Healthcare, Not Politics: The Case for Gender Affirming Care

On February 17, H3RC joined community leaders and advocates at the second annual Queer Day at the Capitol, hosted by the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission. The day featured panels and community exhibitors raising awareness about issues impacting LGBTQ+ communities across Hawaiʻi.

H3RC sponsored and facilitated the morning panel titled “Healthcare, Not Politics: The Case for Gender Affirming Care.” The discussion brought together leaders working at the intersection of healthcare, policy, and community advocacy, including Dr. Rick Ramirez, H3RC Gender Affirming Care clinician; Maddie Sesepasara, H3RC Kuaʻana Project Manager; Mandy Fernandes, Policy Director at the ACLU of Hawaiʻi; and Abby Alana Simmons, Chair of the Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi.

Panelists spoke about the urgent need to pass HB 1875, the Gender Affirming Care Shield Law, which would protect both providers and recipients of gender affirming care in Hawaiʻi. As speakers emphasized, this legislation is not symbolic. It is essential to safeguarding access to medically necessary care that has been shown to save lives. HB 1875 ensures that medical decision-making remains where it belongs: between patients, their healthcare providers, and their families.

For some panelists, the issue is deeply personal. Both Maddie Sesepasara and Abby Alana Simmons shared their own experiences as trans women and how access to gender affirming care was critical to their health and wellbeing. Dr. Ramirez also highlighted the ongoing shortage of healthcare providers in Hawaiʻi, particularly clinicians trained in gender affirming care. Mandy Fernandes helped contextualize the national landscape, discussing the growing wave of legislation targeting transgender communities and the importance of protecting access to care here at home.

Mahalo to ʻŌlelo Community Media, which recorded the discussion. The full panel is available to watch on YouTube.