An international webpage for families of transgender children has been launched by Connecticut Children's Hospital

 An international webpage for families of transgender children has been launched by Connecticut Children's Hospital

IRONWOOD — Thanks to a new link, children who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming nationwide may now access information, treatment, and mental health services at Hartford's Connecticut Children's healthcare. 

It is prohibited in certain places for children who identify as transgender or nonbinary to have access to these programs. The Human Rights Campaign reports that 35.1% of young transgender people reside in places where gender-affirming healthcare is prohibited. These therapies are not prohibited in Connecticut. 

According to Dr. Melissa Santos, Connecticut Children's division head of pediatric psychology, the hospital has been notified by local stakeholders about many families want to relocate to Connecticut for this kind of treatment from other states.

"We are getting phone calls throughout families from out of state with children who are calling to ask about services right here at Connecticut Children's," Santos said. "We are aware that this is occurring, as are other hospitals. I believe that both kids and parents are afraid. People are absolutely unsure about what to do, and they don't know what will happen as laws are approved or as they progress through the legal system."

Gender-affirming treatment is prohibited in 22 states in the United States as a result of state laws that have been mostly affirmed by the courts. Gender-affirming treatment is defined by the American Dental Association as "medically necessary, based on scientific evidence that improves the psychological and physical well-being of transgender as well as gender-diverse people."

Although Connecticut hasn't outlawed this kind of care, proponents claim the state still has a ways to go in terms of education and providing safe places for LGBTQ+ individuals. The state just recently started paying for fertility treatments for LGBTQ+ individuals covered by state health insurance.

Transgender persons of all ages may experience gender dysphoria, which is defined by the American Psychiatric Association, also known as the as "psychological disturbance stemming from the incongruence underlying gender assignment and identity," if they are denied access to gender-affirming treatment.

persons who are transgender or persons of color are more likely to attempt suicide, with 41% of LGBTQ+ youth having seriously contemplated doing so in the previous year, according to the Trevor Project.

The purpose of the online portal is to help families move their children into the state and into care, but the Gender Program at Connecticut Children's offers the youth the pre- and post-puberty care they require, including hormone treatments, puberty blockers, and gender-affirming surgery. 

"Because we recognize the fact that there are families that are having concerns about, 'What does that even mean for mine to move and uproot my entire life in order to guarantee my child continues to get the care that they need?', we want to make sure that that the website. has information for household members about the things you should be looking out for," Santos explained.

According to Chris Chun, president of Fiesta Youth, a San Antonio-based LGBTQ+ support organization, going to another state for treatment is commonplace; Texas is one of the places where this kind of care is prohibited.

Chun added that families with Fiesta Youth often go to New Mexico, Colorado, California, and Washington for treatment. Although he wasn't aware of anybody visiting Connecticut, he acknowledged the value of initiatives like the one at Connecticut Children's. 

"It's just the anxiety of recognizing that the care that they need, can't be provided in their state," Chun said. Therefore, their body may grow in a manner that is inconsistent with who they are. And therefore, they have this overwhelming dread that they will be misdiagnosed and not feel like themselves for the rest of their lives."

Chun said that the sacrifices required for parents of transgender or nonbinary children in need of care in a state like Texas may be unaffordable in order to guarantee the children get what they need. It wouldn't be that difficult to relocate all the way to Connecticut.

Some of our families have decided to part ways. Not like forever, but physically divided so one parent may take their kid to a medical facility," Chun said. 

Remembering that not all gender-affirming medical treatment involves hormones and surgery is crucial, according to Santos. A portion of it is as easy as choosing a hospital where the appropriate pronouns are used.

Not every kid needs that degree of care, and not every child takes hormones," Santos said. "The discussion is often a safe place for children to be kept while they really consider their future course of action and truly do that in conjunction with the family. Our hospital, our efforts, and our professionals, in my opinion, have always remained faithful to our mission to serve children."

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (In Spanish: 888-628-9454; for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 800-799-4889) or text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line if you or someone you know may be contemplating suicide. The Trevor Project may also be reached online.