SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Tony Hoang in response to California Attorney General Rob Bonta's lawsuit against Rady Children's Hospital for ending transition-related care for transgender young people:

"Equality California applauds Attorney General Bonta for taking decisive legal action to hold Rady Children's Hospital accountable for unlawfully ending medically necessary health care for transgender youth. This lawsuit sends a clear message: hospitals and health care providers are bound by the law and will be held accountable if they abandon patients or ignore their legal obligations under the guise of political pressure.

Rady's abrupt decision to end care left patients and their families in crisis without access to vital medications and without adequate time to secure alternative treatment. In doing so, Rady's violated multiple California laws and jeopardized the health and well-being of transgender young people.

Transgender health care is evidence-based, legally protected, and supported by every U.S. medical and mental health association. Attorney General Bonta's lawsuit is a critical step toward restoring access to care and ensuring that institutions entrusted with children's health uphold both the law and their moral responsibility to patients.

Transgender young people and their families deserve dignity, stability, and access to the medically necessary care they need to thrive. Equality California is grateful for Attorney General Bonta's leadership and will continue working alongside state leaders, advocates, and health care partners to defend access to care and protect transgender Californians from discrimination."

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