For now, transgender care for minors remains legal in Michigan
The University of Michigan doctors will end gender-affirming care for minors under an "escalating external threats and risks" of civil and criminal prosecution.
"The University of Michigan, including Michigan Medicine, is one of multiple institutions across the country that has received a federal subpoena as part of a criminal and civil investigation into gender-affirming care for minors," read a statement released Monday evening.
"In light of that investigation, and given escalating external threats and risks, we will no longer provide gender affirming hormonal therapies and puberty blocker medications for minors," it continued.
The Ann Arbor-based school also posted a version of the statement on its patient webpage, directed to "gender diverse patients under the age of 19." It notes that "unprecedented legal and regulatory threats to our clinicians and our institution."
The statement ran under the same photo that months ago topped a page stating that U-M's transgender care "is informed by evidence based professional guidelines for the care of gender diverse youth, including mental health and medical services to meet a person's gender goals."
At the time, the page read, the Gender Services team that serves "transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse children and adolescents" would see "patients and families at any point in their process."
A University of Michigan spokesperson did not immediately respond to Bridge questions about the timing of the decision, how many minor patients are in its care, or if the university will continue to provide any other care to those patients.
"We recognize the gravity and impact of this decision for our patients and our community. We are working closely with all those impacted, and we will continuously support the well-being of our patients, their families, and our teams," the statement read.
The move is not altogether surprising.
Universities have faced increased pressure from the Trump administration to end what Trump calls "gender ideology extremism." Within eight days of taking office, he signed an executive order and has threatened to prosecute health care providers who provide transgender care -- what the executive order calls "chemical and surgical mutilation" -- to minors.
Such care is legal in Michigan, but not everywhere in the US. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and others have argued that the Trump administration is overstepping its authority. She and a coalition of more than a dozen other attorneys general filed a multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing against its efforts to restrict access to transgender care
Earlier this year, U-M and other universities backed off diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, too, under federal pressure. And universities have continued to face funding cuts in crucial research areas.
A few universities have stood ground against the federal pressure to change policies, but federal pressure -- and threats -- continue to mount.
Equality Michigan, which advocates for LGBTQ+ people, said members were "deeply disappointed and concerned" by U-M's most recent decision. It called it "yet another alarming move by a major healthcare institution to walk away from its responsibility to serve all patients -- including some of our most vulnerable young people."
"Even in making this harmful decision, the University of Michigan appears to acknowledge the legitimacy and value of gender-affirming care. Yet, it has chosen to retreat. This sends a chilling and damaging message to the very young people who most need affirmation, stability, and support," said Erin Knott, executive director of Equality Michigan, according to the statement.
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The change may put pressure on other doctors, who also are watching developments in Washington.
Dr. Paul Benson has been providing care to LGBTQ+ patients since the 1980s. That includes thousands of adult patients of the Be Well Medical Center in Berkley who now receive transgender care, along with "a few" teenagers and adolescents.
For now, the care will continue, he said. For the most part, he advises against hormone therapy and puberty blockers for minors anyway, he said.
Especially for prepubescent patients, they can crossdress or use the pronouns they wish, without medication. His private practice has "never endorsed" surgical care until adulthood, he said.
By Tuesday morning, Benson had already heard from a parent of a U-M patient, seeking a continuation of care as the U-M treatment ends.
For now, Benson will continue providing services -- able to do so, in large part, because he doesn't rely on federal funding, he said.
But, he said, he's 72.
"I would -- without a heartbeat -- continue to provide all this care, except for one thing," he said. "I'm 72 years old. I don't want to live my life in jail -- I'm not going to do anything to go to jail over this.