Family says Rady Children's Hospital canceled teen's gender-affirming care

A San Diego family says they are in crisis after Rady Children’s Hospital canceled their teenager’s gender-affirming care, including a surgery that was scheduled just weeks away. The family says the decision came as the Trump administration moves to stop transgender care for minors by cutting off federal funding from hospitals that provide the care.

Fifteen-year-old Enfys Zerlaut — formerly Evelyn — came out as nonbinary about four years ago to their mother, Ann Zerlaut.

“We had these little signs. We have a tomboy won’t wear a skirt. First communion was a big deal because the dress was required, but we compromised with the skirt,” Zerlaut said.

Zerlaut said her child felt supported at home.

“We have a good relationship, and I think that they trusted that in this house, it would be fine,” she said.

Outside the home, Enfys and Zerlaut said navigating the world has been more complicated. Enfys does not identify as male or female, which led the family to search for doctors and programs that could help.

“Within the trans community, mental health is a huge issue, not because we’re trans, but because of how the world views us and how we view ourselves,” Enfys said. “And gender-affirming care can at least change how we view ourselves.”

The family said they began care at Rady Children’s Hospital about 10 months ago, including therapy, endocrinologist appointments and surgical consultations. Enfys was eventually scheduled to undergo a mastectomy.

“I was the happiest I had ever been,” Enfys said. “Since I started puberty and I started developing breasts, it was never something I wanted.”

That plan changed last week when Zerlaut said she received a call from Rady Children’s.

“This is not right, not right at all,” she said.

Zerlaut said she was told the appointment was canceled because of the Trump administration’s proposal to halt federal funding for hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to minors.

“It was just the worst feeling in the world because I had seen Enfys so happy, so happy. We were so happy,” Zerlaut said.

“I was sure that I wasn’t going to make it to the weekend knowing that,” Enfys said.

Despite the emotional toll, the family said they are determined to keep fighting — both for Enfys and for others facing similar situations.

“We are not sure where this will go. Also it’s not just about fighting this, we still have to find a surgery for Enfys. The story about their surgery is not done,” Zerlaut said.

Enfys said their journey is ongoing.

“I’ll probably never be 100% happy with how I identify and how I present my gender, but I can try the best to be who I want,” Enfys said.

Rady Children’s Hospital said in a statement that due to health care privacy laws, specific patient information cannot be shared.

Zerlaut said she is now hoping to meet with hospital leadership and is also looking into other programs at private hospitals.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.