Dallas demonstrators protest ending of transgender health program at North Texas hospitals

DALLAS - The Dallas skyline was lit up Thursday in blue, white and pink to commemorate Transgender Day of Visibility.

Trans demonstrators and their allies on Thursday marked the day to protest the ending of a program designed to help minors go through transition.

UT Southwestern and Children's Hospital effectively ended the program last year. There were even some doctors in the crowd. Organizers picked the location to demonstrate because they say it’s an example of recent attacks on transgender rights.               

Dallas hospitals halt gender affirming care for new patients

In Dallas’ Medical District, the sounds of ambulances and medical choppers were drowned out Thursday by a crowd made up of activists, allies and medical professionals. 

Brent and Chris Bolding lost their 17-year-old daughter Eleanor to suicide in May of last year. They say it was just a few months after she told them she was transgender.    

"The sense that she just didn’t feel comfortable in the world because of everything going on just seems so incredibly wrong," Chris said.

In recent months, Texas Republicans have stepped up scrutiny over gender-affirming care for transgender children.

Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have sought to investigate certain gender-affirming care as "child abuse." 

Texas judge blocks investigations into parents of trans children

Officials at UT Southwestern and Children’s Health have cited political and legal pressure as a reason for in November suspending hormone and puberty suppression therapy for new patients, claiming in a joint statement this week they believed "that a failure to act would put the entire program in jeopardy."

"We need to support our transgender youth, transgender youth are struggling and in pain, and they need the medical care that’s a necessity for them," said demonstrator Rene Baker.

Dr. Ximena Lopez, a UT Southwestern doctor who helped create the program for pediatric transgender care., has taken legal action to find out who is behind scaling it back.

In a new filing Wednesday, she says since November, "over 100 patients seeking gender-affirming care at UT Southwestern Medical Center have been turned away."

Although the clashes still continue over transgender rights, those who support those rights are optimistic they’ll be visible.

"This shows hope," Brent said.

If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, ‘The Trevor Project’ can connect people with counselors 24/7. The organization is focused on preventing LGBTQ youth suicide. LINK: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to civilians and veterans. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (1-888-628-9495 for Spanish), or text HOME to 741-741 (Crisis Text Line)

CLICK HERE for the warning signs and risk factors of suicide. Call 1-800-273-TALK for free and confidential emotional support.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/en-espanol (In Spanish/En Español)