Full Breakdown
NYC Pride Marshals Demand Hospital Exclusion Over Gender-Affirming Care Rollbacks
6/26/2026, 5:26:06 AM
GLM Letter
GLM issued an open letter signed by 20 NYC Pride grand marshals and 14 LGBTQ+ groups, urging Heritage of Pride to bar any hospital that has ended, restricted or suspended gender-affirming care for trans youth from the 2026 Pride march. GLM picketed nearly 100 activists at three hospitals. Signatories include Bowen Yang, Peppermint, Dominique Jackson and Jay Walker.
Federal Pressure
Since the Trump administration began targeting gender-affirming care, hospitals NYU Langone Health, Mount Sinai and New York Presbyterian halted or limited services for minors, citing cuts and litigation. New York Presbyterian removed youth-care references.
Signatories
The petition lists 20 grand marshals, 14 LGBTQ+ collectives, 22 LGBTQ+ leaders, and 33 parents of trans youth. 100 activists picketed three health systems.
Key Figures
Eliel Cruz coordinated the effort. Marshals who signed include Bowen Yang, Peppermint, Dominique Jackson and Jay Walker (Gays Against Guns). Former Raquel Willis, Michelle Visage, TS Madison, Ceyenne Doroshow, Jazz Jennings endorsed. Supporting groups: Campaign for Southern Equality, Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network, and Trans Formative Schools (Alaina Daniels).
Official Statements
Heritage of Pride said it will be “connecting local advocates with leadership of these institutions to continue dialogue.” Jay Walker warned hospitals they should withdraw from marching if they harm members, and Alaina Daniels highlighted that gay nurses and trans med techs who work in the system bear impact. Letter notes not all hospital staff support restrictions and points to New York Presbyterian’s lack of an explicit policy.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
New York Presbyterian has not announced a halt to gender-affirming care for minors but has removed youth-care references from its website, creating uncertainty about its current policy.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics say hospital cuts harm trans youth and staff, urging institutions to withdraw from Pride until care resumes.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If one group of people’s healthcare can be targeted in this way, it opens the door for any group of people’s healthcare to be cut off due to federal government attacks,” — Eliel Cruz, co-founder, Gender Liberation Movement
- “You can’t march in a Pride parade while you are damaging the lives of members of our community,” — Jay Walker, 2026 marshal, Gays Against Guns
- “It’s the gay nurses and trans med techs—the people who have to work in that system,” — Alaina Daniels, executive director, Trans Formative Schools
- “Each year, we are tested against the values of our ancestors and transcestors during Pride,” — Raquel Willis, co-founder, Gender Liberation Movement
Next Steps
The petition urges Heritage of Pride to decide by Monday whether to exclude the named hospitals. NYC Pride March is set for June 28, 2026; the decision will signal the organization’s stance on trans-youth health policy.
