India’s 1st Transgender clinics shut down after USAID freeze

India’s first transgender healthcare clinics have shut down following a funding freeze by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a move triggered by President Donald Trump’s executive order pausing foreign aid

The Mitr Clinics, located in Hyderabad, Kalyan, and Pune, had been operational since 2021, providing critical healthcare services to nearly 5,000 transgender individuals. These services included hormone therapy guidance, mental health counseling, HIV and STI support, legal aid, and general medical care. Each clinic operated on an annual budget of approximately 3 million rupees ($34,338) and was staffed primarily by members of the transgender community.

The funding halt stems from Trump’s January 20, 2025, order, which mandated a 90-day freeze on foreign aid as part of his “America First” policy. The abrupt closure has left many without essential healthcare services, with clinic organizers now seeking alternative funding sources to resume operations.

USAID has granted temporary waivers allowing some life-saving treatments to continue, particularly for HIV-positive patients, who make up around 10% of the clinic’s clientele. However, broader healthcare services remain suspended.

The shutdown has drawn international attention, with Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and a senior advisor to Trump, commenting on social media: “That’s what American tax dollars were funding.”

The Indian government is reportedly reviewing the impact of the funding cut, while advocates and former clinic staff are appealing for public and private sector support to restore these vital services.

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