Hi QTP Cutie,

Whether you’re looking for care yourself, supporting someone you love, or trying to understand the headlines, there’s a lot to keep up with. We want to help make it clearer, connect you with resources, and share some good news along the way.

What happens on October 13?

A new federal rule is scheduled to stop federal funding for certain gender-affirming treatments through Medicaid for people under 18 and through separate Children’s Health Insurance Programs, or CHIP, for people under 19.

The affected treatments include puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and surgeries. There is a limited transition provision for some existing hormone prescriptions, which we explain in our guide.

This does not mean you lose your entire Medicaid plan or that all gender-affirming care becomes illegal. It changes how these treatments can be paid for. States can use their own money to continue funding care, and some have announced plans to do so.

The Medicaid restriction applies to people younger than 18. Some 18-year-olds covered through CHIP are also affected.

Find out what this means in your state.

We put together a guide covering all 50 states and Washington, D.C., including funding updates from California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

Find your state, see what we could confirm about coverage, and get questions to ask before your next appointment or prescription refill.

Find your state → https://queertransproject.org/medicaid-guide/

Hospitals across the country are caving to federal pressure.

Hospital systems including NYU Langone in New York, UPMC in Pennsylvania, Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, and Connecticut Children’s have reached federal agreements to stop providing certain gender-affirming treatments to minors.

These hospital decisions are separate from the October 13 funding rule. They can affect families with private insurance, too, including in states where care remains legal.

Having coverage doesn’t always mean your current hospital will continue offering care. Contact your care team about upcoming appointments and prescriptions. If your clinic is ending services, ask for help transferring care and getting copies of your records.

Colorado: another threat to care is on the ballot.

Proposition 135, on the November 3 ballot, would prohibit certain gender-related surgeries for minors and restrict public funding for those procedures. It has not passed.

The Colorado Medical Society and the Families Not Politics coalition are among those opposing the measure. Colorado voters, check your registration and make a plan to vote NO on Proposition 135.

Read what the proposal would do.

And now, some good news.

There are people working to protect care and making sure trans young people know they belong.

• California is stepping in to fund care. The state has a funding program intended to preserve affected gender-affirming care for eligible young Medi-Cal and CHIP members. Families should confirm payment arrangements with their provider. Read the state’s guidance.

• A new school is planning for belonging. Brooklyn’s Miss Major Middle plans to welcome its first sixth-grade class in fall 2027. The school centers LGBTQ+ families and allies and is open to all NYC families. Meet the school.

• A community showed up for a trans homecoming queen. After a Pennsylvania student faced online harassment, classmates, teachers, and community members rallied behind her. We love seeing trans young people celebrated and supported. Read her story.

Coming this November: 5,000 free gender-affirming items.

Here at QTP, we’re preparing for our November Build-A-Queer Kit restock, with 5,000 free gender-affirming items for our community.

We’ll share details about requesting items and early access as the restock gets closer. We want more people to have access to essentials that help them feel comfortable and affirmed in their everyday lives.

You don’t have to figure everything out today.

If your care may be affected, start by asking your clinic and insurance plan about your next appointment, your next refill, and available funding options.

And if this information could help someone you know, please pass it along.

You deserve care. You deserve to be celebrated. And you deserve a community that keeps showing up.

With love,

Cielo Sunsarae (they/he)
Founder & Executive Director
The Queer Trans Project

P.S. If giving is within reach, you can help us get free gender-affirming essentials into more hands this November. Your donation supports the supplies, packing, and shipping that make this work possible. 💜

Help us send more!