Human rights advocates outside Rush University Medical Center. The center sign reads “They’ll never let you kee pthe money – FIGHT BACK NOW”. 500 S Wood St, 7/17/25.

By Dominic Guanzon

Thursday, 7/17/25

ILLINOIS MEDICAL DISTRICT, CHICAGO – About 75 protesters gathered at a park adjacent to Rush University Medical Center to protest the hospital’s pause on gender-affirming care for children and teens two days prior.

Demonstrating at the same time as the much-bigger “Good Trouble” rally at Daley Plaza, a slate of speakers admonished the hospital system for abandoning a local minority and obeying in advance of the Trump administration.

“[Rush] specifically violates the bodily autonomy sanctuary city ordinance and the Illinois Human Rights Act,” claimed Elena Gormley, former co-chair of the Chicago branch of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and master of ceremonies for the rally.

“Hospitals are supposed to deliver care and comfort and healing and be there at people’s worst moments of their lives. Hospitals are not supposed to inflict pain and suffering and create the worst moments for people’s lives, especially for one of the most vulnerable populations, which is trans and gender non-conforming youth.”

The protest was led by the Chicago DSA, and attended by other organizations including the Chicago Socialist Alternative, Chicago Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), and the Gay Liberation Network (GLN), among others.

*Master of ceremonies Elena Gormley (center). 500 S Wood St, 7/17/25.*

Melia Delaney, a nurse part of the Illinois Nurses Association (INA), spoke on her unique position as a trans healthcare provider.

“The first time I ever came out to a nurse in a professional capacity, I was told, ‘oh, that’s just a fad.’ This was in a professional capacity during my EMS clinical. As a health care professional, I have seen providers, administrators, and unfortunately fellow nurses fail their trans patients time and time again due to ignorance, exhaustion, fear, and bigotry clouding the values behind what we do…I believe as healthcare professionals, we can do better.”

Delaney then drew comparisons between the Nazi persecution of sexologist and LGBTQ advocate Magnus Hirschfeld, and today.

“Once again, the politics of this era ask us all: Will we turn [our] backs on the powerless and those with the least voice? On our own children?…I want to ask the health care providers and the administrators here at Lurie’s and Rush, how will history remember you?”

Protesters outside Rush University Medical Center during speeches. A protester’s sign reads, in part, “RUSH to care – NOT to compliance!” 500 S Wood St, 7/17/25.

Lurie Children’s Hospital was also a target of criticism for the same policy change back in February, being frequently mentioned by speakers alongside Rush. The following day, July 18th, UChicago Medical Center announced it was also discontinuing gender-affirming care, further exacerbating a domino effect of abandonment in Chicagoland’s trans community.

“This is just becoming a habit of these private hospital systems denying trans youth care,” said Chicago DSA co-chair Lyra Spencer. A trans woman herself, Spencer spoke on how Rush and Lurie’s were effectively obeying in advance of the mere pressure of funding cuts from the White House.

“There’s currently no law in place that is forcing their hand to do these kinds of actions. They’re just doing it to save their bottom line. And so we’re out here to let these hospitals know that the community does not support you. This is life saving, gender affirming care, and we will rally to oppose these kinds of bans.”

*A protest sign resting against a speaker stand reading “Rush + Lurie’s are BREAKING THE LAW” 500 S Wood St, 7/17/25.*

Executive Order 14187, the disingenuously-named “PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM CHEMICAL AND SURGICAL MUTILATION,” was issued on January 28th, and threatened to cut federal funding for healthcare providers that did not follow it. However, the EO had been in legal limbo after a federal judge instituted a nationwide block on it back in March, which is still in contention. However, hospitals across the nation appear to be declining care ahead of any final say in the courts.

Nova from Socialist Alternative called for strikes from healthcare personnel in the face of growing anti-trans policy.

“We need to call on rank and file of the healthcare unions, like NNU (National Nurses United), like INA…and more to stand up in solidarity with transgender patients of all ages. We need strikes by nurses, doctors and other medical center staff to show that the people on the front lines of health care, not the CEOs and not the shareholders, understand the lifesaving benefits of gender-affirming care and are willing to withhold their labor to ensure its return.”

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), a frequent speaker at many leftist events, also made a stump speech, echoing Ald. Jessie Fuentes’ (26th) July 17th introduced resolution condemning both Lurie’s and Rush hospitals.

About 12 CPD officers were present at the protest with police bikes and vehicles, observing from a distance. No incidents were observed during a majority of the event.

Rush Medical’s Website Shows What It’s Leaving Behind

“Gender-Affirming Care” webpage on the Rush Medical site, claiming it is a “safe, welcoming space.” Below is a box proclaiming Rush to be “A Leader In Healthcare Equity.” Accessed 7/17/25.

As of this writing, four related pages appear when searching for “Gender-Affirming Care” on the Rush website. The first, “Gender-Affirming Care,” explains how “Rush is a safe, welcoming space that offers a full range of clinical and supportive services from providers who specialize in gender identity.”

That statement is now brought into question amid Rush’s decision to leave behind any care for trans children.

Another page called “Commitment to LGBTQ+ Health Care” has Rush claim to have “a history of being a champion for the LGBTQ+ community,” and maintain a “commitment to equity of care for the LGBTQ+ community extends to all aspects of our institution — from patient care and clinical expertise to employment opportunities and employee benefits.”

This no longer appears to be the case as of Tuesday the 15th.

Other pages that showcase Rush’s suite of proven, safe medical procedures include “Nonsurgical Gender-Affirmation Treatments” (hormone therapy, voice and speech therapy), “Gender Affirmation Surgery” (facial reconstruction, top surgery, genital/bottom surgery, body contouring). Of the healthcare that could be accessed by new patients who are minors, none can be now.

A page entitled “LGBTQ+ Care” reads as follows:

“Physical health can also be greatly affected from long-standing internalized stigma, trauma and socioeconomic disparities, putting you and your loved ones at greater risk for conditions and diseases, including the following:

– Alcohol, tobacco and substance misuse

– Anxiety

– Eating disorders

– Mood disorders

– Suicide and suicidal thoughts”

Ironically, these series of inequalities and medical ailments – that Rush admits trans people suffer from – are now likelier to affect the minors it is now denying coverage to.

It also acknowledges that “LGBTQ+ people deserve the same quality of health care as their cisgender/heterosexual peers, but gaps exist in the system that lead to health disparities.”

With the new policy at Rush, they have now admitted to being part of that gap.

“LGBTQ+ Care” webpage on the Rush Medical site, describing a series of inequalities and medical ailments that LGBTQ people suffer, which are now likelier to affect the minors it is now denying coverage to. Accessed 7/17/25.

Correction: Elena Gormley was listed as a current co-chair of the Chicago DSA, when she, in fact, recently concluded her term.