University of Pennsylvania Halts Youth Gender Transitions
President Trump’s January executive order entitled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation” gave colleges of medicine and other medical facilities that were dependent on government funding an ultimatum: stop “chemical and surgical mutilation” of children or lose government funding. Penn Medicine has chosen to put a stop to these activities rather than lose its funding, according to The Christian Post.
The language of the executive order states, “Accordingly, it is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called ‘transition’ of a child from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures.”
The executive order details specific procedures and drugs that will no longer be supported or provided to minors and the types of federal funds, including federal grants, that will no longer be provided to colleges and medical facilities that aren’t compliant.
In a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian, Penn Medicine Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President Dr. Patrick Brennan said, “This is a difficult decision that we know impacts patients and families who place their trust in our care teams. We remain deeply committed to ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment for all members of the communities we serve and providing comprehensive medical and behavioral health care and psychosocial support for LGBTQ+ individuals while complying with federal government requirements.”
Those who are 19 years of age or older will still be able to schedule sex change procedures and obtain the drugs needed for a transition, according to NBC News.
A White House press release noted medical facilities in several states that downsized, eliminated, or are closely reviewing their “gender-affirming” programs. Some of these include:
- NYU Langone Health in New York
- Denver Health in Colorado
- VCU Health and Children’s Hospital of Richmond, Virginia
- Children’s National Hospital in Washington D.C.
- Northwest Washington Hospital in Washington D.C.
- Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Illinois
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania
The January executive order also states that “The Secretary of HHS, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, shall use all available methods to increase the quality of data to guide practices for improving the health of minors with gender dysphoria, rapid-onset gender dysphoria, or other identity-based confusion, or who otherwise seek chemical or surgical mutilation.”
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/University of Pennsylvania
Originally published June 04, 2025.
