Transgender
Gender-affirming care statement
Updated February 25, 2025 l 8:15 a.m.
This is an update regarding gender-affirming care for youth under 19 years of age at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU and VCU Health. This is in response to the White House Executive Order and the letter received from the Virginia Attorney General issued in late January.
After broad and careful evaluation, effective Tuesday, February 25, Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU and VCU Health will adhere to the following for patients under the age of 19:
- To resume, if appropriate, gender-affirming medications for existing patients.
- In parallel, as soon as feasible, to transfer the care of existing patients requiring gender-affirming medication and/or surgeries to non-VCU Health providers.
- For new patients seeking gender-affirming care, to provide education, counseling and mental health services.
- To continue our suspension of gender-affirming care surgeries.
We will continue to keep you informed regarding this evolving situation. We are grateful for your support as we navigate these times and continue to advocate with a focus on the health of our patients and providers.
Gender-affirming care frequently asked questions
February 25, 2025 l 8:15 a.m.
Effective Tuesday, February 25, VCU Health and Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU have resumed, if appropriate, gender-affirming medications for existing patients. The suspension of gender-affirming care surgeries continues. Our doors remain open to all patients and their families for screening, counseling, mental health care and all other health care needs.
Though we are not accepting new patients for medication treatment and surgery, we continue to provide education, counseling and mental health services for new patients seeking gender-affirming care. We have significantly increased the availability of mental health care providers, social workers and counselors in our pediatric facilities and emergency room.
Screening, counseling and general medical and mental health care continue to be available for all patients. We encourage you to speak with your medical provider about specific questions related to your health care.
We will continue to keep you informed regarding this evolving situation. We are grateful for your support as we navigate these times and continue to advocate with a focus on the health of our patients and providers.
Gender-affirming care: Defining, belonging and thriving
We hope that every family that walks through our doors feels safe, loved, and affirmed and we are here to work with families to extend this support into the home and community. We are dedicated to providing gender-affirming care that is patient-centered to support each youth's gender journey.
Becoming who you were meant to be: Our care team is in your corner
Our specialists in endocrinology and adolescent medicine work together to provide well-rounded care for children and teens in a gender-friendly environment.
Care is tailored to each patient and may include:
- Medical evaluation
- Medical hormone management
- Prescription medications
- Mental health care
- Voice therapy
- Letters of medical necessity to address hormone treatment, school issues and/or surgery (as needed)
- Referrals to other medical and surgical specialists (as needed)
- Referrals to peer and family support groups
- Educational materials
Gender-affirming care road map
Once you call to schedule your initial visit, our team will share our gender-affirming care pre-visit road map to help ensure we have all the documentation we need and most importantly, to let you know what to expect along the way. We look forward to caring for your family.
- You'll be asked to submit medical records from your primary care physician and counselor/therapist (if applicable)
- Photo identification (parent/guardian)
- Insurance card
- Medical records (if you were unable to have them faxed directly to the clinic)
Your first visit will include an intake and informative session. This session will NOT commit you to one set treatment plan. It's an opportunity for us to learn more about you and for you to learn about care options. Your first visit will also include:
- Physical assessment/exam
- Baseline labs (these can be drawn onsite or at another CHoR location at a later date)
- Based on the age of the patient, the doctor may request to conduct a one-on-one discussion to better assess the patient's understanding and readiness for care
- Gender-affirming medications will not be prescribed at the first visit, as the doctor will need to complete a thorough assessment, including reviewing labs, prior to prescribing medication
- Our team will be by your side throughout the development of your care plan.
- Our team of endocrinologists, adolescent medicine specialists and psychologists will work to ensure we're addressing all of your medical and mental health care needs.
- We're with you every step of the way! Don't hesitate to ask questions or for referrals to community resources.
Gender resources
It's a boy! It's a girl! Gender is often defined by the external sex organs of an individual and is assigned at birth. But gender identity comes from the brain. It's an individual's psychological sense of their own maleness, femaleness or nonbinary-ness and it cannot be determined by another person.
The traditional model of gender identity was binary, meaning there were only the two choices: male or female, but there are many individuals who don't feel they fit into either category or report that their gender identity doesn't match their body. Learning about the terms currently used to describe gender can increase our understanding of what a child may be experiencing in this regard. This can also promote acceptance, which is so important, as acceptance, especially from family members, protects these youth from depression, suicidal thoughts and other risk factors
He She Ze and We
He She Ze and We serves families with transgender loved ones through support, education and advocacy.
Side by Side
Dedicated to creating supportive communities where Virginia's LGBTQ youth can define themselves, belong and flourish.
Gender Spectrum
Global online community for gender-expansive teens, their families and support professionals to connect, collaborate and find resources.
Family Acceptance Project
A research, intervention, education and policy initiative that works to prevent health and mental health risks for LGBTQ children and youth including homelessness, suicide and HIV in context of their family, cultures and faith communities.