Dark Times as MSM and Trans Health Services Shut Down Across South Africa

The US government’s shocking suspension of foreign funding has thrown South African clinics and projects providing lifesaving services to men who have sex with men (MSM) and the transgender community into chaos.

The sudden halt of services has left beneficiaries and organisations scrambling to respond, with fear and uncertainty gripping many.

Trump Administration’s Cruel Policies Spark Global Impact

The new Trump administration’s regressive policies have had devastating consequences worldwide. In a move to review and align all US foreign funding with its right-wing values, the administration issued a “stop-work order” over the weekend.

This directive forced all US-funded projects in South Africa (and around the world) to immediately cease operations without adequate warning or an opportunity to prepare beneficiaries to seek alternative services.

Over the next 90 days, the US government will assess these projects and decide whether to amend or cancel funding commitments. Many of the affected programmes provide confidential, affirming care to key population groups, who often experience stigma and discrimination at public health facilities.

Vital Clinics Forced to Shut Their Doors

Wits RHI, which runs four Trans Health Centres in South Africa providing sexual health and hormone care, announced on Facebook that, as of 29 January, “we are unable to provide services until further notice,” giving clients only a short window to collect medication.

In Cape Town, the Anova Health Ivan Toms Centre, which has offered HIV services to gay, bisexual, and other MSM since 2009, confirmed its “temporary closure” with a sign outside its building. The message explained, “Our funder has required the immediate pause of all services until the US Government completes an evaluation of its foreign aid to South Africa. Like all partners affected across South Africa, we were provided very little warning of this closure and tried to reach out to alert many of you directly. For those of you receiving this news for the first time, we apologise.”

OUT’s Engage Men’s Health, which provides sexual health and mental health services in Johannesburg, Gqeberha, and East London, similarly closed its doors. A statement on its website reads: “Due to an immediate ‘stop-work order’ issued by our funder, we cannot provide any services until further notice. We deeply value our clients and remain committed to safeguarding your health. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and disruption this may cause. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide further details at this time.”

Other facilities that cater to MSM and transgender individuals in Tshwane, Kempton Park, Nelspruit, Pietermaritzburg and eThekwini are also currently not operational. 

A Devastating Blow to Vulnerable Communities

The closures have sparked outrage and despair within the LGBTIQ+ community. Affected clients have taken to social media to express their shock and frustration, with many condemning the Trump administration for its actions.

One Engage Men’s Health client called on the Department of Health to intervene, writing, “They play a crucial role for many queer people in South Africa, especially those living with HIV. Stigma-free environments are vital. Their work is just too important. I would never be able to be on PrEP today if it was not for the work the clinic does; and I have friends who rely on ARVs from Engage, who are now left panicked about how they’ll be picking up their next doses.”

Another community member lamented the discrimination many will face at public health facilities: “I find it so sad that vulnerable people in our community are gonna have to face discrimination as they go to these public facilities to get access to things like hormones to help with transitioning or assistance with an STI/STD or even getting PrEP/PEP. They are now gonna have to sit there and explain to a transphobic/homophobic nurse why they are there and get an earful of how they shouldn’t be doing that…”

The affected projects have urged clients, particularly those running low on medication, to seek care at public health facilities. However, the closures will undoubtedly lead to disruptions in care and a detrimental impact on people’s health. These clinics have also served as vital community hubs and safe spaces, which are now at risk of disappearing altogether.

Even if the Trump administration allows some projects to resume services after the 90-day review, the question remains whether they will have sufficient resources to survive the funding suspension. The devastating impact of these closures is already being felt, and the long-term consequences could be catastrophic.