Rocky Mountain Equality Condemns New HHS Report That Threatens Lifesaving Care for Transgender Youth

Today, Rocky Mountain Equality (RMEQ) strongly condemned the newly released U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) report as little more than propaganda grasping at science that doesn't exist. This is a direct response to political pressures from this administration that has made very clear its desire to attack the transgender community no matter the cost. The report, released earlier today, attempts to replace decades of best-practice medical care for transgender youth by interfering in the freedom to make medical medical decisions for ourselves and our families with our doctors.

“Protecting our children is a fundamental responsibility of parents. This report is an attempt to take away my freedom to make the right decisions for my family," said Emily Stout, parent of a trans youth and Rocky Mountain Equality Board Vice President. "Parents like me are not asking for permission to love and support our kids — we are demanding the right to do so without government interference. These political attacks are not about protecting children. I know I'm speaking for parents everywhere when I say: stop using fear and misinformation to harm our kids."

The HHS report falsely claims that mental health counseling alone can replace evidence-based medical care for gender dysphoria — laying the groundwork to block access to lifesaving treatments and rebrand conversion therapy as legitimate health care. Every major U.S. medical and mental health association, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, has condemned these dangerous practices.

"Access to medical care and the ability to make our own medical decisions are basic human rights," said Michal Duffy, Chair of Rocky Mountain Equality’s Colorado Trans Advocacy Committee. "Transgender people, including youth, deserve the same evidence-based healthcare as everyone else. Denying care isn’t protecting us — it’s putting trans youth and all trans people in danger.”

In the release of the report, it is stated that “[n]ames of the contributors to the review are not initially being made public, in order to help maintain the integrity of this process.” However, keeping those who have contributed to an “evidence-based” and “scientific” report anonymous does the opposite and makes clear the lack of credibility. 

"At the end of the day, forcing families to watch their kids suffer when safe, trusted care exists is wrong," said Mardi Moore, CEO of Rocky Mountain Equality. "No amount of inaccurate or misleading information from this administration and the people they have bought will ever make cruelty a virtue just like no amount of fear mongering can make someone not transgender. Just like being gay, being transgender is not a choice. It’s rooted in biology and genetics.”

Rocky Mountain Equality stands firmly with healthcare providers, parents, and advocates across the nation in defending the right of transgender youth to receive the medically necessary, evidence-based care they need to thrive.