VCU refusal to see trans patients under 19 action guide

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health has stopped providing gender-affirming care to people under 19 because of a new executive order from Trump that bans federal funding for these treatments, calling them “chemical and surgical mutilation.”

The order gives federal agencies 60 days to start pulling funds from places that keep offering this care, so VCU likely made this move to avoid losing money. The Attorney General of Virginia also supports this ban, adding more pressure on institutions like VCU.

Advocacy groups are speaking out, saying this decision puts trans youth at serious risk, especially since VCU helps thousands of people in the state. VCU hasn’t said much publicly, but their actions suggest they’re trying to stay ahead of any funding cuts.

Sources: https://www.wvtf.org/news/2025-01-30/vcu-clinic-begins-to-comply-with-trumps-transgender-healthcare-ban-on-those-under-19

https://apnews.com/article/trump-transgender-order-passports-prisons-military-3c14ecbdd10f61618384e81624d090fb

https://www.verywellhealth.com/executive-order-to-restrict-gender-affirming-care-8782360

What do we do about it? Call & email our representatives. They work for us.

The VA legislature is currently in session and we have a chance to make our voices heard and to pressure our lawmakers to retaliate against this unlawful attack.

*2/2 edit, we will also target VCU Health Board of Directors, see updated scripts.

Calling is the most impactful thing you can do to get the attention of lawmakers. According to PIRG, everyday your representatives and their senior staff get a report of the 3 most called about topics, sorted by zip code.

Essentially, calls and voice have much more weight than emails. I know that calling can feel intimidating, but we are at the beginning of something much bigger—this is how fascism takes hold. There will be many more battles ahead, and getting on the phone is a comparatively small but crucial step.

Push past the discomfort and make the call. Lawmakers need to hear from you directly. Do it with friends if you need. Use the phone script I provided. Take a deep breath, dial the number, and speak up. This is how we fight back.

Phone Script for Elected Officials

Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am a resident of [Your City/County].

I am calling today because I am outraged by VCU Health’s unlawful decision to deny gender-affirming care to trans youth under 19, citing Trump’s executive order. This is an outright attack on trans people and an abdication of their duty as a public hospital.

There is no legal basis for VCU to deny care to trans youth, and it is your job as an elected official to stop this discrimination against your constituents. Trans healthcare is lifesaving healthcare, and every major medical association agrees. Allowing VCU to cave to political pressure and fearmongering puts lives at risk.

I demand that you take immediate action to ensure that VCU reverses this decision and upholds its duty to provide care to all Virginians, including trans youth. I will be watching closely to see how you respond.

Will you commit to addressing this issue and holding VCU accountable?

(Wait for a response—if they evade or give a non-answer, press them: "I need to know what specific actions you will take to ensure trans youth in Virginia get the healthcare they need.")

Thank you for your time. I expect to see action.

List of RVA Rep contacts*

*Use this link to find the Reps of your county

State Delegate

Betsy B. Carr

District: 78

Party: D

Capitol Phone: (804) 698-1078

District Phone: (804) 698-1078

DelBCarr@house.virginia.gov

State Senator (He’s also a VCU Health board member, light up his phone line!!) (also see properties he owns at the end of the document, info for you to do with as you wish ;)

Lamont Bagby

District: 14

Party: D

Capitol Phone: (804) 698-7514

District Phone: (804) 698-7514

senatorbagby@senate.virginia.gov

U.S. Congress

Jennifer L. McClellan

District: 4

Party: D

info.clerkweb@mail.house.gov

(202) 225-6365

U.S. Senator

Tim Kaine

PHONE: (804) 771-2221

this website link has a comments box

Party: D

U.S. Senator

Mark R. Warner

Party: D

Phone: 202-224-2023

This link has an email contact page

Phone numbers of House Members

Anthony, Bonita G. 92nd 1002 D (804) 698-1092 (757) 204-5492

Arnold, Jonathan E. 46th 802 R (804) 698-1046 (276) 783-8197

Askew, Alex Q. 95th 920 D (804) 698-1095 (757) 453-3168

Austin, Terry L. 37th 708 R (804) 698-1037 (540) 254-1500

Ballard, Jason S. 42nd 805 R (804) 698-1042 (540) 787-5011

Batten, Amanda E. 71st 712 R (804) 698-1071 (757) 741-7001

Bennett-Parker, Elizabeth B. 5th 1105 D (804) 698-1005 (703) 239-3155

Bloxom, Robert S., Jr. 100th 711 R (804) 698-1000 (757) 824-3456

Bulova, David L. 11th 909 D (804) 698-1011 (703) 310-6752

Callsen, Katrina E. 54th 901 D (804) 698-1054 (434) 443-5400

Campbell, Ellen H. 36th 803 R (804) 698-1036 (540) 280-0778

Carr, Betsy B. 78th 1110 D (804) 698-1078 (804) 698-1078

Cherry, Mike A. 74th 706 R (804) 698-1074 (804) 946-1221

Clark, Nadarius E. 84th 820 D (804) 698-1084 (757) 839-4758

Cohen, Laura Jane 15th 821 D (804) 698-1015 (703) 261-9171

Cole, Joshua G. 65th 1020 D (804) 698-1065 (540) 642-0165

Convirs-Fowler, Kelly K. 96th 912 D (804) 698-1096 (757) 364-8428

Cordoza, A.C. 86th 719 R (804) 698-1086 (757) 751-0929

Cousins, Rae C. 79th 917 D (804) 698-1079 (804) 698-1079

Coyner, Carrie E. 75th 710 R (804) 698-1075 (804) 698-1075

Davis, Will P. 39th 717 R (804) 698-1039 (540) 963-5221

Delaney, Karrie K. 9th 1112 D (804) 698-1009 (703) 996-9415

Earley, Mark L., Jr. 73rd 701 R (804) 698-1073 (804) 698-1173

Ennis, N. Baxter 89th 817 R (804) 698-1089 (757) 354-3751

Feggans, Michael 97th 1104 D (804) 698-1097 (757) 204-1524

Fowler, Hyland F. (Buddy), Jr. 59th 1108 R (804) 698-1059 (804) 227-3177

Freitas, Nicholas J. 62nd 716 R (804) 698-1062 (540) 222-7706

Gardner, Debra D. 76th 921 D (804) 698-1076 (804) 698-1076

Garrett, Thomas A., Jr. 56th 720 R (804) 698-1056 (804) 869-4444

Gilbert, C. Todd 33rd 1401 R (804) 698-1033 (540) 459-7550

Glass, Jackie Hope 93rd 1011 D (804) 698-1093 (757) 472-1293

Green, W. Chad, Sr. 69th 816 R (804) 698-1069 (757) 219-2081

Griffin, Timothy P. 53rd 702 R (804) 698-1053 (434) 515-1752

Hayes, C. E. (Cliff), Jr. 91st 1111 D (804) 698-1091 (757) 364-0272

Helmer, Dan 10th 1013 D (804) 698-1010 (571) 445-0251

Henson, Rozia A., Jr. 19th 818 D (804) 698-1019 (804) 698-1019

Hernandez, Phil M. 94th 1103 D (804) 698-1094 (804) 698-1094

Herring, Charniele L. 4th 1402 D (804) 698-1004 (703) 606-9705

Higgins, Geary M. 30th 721 R (804) 698-1030 (804) 698-1030

Hodges, M. Keith 68th 810 R (804) 698-1068 (804) 277-9801

Hope, Patrick A. 1st 709 D (804) 698-1001 (703) 486-1010

Jones, Michael J. 77th 916 D (804) 698-1077 (804) 698-1077

Kent, Hillary Pugh 67th 1018 R (804) 698-1067 (804) 456-8360

Keys-Gamarra, Karen 7th 1001 D (804) 698-1007 (804) 698-1007

Kilgore, Terry G. 45th 1007 R (804) 698-1045 (276) 386-7011

Knight, Barry D. 98th 809 R (804) 698-1098 (757) 426-6387

Krizek, Paul E. 16th 1010 D (804) 698-1016 (703) 688-2983

Laufer, Amy J. 55th 1021 D (804) 698-1055 (540) 251-4603

Leftwich, James A. (Jay), Jr. 90th 1008 R (804) 698-1090 (757) 382-4145

LeVere Bolling, Destiny L. 80th 1101 D (804) 698-1080 (804) 698-1180

Lopez, Alfonso H. 3rd 1014 D (804) 698-1003 (571) 336-2147

Lovejoy, Ian T. 22nd 918 R (804) 698-1022 (571) 774-4322

Maldonado, Michelle Lopes 20th 819 D (804) 698-1020

Marshall, Daniel W., III 49th 807 R (804) 698-1049 (434) 797-5861

Martinez, Fernando J. 29th 904 D (804) 698-1029 (804) 698-1029

McClure, Adele Y. 2nd 1102 D (804) 698-1002 (703) 239-4425

McNamara, Joseph P. 40th 813 R (804) 698-1040 (540) 384-0276

McQuinn, Delores L. 81st 914 D (804) 698-1081 (804) 698-1081

Milde, Paul V., III 64th 1003 R (804) 698-1064 (703) 728-2828

Morefield, James W. (Will) 43rd 808 R (804) 698-1043 (276) 345-4300

Mundon King, Candi 23rd 906 D (804) 698-1023 (540) 227-0836

Oates, Delores 31st 703 R (804) 698-1031 (804) 698-1031

Obenshain, Chris 41st 804 R (804) 698-1041 (804) 647-0372

O'Quinn, Israel D. 44th 713 R (804) 698-1044 (276) 525-1311

Orrock, Robert D., Sr. 66th 1107 R (804) 698-1066 (540) 891-1322

Owen, David L. 57th 718 R (804) 698-1057 (804) 372-0290

Phillips, Eric J. 48th 1004 R (804) 698-1048 (434) 326-5878

Price, Marcia S. (Cia) 85th 911 D (804) 698-1085 (757) 266-5935

Rasoul, Sam 38th 910 D (804) 698-1038 (540) 904-6905

Reaser, Atoosa R. 27th 1016 D (804) 698-1027

Reid, David A. 28th 913 D (804) 698-1028 (703) 662-1395

Runion, Chris 35th 811 R (804) 698-1035 (540) 255-0504

Scott, Don 88th 1403 D (804) 698-1088 (757) 966-7914

Scott, Phillip A. 63rd 919 R (804) 698-1063 (540) 360-3789

Seibold, Holly M. 12th 902 D (804) 698-1012 (804) 698-1012

Sewell, Briana D. 25th 905 D (804) 698-1025 (703) 261-4787

Shin, Irene 8th 1115 D (804) 698-1008 (703) 677-8334

Sickles, Mark D. 17th 1232 D (804) 698-1017 (703) 922-6440

Simon, Marcus B. 13th 1114 D (804) 698-1013 (571) 327-0053

Simonds, Shelly A. 70th 1106 D (804) 698-1070 (757) 276-3022

Singh, J J 26th 1017 D (804) 698-1026

Sullivan, Richard C. (Rip), Jr. 6th 908 D (804) 698-1006 (571) 210-5876

Tata, Anne Ferrell H. 99th 1019 R (804) 698-1099 (757) 213-5193

Taylor, Kimberly A. 82nd 1005 R (804) 698-1082

Thomas, Josh 21st 903 D (804) 698-1021

Torian, Luke E. 24th 1223 D (804) 698-1024 (703) 785-2224

Tran, Kathy KL 18th 1113 D (804) 698-1018 (703) 539-2066

Wachsmann, Howard Otto, Jr. 83rd 704 R (804) 698-1083 (804) 469-0872

Walker, Wendell S. 52nd 812 R (804) 698-1052 (434) 515-2264

Ward, Jeion A. 87th 1009 D (804) 698-1087 (757) 827-5921

Ware, R. Lee 72nd 707 R (804) 698-1072 (804) 598-6696

Watts, Vivian E. 14th 907 D (804) 698-1014 (703) 978-2989

Webert, Michael J. 61st 714 R (804) 698-1061 (540) 999-8218

Wiley, William D. (Bill) 32nd 1006 R (804) 698-1032 (804) 698-1032

Willett, Rodney T. 58th 1012 D (804) 698-1058

Williams, Wren M. 47th 705 R (804) 698-1047 (276) 200-4089

Wilt, Tony O. 34th 814 R (804) 698-1034 (540) 208-0735

Wright, Thomas C., Jr. 50th 1109 R (804) 698-1050 (434) 696-3061

Wyatt, Scott A. 60th 806 R (804) 698-1060 (804) 442-2737

Zehr, Eric 51st 801 R (804) 698-1051 (434) 515-1189

Phone Script for VCU Board of Directors members

Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I am calling because I am outraged by VCU Health’s decision to deny gender-affirming care to trans youth under 19.

This decision is not only medically unethical but also legally baseless. Citing a Trump-era executive order as an excuse is misleading and cowardly. As a public institution, VCU Health has a duty to provide necessary, evidence-based care—not to cave to political pressure or fear.

Every major medical organization, including the AMA and AAP, agrees that gender-affirming care is lifesaving. By denying this care, VCU is putting trans youth at risk of harm, violating its own commitment to healthcare equity, and betraying the trust of the community it serves.

As a member of the Board of Directors, you are directly responsible for this decision. I demand that you take immediate action to reverse this dangerous and discriminatory policy. The people of Virginia will not stand by while public institutions deny essential medical care based on political fearmongering.

What steps are you taking to ensure trans youth at VCU Health receive the care they need?

(Wait for a response. If they deflect, press them: "You have the power to change this. Will you commit to reversing this harmful decision?")

Thank you for your time. I expect real action, not silence.

List of VCU Health Board of Directors Member Contacts

State Senator (He’s also a VCU Health board member, light up his phone line!!)

Lamont Bagby

District: 14

Party: D

Capitol Phone: (804) 698-7514

District Phone: (804) 698-7514

senatorbagby@senate.virginia.gov

Hem Bhardwaj, M.D.

Associate Professor

School of Medicine Internal Medicine

(804) 828-9987

Diana F. Cantor Partner, Alternative Investment Management, LLC (she’s on the board of directors of several franchises, ask to leave her a message & annoy her lines at all 3)

(804) 254-3789

212.202.1810

(212) 557-6191

Steven DeLuca Vice President, Head of State & Local Government Affairs Capital One Financial (found 2 numbers, reach out to svprather94@gmail.com if they don’t work)

(703) 720-1000

804-787-1515

Laurence DiNardo, M.D., F.A.C.S.

(804) 828-2785

George Emerson Founder, CEO

(206) 684-7999

(804) 530-4614

The Honorable Peter Farrell Managing Partner, Tuckahoe Holdings

(804) 644-6000

Ellen M. Fitzsimmons

(314) 621-3222

Richard R. Grinnan

If you are going to email, I advise that you make it a daily habit for it to make an impact/ annoy reps. Wake up, have a coffee, copy paste email, copy paste. Or, don’t think about it at all and just automate them, how to link here.

Below is a copy/paste email you can use, or I encourage you to write your own in your own voice. Use AI if you have to.

When emailing, just write/ paste one email and blind copy as many reps as you can from the below contact lists.

“Bcc” in your “to” bar is blind copy, meaning one email goes to all recipients without them knowing it went to many recipients. They can only see it as received from you, the sender.

Don’t forget to put your own name and city before sending the email!! I highlighted it for you to change.

Copy-Paste Email to Lawmakers

Subject: Demand Action Against VCU’s Unlawful Denial of Trans Healthcare

Hello,

I am writing as a constituent deeply outraged by VCU Health’s decision to deny gender-affirming care to trans youth under 19, citing Trump’s executive order that does not legally require them to do so. This is an unacceptable attack on trans people and a violation of their duty as a public hospital.

Every major medical association affirms that gender-affirming care is medically necessary and lifesaving. VCU’s refusal to provide it puts trans youth at direct risk and sets a dangerous precedent for discrimination in healthcare.

It is your responsibility as an elected official to stop this blatant discrimination against your constituents. I demand that you take immediate action to:

Hold VCU accountable and ensure they reinstate trans youth healthcare immediately.
Publicly condemn this discriminatory decision.
Push for legislative or legal action to prevent hospitals from refusing essential care to trans people.

I will be watching closely to see what steps you take to protect trans youth in Virginia. Silence or inaction is complicity.

I expect your response and, more importantly, your action.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City/County]