words.

BACKGROUND:

Children’s Hospital in Seattle is canceling gender affirming surgeries following Trump’s executive order banning all federal support for gender-affirming care for trans children and youth ages 19 and under.Children’s has also removed all references to gender-affirming surgery on their website. Complying with this executive order (which is not even law) violates Washington state’s anti-discrimination laws and must be stopped.  

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*For more information about about this emerging story, check out The Stranger’s article, “Seattle Children’s Postpones Trans Teen’s Surgery Indefinitely.”

WHO TO CONTACT:

We are reaching out to three different groups. The Attorney General’s Office, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and your local elected state legislators. Contact information for each group is below.

Contact Seattle Children’s Hospital:

Contact the Washington State Attorney General’s office and your local Washington State electeds:

Email and call your local elected Washington state legislators: 

  • To find your district number, go to the state’s district finder and type in your address.

  • Once you know your district number, go to this page and type in your district number in the search bar. Email and contact information for all three legislators will be provided. 

SAMPLE SCRIPTS

These are scripts you can use verbatim or you can use them as a jumping off point for writing something more personal if you have the time. 

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Script for Children’s Hospital: 

Dear Dr. Sperring and the Seattle Children’s Hospital Executive Leadership Team,

I’ve learned that Seattle Children's is indefinitely canceling surgeries for trans youth and has removed gender-affirming surgical care from its website. 

Let me be clear: this is against the law in Washington state because it is discriminatory. I and many others are contacting the state attorney general's office and our state legislators. Bowing to the decisions of a fascist bigot when the executive order is NOT EVEN LAW is an act of fear.  I used to be proud of the work that Children's Hospital was doing and thought it was some of the best in the nation. Yet, the example you are setting is both offensive and deeply chilling. It sends a message about who you’re willing to harm for political reasons. Who’s next?

This is not a time for us to be fighting each other. As doctors, you swore to do no harm. Preemptively canceling surgical care for trans youth causes harm and sets a dangerous precedent for gender affirming care to be canceled for adults. Don't do the work of a racist, bigoted, transphobic president for him. I implore you to stand up and fight back with us instead of against us. Please reinstate your gender-affirming surgical programs immediately.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]  

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Script for the Attorney General’s Office 

Dear Assistant Attorney Generals Neal Luna, Lucy Wolf, and May Che,

I’ve recently learned that Seattle Children's is canceling surgeries for trans youth and has completely removed gender-affirming surgical care from their website. This violates Washington State’s anti-discrimination laws and sets a dangerous precedent.

As of today 15 states have taken the bold step to reconfirm their commitment to gender affirming care for trans youth in the face of Trump's attacks. We expect you to lead Washington state in joining the resolute action of these states by rejecting anti-trans discrimination and affirming the right to life-saving healthcare.

As a proud Washingtonian, I urge you to intervene and stop this illegal, discriminatory practice. Trans people have long fought for access to healthcare, and Washington is a leader in providing gender-affirming care for children, youth and adults. Trump’s executive order is not law, and we do not need to bow to it. Our state has protected trans youth before, and we must not let these protections slip away.

Under a federal government hostile to trans people, Washington has the chance to be a sanctuary. Research shows that gender-affirming care for trans youth saves lives and prevents suicide.  By canceling surgeries, Children’s is choosing harm. Letting this stand sets a dangerous precedent for gender affirming care for all trans people to be canceled. Please use your power to ensure Children’s reinstates its gender-affirming surgical programs immediately.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

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Script for your local state electeds

Dear [insert names of electeds],

I’ve recently learned that Seattle Children's is canceling surgeries for trans youth and has completely removed gender-affirming surgical care from their website. This violates Washington State’s anti-discrimination laws and sets a dangerous precedent. As of today 15 states have taken the bold step to reconfirm their commitment to gender affirming care for trans youth in the face of Trump's attacks. We expect you to lead Washington state in joining the resolute action of these states by rejecting anti-trans discrimination and affirming the right to life-saving healthcare. Will you advocate to ensure Children’s Hospital reinstates this life-saving program?

As a proud Washingtonian, I urge you to intervene and stop this illegal, discriminatory practice. Trans people have long fought for access to healthcare, and Washington is a leader in providing gender-affirming care for children, youth and adults. Trump’s executive order is not law, and we do not need to bow to it. Our state has protected trans youth before, and we must not let these protections slip away.

Under a federal government hostile to trans people, Washington has the chance to be a sanctuary. Research shows that gender-affirming care for trans youth saves lives and prevents suicide.  By canceling surgeries, Children’s is choosing harm. Letting this go unchallenged sets a dangerous precedent for gender affirming care for all trans people to be canceled. Can I count on you as my state legislator to stand on the right side of history by ensuring Seattle Children’s Hospital immediately reinstates its gender-affirming surgical programs?

Sincerely,

[Your Name]