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Investigation Uncovers Covert Gender Transition Services for Minors

Investigation Uncovers Covert Gender Transition Services for Minors

An undercover investigation by Sage Ops has revealed that New York nonprofits are providing gender transition services to minors without parental consent, funded by federal money.

A recent undercover investigation conducted by the citizen journalism group Sage Ops has uncovered that several nonprofit organizations in New York have been facilitating gender transition services for minors without parental consent. This controversial practice, uncovered through hidden camera footage, is reportedly backed by substantial federal funding.

The investigation focused on the Ali Forney Center, where Health Services Coordinator Nadia S., who identifies as trans, was recorded detailing their approach to handling minors seeking gender transition. "We’re mandated reporters, we’re mandated to call ACS. We don’t contact the parents," Nadia stated, referring to the Administration for Children’s Services. The center's staff view any parental objection to a child's desire to transition as a form of abuse. Nadia elaborated that they sometimes need to advocate with the ACS and may utilize a 'Family Crisis Contract' to protect the child.

Furthermore, the investigation found that minors are often placed in confidential housing quickly, prioritizing their privacy and autonomy over parental involvement. "The medical part can happen relatively swiftly," Nadia added, emphasizing the secrecy of these operations.

Maria Mendoza, a licensed clinical social worker at the Office of Children and Family Services, confirmed that Child Protective Services (CPS) workers actively support minors in accessing transition services. "A 16-year-old child can get the care she wants – she's allowed to make her own choices," Mendoza said, highlighting the role of CPS in guiding minors through the transition process.

This practice extends to the Institute for Family Health, a partner of the Ali Forney Center, where Associate Regional Director Lindarey Gonzalez disclosed that they provide gender-affirming care without requiring parental consent. She contrasted this with standard medical services, which typically involve parental involvement due to insurance billing.

Financial records from the investigation show that these organizations have received over $180 million from the Department of Health and Human Services since 2020, including nearly $10 million in 2025 and approximately $150 million in Medicaid reimbursements.

The revelation comes in the wake of recent executive orders signed by President Trump in January 2025, aiming to withdraw federal funding from institutions providing gender transition treatments to individuals under 19. Some medical facilities, like NYU Langone and Children’s National, have already suspended such services for minors to comply with the new directives.

During the undercover recording, Gonzalez expressed concerns about the potential impact of these policy changes. "The biggest risk we could face is if the Trump administration decides to withhold the federal piece of Medicaid dollars," she stated, referencing Elon Musk's influence on reducing federal spending and his public stance against gender transition procedures for minors.

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The Flipside: Different Perspectives

Progressive View

The findings of the Sage Ops investigation into gender transition services for minors must be examined within the broader context of LGBTQ+ rights and the struggles faced by transgender youth. It is imperative to consider the nuanced circumstances in which minors may seek gender-affirming care without parental consent. For many young people, particularly those in unsupportive or abusive home environments, these services can be life-saving.

Organizations like the Ali Forney Center and the Institute for Family Health are responding to a critical need by offering confidential support and medical care to at-risk transgender youth. The ability for minors to access these services autonomously can be seen as an extension of New York's progressive stance on individual rights and health care autonomy. The involvement of CPS and other social services highlights an institutional recognition of the unique needs of transgender minors.

While the use of federal funding in these situations is contentious, it is worth noting that the funds are being allocated to support vulnerable segments of the population who may otherwise have no recourse. The progressive viewpoint would argue for the continued provision of these services and for policies that protect the rights of transgender individuals, particularly minors who may lack alternative support systems.

The executive orders to withdraw federal funding for gender transition treatments for individuals under 19 are seen as a step back for transgender rights. Advocates within the progressive community are likely to call for a more compassionate approach that balances the rights of minors to access gender-affirming care with the concerns of parental involvement and consent.

Conservative View

The investigation by Sage Ops has brought to light a disturbing reality: taxpayer-funded nonprofits in New York are providing gender transition services to minors without parental consent. This practice not only undermines parental rights but also raises significant ethical and legal concerns. It is alarming that these organizations consider parental opposition to gender transition as potential child abuse, essentially sidelining parents in critical decisions affecting their children's health and well-being.

The federal funding implicated in these covert operations is equally concerning. With over $180 million in federal money channeled to these nonprofits since 2020, taxpayers are unwittingly supporting a practice many may find objectionable. The recent executive orders by President Trump represent a necessary step in ensuring federal funds are not used to circumvent parental authority or to promote controversial medical interventions on minors.

Parents are the primary caretakers and decision-makers for their children, and any medical intervention, especially one as life-altering as gender transition, should not be carried out secretly. The conservative stance emphasizes the sanctity of the family unit and the critical role parents play in guiding their children through complex life decisions. The swift action by some medical facilities to suspend these services in response to the new federal directives is a positive move toward reinstating the proper role of parents and responsible governance of taxpayer dollars.

Common Ground

Despite the differences in viewpoints, there is potential common ground in the commitment to safeguarding the well-being of minors. Both conservative and progressive sides can agree that the health and safety of young people are paramount. Ensuring that medical practices are ethical, legal, and conducted with appropriate oversight is a shared goal.

There may also be agreement that minors in particularly vulnerable situations require special consideration and support. Finding a balanced approach that respects parental rights while also protecting the interests of minors who may be in distressing situations might be a point of convergence. The need for transparent use of taxpayer funds is another aspect where both sides could find commonality, advocating for accountability in how federal money is allocated and used.