Fuming transgender rights activists descended upon East Harlem’s Mount Sinai Hospital on Sept. 8 after the medical center announced it would no longer be providing gender-affirming care for youth. 

Protesters did not mince words when it came to the hospital’s decision to stop providing services to youth in the transgender community; in fact, they railed that it was a clear tactic to “bend the knee” to the Trump administration in an effort to secure further funding. Yet those negatively affected by the move say a lack of access to gender-affirming care could cause serious mental health concerns, even suicide for some.