Public Demands Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Restore Gender-Affirming Care for Youth
Milwaukee, WI — On Monday, August 17, 2026, members of Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee (RJAM) hand-delivered more than 1,028 petition signatures from members of the public demanding that Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin (CHW) resume gender-affirming care for youth.
The petition was circulated over a two-month period and calls on CHW to restore pharmacologic care for patients seeking gender-affirming treatment. Comments included with the petition and delivered to CHW CEO Gil Peri include the following:
“As a trans person and healthcare provider in Milwaukee, I add my voice to this demand. This is not a time to break trust, but a time to build trust in your providers, your patients, your families, and the advocates who support and stand with you.”
Another petition signer commented:
“My own child has been denied GAC from Children’s. Children’s would say otherwise, but the hoops they make people jump through are very much a problem. We did everything they asked, for over 2 years, and then we had an appointment that we thought was to get started on hormones, and were told we had to start over from the beginning because of how long it had been.”
RJAM stands proudly with more than 65 Wisconsin organizations, faith communities, and businesses that signed Fair Wisconsin’s coalition letter in May. In addition to the 1,028 petition signatures RJAM delivered to Children’s Wisconsin, a separate petition directed at both UW Health and Children’s has collected more than 500 signatures.
Footage of RJAM delivering the petition signatures to Gil Peri and CHW offices can be found at instagram.com/reproductivejusticeaction.
RJAM has yet to receive a response from Gil Peri or CHW Leadership, despite repeated attempts for comment.
RJAM is a grassroots organization in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We are fighting for Reproductive Justice for all, and standing in opposition of the system(s) that deny human rights. We are committed to insisting Milwaukee County provides firm support to all those seeking equitable reproductive healthcare.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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