Newsletter: Finding gender-affirming care in San Diego just got harder. Here’s how to help.
Plus, tensions rise between local activists and San Diego mayor Todd Gloria over ICE
Rady Children’s Hospital announced last week that it would be closing its Center for Gender-Affirming Care and canceling new and pending appointments for the center’s patients under 19.
The closure leaves few options locally for minors seeking gender-affirming care. Daylight spoke with activists, community members, nonprofit leaders and LGBTQ+ individuals who are personally connected to this issue with a central question in mind: Where do we go from here?
Myshell Thomas and Kathie Moehlig, both leaders in transgender rights advocacy and resource providers, said tapping into local community LGBTQ+ centers is key to navigating spaces where less gender-affirming care is available.
Thomas, who is the coordinator for the Gender Advocacy Project at the North County LGBTQ Resource Center, said community centers like hers guide those in need to safe spaces for physical and mental health care.
The North County LGBTQ Resource Center and TransFamily Support Services, where Moehlig is executive director, provide health insurance advising, school advocacy and training, community gender-affirming activities, and support groups.
“What I see with my support group is people riddled with anxiety and riddled with confusion as to what they're going to do,” Thomas said. “And then they find out…there's other people [with shared experiences] and it starts to let them know that there is a solution.”
Moehlig, who is the executive director of TransFamily Support Services, said her team has been telling families for months to prepare for degradation of youth gender-affirming care in San Diego.
“We were…making sure that they had a year’s supply of their medication, their labs were done, really trying to be as proactive as possible, so that the folks weren't feeling like the rug was pulled out from under them,” Moehlig said. “Still, many families feel that way and feel very betrayed by Rady.”
Moehlig said she won’t make public where families are now going for medical care.
“We have to protect our providers, because the federal government wants to know who they are — that's why they're going after these institutions,” she said.
Both Thomas and Moehlig said it’s crucial to keep the true “villain” in mind: the federal government. To Thomas, the “radicalized right-wing” is responsible for these life-altering changes. She said they will continue to strip away rights to all gender-affirming care, even for adults.
Here are several other local organizations in addition to those mentioned above working to support gender-affirming care if you’re seeking resources in light of these changes or want to support people impacted locally.
- The San Diego LGBT Community Center: Project TRANS through the center offers peer-led support groups, referrals for hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries for trans and non-binary individuals, in addition to help with legal name and gender changes. They can be contacted at 619-692-2077.
- Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest: This branch provides medical care, social and legal support and educational resources through its Transgender Health and Wellness Resource Center that can be contacted at 858-352-6015.
- PFLAG San Diego County: This national organization provides local care through educational resources, support groups and advocacy action plans. It can be contacted at 619–333-6154.
Thomas also suggests contacting elected officials, calling on them to fight back on federal efforts to stifle gender-affirming care. The elected officials for San Diego include:
- Senator Adam Schiff
- Senator Alex Padilla
- State Senator Steve Padilla
- Congressman Mike Levin: 49th District (Oceanside, Camp Pendleton, Vista, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar etc.)
- Congressman Scott Peters: 50th District (Coronado, San Marcos, Escondido, etc.)
- Congresswoman Sara Jacobs: 51st District (San Diego, El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, La Presa, etc.)
- Congressman Juan Vargas: 52nd District (San Diego, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, along the Mexican border, etc.)
- Congressman Darrell Issa: 48th District: Escondido, Fallbrook, Bonsall, Valley Center, Ramona, Santee, Poway, Lakeside, Alpine, etc.
Elected officials and their contact information can be found at each link above, and search for your representatives at USA.gov.
— Sam Barney-Gibbs
Protestors stand up against end of gender-affirming care at Rady Children’s Hospital
TransFamily Support Services and the Alliance for TransYouth Rights called on the community to protest the closure of Rady Children’s Hospital’s Center for Gender-Affirming Care. They reported that as of Feb. 6, new and pending appointments for patients under 19 will be canceled.
— Sam Barney-Gibbs and Lauren J. Mapp
Growing rift between mayor and activists
Six people spent last Friday in part of the mayor's office, saying that they would not leave until they spoke with Mayor Todd Gloria about Immigration and Customs Enforcement and San Diego police. Police arrested them after the building closed, and the mayor issued a statement saying they had created a “public safety hazard” and that they intimidated city employees. The activists are pushing back, saying they were not violent and that Gloria should have just met with them.
— Kate Morrissey
Six people died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in the first two weeks of 2026. An AI tool mistakenly funneled new ICE recruits to a shortened training program. And, a Los Angeles outlet ranked recently released anti-ICE songs. Here's what happened in immigration news this week.
— Kate Morrissey
Weekend Energy: Jan. 29 to Feb. 4
From a candlelight vigil to honor the life of Alex Pretti to the reopening of a garden at Morse High School, here’s what’s going on in San Diego this week.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Other news
The nomination period for the June election for city councilmember candidates representing Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8 opens Feb. 4 with a group orientation and closes March 5. Potential candidates must show up in person at City Hall to obtain nomination papers.
The city of San Diego filed a lawsuit against federal agencies over razor wire installed by U.S. Marines on city land near the Mexican border, CalMatters reported. The suit alleges trespassing, harm to sensitive habitats, lack of access to the site, and construction without environmental review, notice or city approval.
San Diego County supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Paloma Aguirre proposed a $4.75 million plan for immediate infrastructure work and health studies at a sewage hot spot along the Tijuana River near Saturn Boulevard in Iris Gardens. KPBS reported that the county would use its recently freed emergency funds and target toxic gas exposure identified by UC San Diego researchers.
A proposal to tax vacation rentals and vacant second homes in San Diego was rejected by the City Council Rules Committee, Times of San Diego reported. Members raised concerns about legal challenges, tourism impacts and limited revenue, despite revisions narrowing the focus to corporate and absentee owners.
The Port of San Diego secured $200,000 in new grant funding to combat invasive Caulerpa algae in San Diego Bay, the port announced in a press release. The fast-spreading species discovered in 2023 threatens eelgrass habitats. Eradication will require two years of monitoring, as divers survey and use non-toxic, porous mats that suppress underwater vegetation.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 29
‘Come On In’: Actor Genevieve Flores is performing her one woman show “Come On In,” which focuses on the highs and lows of mental health. Tickets are pay what you can and range from $10 to $30 online. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Elementary Institute of Science. Jan. 29 and 30, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Elementary Institute of Science, 608 51st St., San Diego, CA 92114
Vigil for Alex Pretti: Nurses from UC San Diego Health and Veterans Affairs are hosting a candlelight vigil in honor of Alex Pretti, a VA nurse who was fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minneapolis. Event organizers are asking the community to call their senators to oppose additional funding to the Department of Homeland Security budget and the abolishment of ICE. 7:30 - 8:30 p.m., VA Medical Center La Jolla, 9598 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093
Jan. 30
Palestine Unfiltered: People, Power & Displacement: The Islamic Center of San Diego is hosting a community conversation and screening of “The Endgame,” a documentary about the war on Gaza and the massive displacement of Palestinians. The event is being co-hosted by Students for Justice in Palestine, Islamic Center of San Diego, CAIR California, American Muslims for Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace. 5:45 p.m., Islamic Center of San Diego, 7050 Eckstrom Ave., San Diego, CA 92111
Jan. 31
Willow Tree Propagation: Tree San Diego and Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy are leading a volunteer activity to stabilize the riverbank by harvesting and planting willow cuttings. Volunteers are asked to wear long pants, sunscreen, and hiking boots or close-toed shoes, and to bring a water bottle. RSVP and sign a volunteer waiver online. 8 - 11:30 a.m., 12108 Industry Road, Lakeside, CA 92040
Utilities 101 Training: SanDiego350 is leading a workshop on organizing against San Diego Gas & Electric in an effort to reduce electricity rates in the region. Light refreshments will be provided, and questions can be sent to Parke Troutman at parke.troutman@sandiego350.org. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Register for free online. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., San Diego Education Association, 10393 San Diego Mission Road, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92108
M(other) Tongue: The San Diego Central Library is hosting an opening reception for M(other) Tongue in the Judith Harris Art Gallery, featuring artists who work with textiles to show the connections between migration, art and cultural traditions. The exhibit features work by Leila Khalizadeh Aghdami, Chitra Gopalakrishnan, Kirstyn Hom, Yasmine Kasem and Shirin Towfiq. DJ Mae or Mae Not will play a live vinyl set during the opening. Free. 4 - 6 p.m., San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Feb. 1
Fungus Fair : The San Diego Mycological Society is hosting its 29th annual Fungus Fair. The event will have food, speakers, arts and crafts, science demonstrations, vendors and live specimens. The event is free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Casa del Prado in Balboa Park 1650 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101
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