False statements and misinformation about transgender healthcare have fuelled threats and harassment towards doctors and staff at Boston Children’s Hospital, among the latest targets from right-wing influencers linked to abuse aimed at LGBT+ people, events and institutions.

The hospital has endured “a large volume of hostile internet activity, phone calls and harassing emails including threats of violence toward our clinicians and staff” following criticism from right-wing activists and influencers alleging that the hospital performs gender-affirming hysterectomies on children under 18 years old, according to a statement from the hospital.

Boston Children’s Hospital is home to the Gender Multispecialty Service, the nation’s first pediatric and adolescent transgender healthcare programme. Only “eligible adolescents and young adults” can receive treatment, and “genital surgeries are only performed on patients age 18 and older”, according to the hospital.

Despite attempts to debunk claims made by influential far-right social media accounts, which have also been tied to the explosion of “groomer” attacks used to falsely smear LGBT+ people and advocates as pedophiles, the claims have persisted across social media.

“We are deeply concerned by these attacks on our clinicians and staff fueled by misinformation and a lack of understanding and respect for our transgender community,” according to the hospital’s statement.

“For a hysterectomy performed as part of gender-affirming...

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