On Tuesday, Seattle Children’s Hospital opened a new Gender Clinic for transgender children and youth. According to a press release, the clinic is just one of five in the country.

“Seattle Children’s is committed to providing the highest level of care to all children in our community, and we’re delighted to offer a clinic that meets the medical, social and behavioral needs of patients who are transgender or gender non-conforming,” said Dr. David Breland, medical director of the Gender Clinic, in the press release. “After gathering input from the community, we found that these patients often struggle to navigate healthcare. The new clinic will provide coordinated, evidence-based care in a supportive environment.”

According to the press release, the Gender Clinic will provide mental health services, counseling, puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Surgery will be referred elsewhere.

Danni Askini, director of the Gender Justice League, lauds the clinic. “Gender Justice League strongly supports the decision of Seattle Children’s Hospital to provide comprehensive and medically appropriate care to all youth, including transgender youth,” she says. “Decades of research has clearly demonstrated that supporting young people in thoughtfully transitioning genders is a life saving medical intervention…The risks of refusing care and risking youth suicide far outweigh the minute risks raised by fear mongers. Indeed, large cohort studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of supporting and affirming transgender youths.”