Rush University Medical Center has quietly “paused” gender-affirming hormone care for new patients under 18 — not because of medical concerns, but in response to political pressure.

This decision follows a chilling pattern: after President Trump issued an executive order threatening hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to minors, multiple Chicago-area health systems began scaling back services, even in states like Illinois where that care remains legal and protected. Rush now joins Lurie Children’s and others in retreating from care they once proudly provided.

This isn’t just a policy shift. It leaves families scrambling, teens in distress, and trans youth without access to the evidence-based, doctor-guided care that major medical associations — including the American Academy of Pediatrics — say can be lifesaving.

Illinois has long promised to be a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people. But what happens when even hospitals here start backing away?

We’re calling on Rush leadership to reverse this decision and stand firm in support of trans youth — not just in words, but in action. Pausing care isn’t neutral. It’s a retreat at a moment when courage is needed most.

Add your name to show Rush that Chicagoans — and people across Illinois — are watching, organizing, and standing up for the right to safe, compassionate, affirming care for every young person who needs it.