NYC Doctor Defies Trump's Ban on Transgender Care

A New York City pediatrician, Dr. Jeffrey Birnbaum, has vowed to continue providing gender-affirming care to transgender patients under 19, despite a recent executive order from President Trump aiming to ban such treatments. He asserts that the care is life-sustaining for these patients. Dr. Birnbaum's stance is supported by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who stated that state law mandates the continuation of such care.

However, the executive order, titled "Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation," has prompted several hospitals across the nation, including some in NYC, to suspend or review their transgender care programs for minors. This has left many young patients, including Dr. Birnbaum's, terrified about potential disruptions to their care. One such patient, 17-year-old Akoni Drysdale-Ash, shared his experiences and anxieties about the potential loss of access to testosterone therapy. <img src="https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best/rockcms/2025-02/250207-Akoni-Drysdale-Ash-2-aa-524-b39673.jpg" alt="Akoni Drysdale-Ash, 17, said starting testosterone nearly three years ago dramatically improved his quality of life.">

The executive order's inflammatory language and claims about irreversible interventions are countered by research showing that a very small percentage of minors access such treatments. Major medical associations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, support access to gender-affirming care for minors and oppose restrictions.

Legal challenges are underway. The American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal have filed a lawsuit to block Trump's orders, joined by several Democratic states. The legal battle will determine the future of access to this vital care for transgender youth in New York and beyond.

Dr. Birnbaum's unwavering commitment reflects the urgency of the situation and underscores the profound impact of this contentious issue on the lives of transgender minors and their families.