rights
Doctors refuse care to trans youth even after court order. They're afraid of the Trump admin.
By Faefyx Collington at LGBTQ Nation
· June 18, 2026
· 4 min read
In May, the Colorado Supreme Court ordered Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHC) to resume providing gender-affirming care to trans youth after it suspended the program in January. Now, it says that they are resuming the program, but that doctors are refusing to provide the care for fear of losing thei
Key takeaway Now, it says that they are resuming the program, but that doctors are refusing to provide the care for fear of losing their medical licenses or facing criminal charges.
Why this matters
The refusal of doctors at Children's Hospital Colorado to provide gender-affirming care to trans youth, despite a court order, highlights the chilling effect of federal pressure on healthcare providers. The doctors' fear of losing their medical licenses or facing criminal charges underlines the uncertainty and risk that many healthcare professionals face when providing care to trans minors. This development is particularly concerning given the limited nature of the care provided, which is restricted to puberty blockers and hormone therapy prescriptions, with no surgeries performed on minors. The fact that a second major hospital has opened a detransition clinic under pressure from the Department of Justice suggests a broader trend of healthcare providers being coerced into compromising their medical judgment. As a result, trans youth and their families may be forced to seek care from fewer and fewer providers, exacerbating existing healthcare disparities and highlighting the need for robust legal protections for both patients and providers.
About this story
Original reporting by LGBTQ Nation . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: rights ·
Published: June 18, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? In May, the Colorado Supreme Court ordered Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHC) to resume providing gender-affirming care to trans youth after it suspended the program in January. Now, it says that they are resuming the program, but that doctors are refusing to provide the care for fear of losing thei
When was this published? This article was first published on June 18, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Faefyx Collington at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .