Boston Children's Hospital Criticized Over Trans Youth Surgery Resources

A prominent hospital's resources on gender transition procedures for children sparked criticism and claims of misinformation online.

Boston Children's Hospital (BCH), the first hospital in the U.S. with a youth "Gender Multispecialty Services" program, was accused of promoting and performing hysterectomies for young girls. A video on BCH's YouTube channel showed one of its doctors detailing "gender-affirming hysterectomies." The video, which was part of a longer series of BCH resources on transition procedures, is now hidden from the public.

A statement from the hospital Tuesday said it "does not—and will not—perform a hysterectomy as part of gender-affirming care on a patient under the age of 18" since it "requires a patient to be capable of consenting for themselves." It also said it had been targeted by "a large volume of hostile internet activity" and "threats of violence towards our clinicians and staff" in response to the video.

Right-rated sources covered the story more than left- and center-rated sources. Some on the right accused the hospital of advancing "illogical and destructive gender ideology" and suggested that the hospital performs hysterectomies for children. Left- and center-rated news outlets framed that as misinformation, and focused on "right-wing threats and harassment" against the hospital. Other sources, such as Epoch Times (Lean Right bias), highlighted BCH resources that suggest looser age requirements for other gender transition surgeries, such as vaginoplasty and chest augmentation.