I am writing to express anger and disappointment at Baystate Medical Center’s recent decision to stop offering comprehensive gender affirming care to minors. On Saturday, April 26, I was part of a group of concerned citizens at an art installation and action at Baystate in Springfield that invited Baystate to reflect and reconsider their decision.

As the major medical center in our area, Baystate has a responsibility to offer quality, comprehensive care to patients, including children and youth seeking gender-affirming care.

LGBTQ+ people and families intentionally move to western Massachusetts because of our inclusive and progressive politics, myself included. There are more out, queer people here than most places, something we should be proud of. It is an opportunity to show more care to the people, families and children in our towns and cities, not less. Outsourcing minors’ gender-affirming care to TransHealth, which may not reach everyone seeking care and further stigmatizes a vulnerable population, shows us that Baystate cares more about how they are perceived than the patient experience.

On behalf of the group who organized on Saturday, I proudly share our statement associated with this impactful art installation:

“We, a gathering of adults concerned with protecting the rights and the care of trans youth, are here today to expose the impact of Baystate Health’s indefensible and premature decision to end gender-affirming care for trans youth. We call upon Baystate Health to:

  • Immediately reverse its decision and restore gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors.
  • Issue a public apology to the families it abandoned.
  • Affirm its commitment to evidence-based, non-discriminatory care for all patients.

We are unified and unwavering in our support for the rights of trans youth to receive the healthcare they need and we will not stop exposing injustice and advocating for corrective action until our healthcare systems reflect the needs and values of the people in the bcommunities they serve.”

Baystate Health leaders and decision makers: You can change your mind. I hope you do.

Elizabeth Thompson

Pelham