In a devastating blow to transgender healthcare in India, three pioneering Mitr Clinics—offering life-saving services to over 5,000 transgender individuals—were forced to shut their doors after the Trump administration froze foreign aid under the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The abrupt funding halt, part of Trump’s “America First” policy, has left thousands of vulnerable individuals without access to crucial medical and mental health support.
The Cost of Political Priorities
The shutdown of the Hyderabad, Pune, and Kalyan Mitr Clinics came as a direct result of the Trump administration’s executive order to pause all USAID funding for 90 days, pending a review to ensure all programs align with U.S. political interests. The review process, critics argue, has been weaponized to cut off aid to marginalized communities worldwide. Among the many casualties? Transgender Indians who depended on Mitr Clinics for gender-affirming care, mental health support, and HIV treatment.
Despite the pressing need for such services, Trump and his allies, including Elon Musk, head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have openly dismissed the impact of the decision. Musk, responding to the closure on Twitter, coldly remarked, “That’s what American tax dollars were funding.” His words, lacking any trace of empathy, have only fueled the outrage among activists and human rights organizations worldwide.
A Vital Resource for India’s Transgender Community
Founded in 2021, the Mitr Clinics were a beacon of hope in India’s struggle for transgender rights. They provided an array of essential services, including:
- Hormone therapy guidance and medication
- Mental health counseling
- HIV and STI testing and treatment
- General healthcare
- Legal aid for transgender individuals facing discrimination
These services were made accessible by employing transgender doctors, counselors, and healthcare workers, ensuring a safe and affirming environment for patients. The Hyderabad Mitr Clinic alone served 150-200 patients each month before the shutdown, highlighting the devastating gap its closure has left.
Trump’s War on Transgender Aid
The USAID freeze is just one piece of Trump’s broader anti-LGBTQIA+ foreign policy agenda. His administration’s decision to cut aid to transgender healthcare projects echoes previous efforts to roll back trans rights domestically, including attempts to ban transgender people from serving in the U.S. military and gutting healthcare protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Under the guise of cost-cutting measures, the administration has targeted social programs it deems unworthy of U.S. taxpayer dollars. Transgender healthcare, according to Trump and Musk, falls into that category. In their worldview, American financial aid should only support projects that directly benefit the U.S., leaving marginalized communities worldwide scrambling for survival.
The Fallout: A Healthcare Crisis in the Making
The abrupt closure of the Mitr Clinics has put thousands of transgender Indians at immediate risk. For many, these clinics were the only place to access gender-affirming care without fear of discrimination or violence. While USAID has granted a waiver to continue life-saving HIV treatments, all other services have been discontinued indefinitely.
For those undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the impact is particularly severe. A lack of access to proper medical oversight can lead to dangerous health complications, from blood clot risks to severe hormonal imbalances. Mental health support has also been ripped away, at a time when transgender individuals in India already face disproportionately high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
The Fight to Save Transgender Healthcare
Activists and clinic organizers are now in a desperate scramble to secure alternative funding. According to a source from the Hyderabad clinic, running a single Mitr Clinic costs approximately ₹30 lakh ($34,338) per year—a figure that once seemed manageable under USAID funding but now feels insurmountable.
“We did some really good work at Mitr Clinics,” said one of the clinic’s former doctors, now left without a job. “I am proud of what we achieved there, but I fear for our community. Without urgent intervention, many will suffer.”
Several Indian NGOs and LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups have stepped forward to explore options for public and private donations. However, with such a sudden funding cut, finding sustainable, long-term financial support is an uphill battle.
A Political Scandal Brewing
The USAID funding freeze has also sparked political controversy in India. The decision comes amid revelations that USAID previously allocated $21 million for voter turnout initiatives in India, a move that Trump has openly criticized as “interfering” in foreign elections.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that the Indian government is investigating the USAID funding situation, including the abrupt halt to transgender healthcare support. However, given India’s own mixed record on transgender rights, it remains unclear whether officials will step in to save the clinics or let them remain shuttered indefinitely.
The Bottom Line
The closure of India’s first and only transgender clinics is a shocking indictment of how political maneuvering can override basic human compassion. For the thousands left without access to essential healthcare, this isn’t just a political decision—it’s a matter of life and death.
At a time when the world should be advancing transgender rights and healthcare accessibility, the Trump administration’s policies have pushed an already marginalized community even further into the shadows. If the global community does not take urgent action, India’s transgender population will bear the brunt of a decision made in Washington, D.C.
The question remains: Will the world stand by and watch, or will we step up to ensure that the most vulnerable among us continue to receive the care they so desperately need?
For transgender individuals and allies worldwide, the closure of Mitr Clinics serves as a painful reminder that trans rights are still under attack. The fight for equitable healthcare is far from over. If you want to help, consider donating to local LGBTQIA+ advocacy organizations working to restore these essential services.
