"velociraptors testing the fences"

Shame on spineless cis folks for banning adult trans healthcare

Author

Sandy Allen
October 18, 2025

Welcome to What’s Helping Today, a newsletter about the everyday work of staying alive on earth — written by author and journalist Sandy Ernest Allen.

Hi folks,

Shame on this big healthcare provider in Boston for limiting adult trans healthcare:

Fenway Health Restricts Treatment for Patients Under 19 In Capitulation To Trump

“This is a fundamental betrayal to the core mission of Fenway and the patients they serve.”

www.erininthemorning.com/p/fenway-health-restricts-treatment

Banning trans healthcare for 18yos is velociraptors testing the fences. Since the bans include both minors and adults, there's nothing really stopping them from setting the age at 21 or 25 or 50. But mainstream media outlets continue to publish inaccurate headlines that misinform their reaaders.

— Caitlin G. DeAngelis (@caitlindeangelis.bsky.social)2025-10-15T16:29:32.038Z

Indeed — what mainstream coverage Fenway’s decision did receive barely noted let alone unpacked the implications of that “19”. The point is they’re eroding adult trans healthcare as well, including these spineless providers in blue states who are caving to fascist bullies.

Folks in the Boston area, consider joining Act Up Boston as they push back … as with this protest last night …

Here are a few more links for your Saturday morning …

Hell yeah to newsletters leaving substack! I always love to see it …

Why I am leaving Substack | Men Yell at Me by Lyz Lenz

Get more from Men Yell at Me by Lyz Lenz on Patreon

www.patreon.com/posts/why-i-am-leaving-141136238

What an asshole this guy is!!

Gavin Newsom Vetoes Important HRT Stockpiling Bill For Trans Californians, Signs Other Pro-LGBTQ+ Bills

The bill would have allowed transgender people to maintain a safe supply of medication in the era of government crackdowns on care.

www.erininthemorning.com/p/gavin-newsom-vetoes-important-hrt

Yikes to this:

my latest investigation for @consumerreports.org is based on months of reporting and 60+ lab tests of leading protein supplements we found that most protein powders and shakes have more lead in one serving than our experts say is safe to have in a day (🧵) www.consumerreports.org/lead/protein...

— paris martineau (@paris.nyc)2025-10-14T16:37:05.371Z

0% surprising and yet …

‘I love Hitler’: Leaked messages expose Young Republicans’ racist chat

Thousands of private messages reveal young GOP leaders joking about gas chambers, slavery and rape.

www.politico.com/news/2025/10/14/private-chat-among-young-gop-club-members-00592146

RIP to Miss Major:

Legendary transgender activist Miss Major dies at 78

Known as a surrogate mother of her community, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy leaves behind a legacy as a fierce advocate for trans and LGBTQ+ rights.

19thnews.org/2025/10/transgender-activist-miss-major-dies-78

Hope you’ll consider joining a No Kings protest today …

October 18 is a day to stand tall against tyranny. No Crowns. No Thrones. #NoKings. Join the movement—find a No Kings Day protest near you and make your voice heard. nokings.org

— George Takei (@georgetakei.bsky.social)2025-10-14T17:42:38.842Z

But stay safe while so doing …

Should You Go To A Protest Tomorrow?

How To Choose Your Own Adventure And Minimize Your Risks

www.bannedinyourstate.com/p/should-you-go-to-a-protest-tomorrow

Fellow Catskills/Hudson Valley folks, here’s some info on what’s going on in our area:

“No Kings” Rallies Return to Hudson Valley Amid Rising Authoritarianism

Citizens rally across the Hudson Valley as Trump expands executive power.

www.chronogram.com/river-newsroom/politics/no-kings-rallies-return-to-hudson-valley-amid-rising-authoritarianism/

Read Andrea Pitzer on why protest matters:

The opposite of complicity

Why showing up matters and what it can actually do.

degenerateart.beehiiv.com/p/the-opposite-of-complicity

And! This is a great point:

If you can’t join a No Kings protest because you’re sick, disabled or it’s unsafe … please don’t feel guilty. We can all contribute in our own way and not everyone can be boots on the ground. Share posts. Attend virtual events. Trust that the community is fighting for you. Survival is resistance.

— Kelly (@broadwaybabyto.bsky.social)2025-10-18T11:05:52.164Z

In solidarity,
Sandy

p.s. What’s Helping Today: I’ve been on the road reporting this week and I am exhausted. Sooooo grateful to supporters like this … I genuinely teared up. Thank you!!!

Thanks for reading What’s Helping Today, a newsletter by me — author and journalist Sandy Ernest Allen. If you were forwarded this message, WHT is free; you can subscribe here. If you like my work: Please consider contributing via my Buy Me a Coffee. Your help in supporting my work is greatly appreciated!