Jo Yurcaba
@joyurcaba.bsky.social
NBC News reporter covering the LGBTQ+ community.
DMs open; email [email protected]; Signal @joyurcaba.91
Pronouns: they/them
DMs open; email [email protected]; Signal @joyurcaba.91
Pronouns: they/them
Pinned
Jo Yurcaba
@joyurcaba.bsky.social
· Dec 1
Today I return to NBC News Digital as an enterprise reporter. I'll be covering the LGBTQ+ community, but I'll regularly venture into other beats as well.
Send tips, ideas, gossip: [email protected]
Send tips, ideas, gossip: [email protected]
Per this new report: Since January 2025, more than 40 hospitals have restricted transition-related care for trans young people.
The article also includes a scrollable chart of all the hospitals, with useful details like what patient population they have paused or stopped care for.
The article also includes a scrollable chart of all the hospitals, with useful details like what patient population they have paused or stopped care for.
I tallied all the hospitals and health systems that have stopped providing gender-affirming care to young people in the last year (so you don't have to)
This includes nine that have stopped providing hormones and puberty blockers since the beginning of the year. www.statnews.com/2026/02/05/h...
This includes nine that have stopped providing hormones and puberty blockers since the beginning of the year. www.statnews.com/2026/02/05/h...
Amid federal pressure, more hospitals stop gender-affirming care for minors
A STAT analysis found more than 40 hospitals have paused or ceased to offer some gender-affirming care to young people since President Trump took office
www.statnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Per this new report: Since January 2025, more than 40 hospitals have restricted transition-related care for trans young people.
The article also includes a scrollable chart of all the hospitals, with useful details like what patient population they have paused or stopped care for.
The article also includes a scrollable chart of all the hospitals, with useful details like what patient population they have paused or stopped care for.
Reposted by Jo Yurcaba
Maria is one of hundreds of children, who — like Liam Ramos — have been held at a Texas detention facility where parents say children languish as they’re served contaminated food, receive little education and struggle to obtain basic medical care.
Here's our attempt at telling their stories. 2/
Here's our attempt at telling their stories. 2/
Children trapped in Texas immigration facility recount nightmares, inedible food, no school
A photo of Liam Conejo Ramos, a scared 5-year-old, drew attention to a detention center in Dilley, Texas. Advocates say his experience reflects what hundreds of children have endured out of public vie...
www.nbcnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Maria is one of hundreds of children, who — like Liam Ramos — have been held at a Texas detention facility where parents say children languish as they’re served contaminated food, receive little education and struggle to obtain basic medical care.
Here's our attempt at telling their stories. 2/
Here's our attempt at telling their stories. 2/
Reposted by Jo Yurcaba
This is Maria, a 6-year-old detained by ICE last year.
She began to unravel soon after arriving at a detention center in Texas, wetting the bed after years without accidents, crying through the night and begging to breastfeed again.
Most of all, she wanted to be reunited with her cat, Milo. 1/
She began to unravel soon after arriving at a detention center in Texas, wetting the bed after years without accidents, crying through the night and begging to breastfeed again.
Most of all, she wanted to be reunited with her cat, Milo. 1/
February 6, 2026 at 6:25 PM
This is Maria, a 6-year-old detained by ICE last year.
She began to unravel soon after arriving at a detention center in Texas, wetting the bed after years without accidents, crying through the night and begging to breastfeed again.
Most of all, she wanted to be reunited with her cat, Milo. 1/
She began to unravel soon after arriving at a detention center in Texas, wetting the bed after years without accidents, crying through the night and begging to breastfeed again.
Most of all, she wanted to be reunited with her cat, Milo. 1/
Reposted by Jo Yurcaba
Most Heated Rivalry coverage has been focused on what young people, particularly younger straight women, think. I cover aging and decided to ask older gay men about their thoughts.
I found: A founder of what may have been the first gay hockey blog, a wedding cake shaped like a Zamboni and more.
I found: A founder of what may have been the first gay hockey blog, a wedding cake shaped like a Zamboni and more.
Older gay men built their own hockey fandom. Then came 'Heated Rivalry.'
The hit show is an unexpected invitation for some older gay hockey fans to reflect on love, acceptance and coming out.
19thnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Most Heated Rivalry coverage has been focused on what young people, particularly younger straight women, think. I cover aging and decided to ask older gay men about their thoughts.
I found: A founder of what may have been the first gay hockey blog, a wedding cake shaped like a Zamboni and more.
I found: A founder of what may have been the first gay hockey blog, a wedding cake shaped like a Zamboni and more.
I love this story so much.
Most Heated Rivalry coverage has been focused on what young people, particularly younger straight women, think. I cover aging and decided to ask older gay men about their thoughts.
I found: A founder of what may have been the first gay hockey blog, a wedding cake shaped like a Zamboni and more.
I found: A founder of what may have been the first gay hockey blog, a wedding cake shaped like a Zamboni and more.
Older gay men built their own hockey fandom. Then came 'Heated Rivalry.'
The hit show is an unexpected invitation for some older gay hockey fans to reflect on love, acceptance and coming out.
19thnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 4:57 PM
I love this story so much.
Reposted by Jo Yurcaba
Children's Minnesota will pause providing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to patients under 18 effective Feb. 27.
If your family will be affected, I'd love to speak with you: [email protected] or @joyurcaba.91 on Signal.
If your family will be affected, I'd love to speak with you: [email protected] or @joyurcaba.91 on Signal.
February 3, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Children's Minnesota will pause providing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to patients under 18 effective Feb. 27.
If your family will be affected, I'd love to speak with you: [email protected] or @joyurcaba.91 on Signal.
If your family will be affected, I'd love to speak with you: [email protected] or @joyurcaba.91 on Signal.
Children's Minnesota will pause providing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to patients under 18 effective Feb. 27.
If your family will be affected, I'd love to speak with you: [email protected] or @joyurcaba.91 on Signal.
If your family will be affected, I'd love to speak with you: [email protected] or @joyurcaba.91 on Signal.
February 3, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Children's Minnesota will pause providing puberty blockers and hormone therapy to patients under 18 effective Feb. 27.
If your family will be affected, I'd love to speak with you: [email protected] or @joyurcaba.91 on Signal.
If your family will be affected, I'd love to speak with you: [email protected] or @joyurcaba.91 on Signal.
HHS is applauding the American Society of Plastic Surgeon's statement on transition-related surgery for minors, but ignoring the part where ASPS opposes government efforts to ban & criminalize the care.
ASPS statement: www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/he...
HHS release: www.hhs.gov/press-room/a...
ASPS statement: www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/he...
HHS release: www.hhs.gov/press-room/a...
www.hhs.gov
February 3, 2026 at 7:09 PM
HHS is applauding the American Society of Plastic Surgeon's statement on transition-related surgery for minors, but ignoring the part where ASPS opposes government efforts to ban & criminalize the care.
ASPS statement: www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/he...
HHS release: www.hhs.gov/press-room/a...
ASPS statement: www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/he...
HHS release: www.hhs.gov/press-room/a...
One last add: I'm super grateful to B., the trans woman at the center of this story, for doing her only interview with me.
The end of her story will surprise you in the best way.
The end of her story will surprise you in the best way.
In November, a trans woman was forced out of a restroom by an arcade manager at a pinball tournament in NC.
The incident, and the way it was handled by the International Flipper Pinball Association, has fractured the community.
1/
For @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
The incident, and the way it was handled by the International Flipper Pinball Association, has fractured the community.
1/
For @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
How a trans woman's removal from a restroom tore the world of competitive pinball apart
Pinball is one of the most welcoming sports for trans players. But after a confrontation at an arcade last fall, pinball’s governing group is struggling to rebuild trust.
www.nbcnews.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:26 PM
One last add: I'm super grateful to B., the trans woman at the center of this story, for doing her only interview with me.
The end of her story will surprise you in the best way.
The end of her story will surprise you in the best way.
Reposted by Jo Yurcaba
The anti-trans panic has spread to the world of competitive pinball.
Yes, pinball.
@joyurcaba.bsky.social has the story.
Yes, pinball.
@joyurcaba.bsky.social has the story.
How a trans woman's removal from a restroom tore the world of competitive pinball apart
Pinball is one of the most welcoming sports for trans players. But after a confrontation at an arcade last fall, pinball’s governing group is struggling to rebuild trust.
www.nbcnews.com
February 1, 2026 at 10:52 PM
The anti-trans panic has spread to the world of competitive pinball.
Yes, pinball.
@joyurcaba.bsky.social has the story.
Yes, pinball.
@joyurcaba.bsky.social has the story.
Like clockwork, an anti-trans sports group is spreading misinfo about the pinball story.
The reality:
1. Lake was not the person removed from a bathroom.
2. The incident didn’t happen at the women’s state tournament.
3. No one at the state tournament was outraged by trans women’s participation.
The reality:
1. Lake was not the person removed from a bathroom.
2. The incident didn’t happen at the women’s state tournament.
3. No one at the state tournament was outraged by trans women’s participation.
February 1, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Like clockwork, an anti-trans sports group is spreading misinfo about the pinball story.
The reality:
1. Lake was not the person removed from a bathroom.
2. The incident didn’t happen at the women’s state tournament.
3. No one at the state tournament was outraged by trans women’s participation.
The reality:
1. Lake was not the person removed from a bathroom.
2. The incident didn’t happen at the women’s state tournament.
3. No one at the state tournament was outraged by trans women’s participation.
In November, a trans woman was forced out of a restroom by an arcade manager at a pinball tournament in NC.
The incident, and the way it was handled by the International Flipper Pinball Association, has fractured the community.
1/
For @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
The incident, and the way it was handled by the International Flipper Pinball Association, has fractured the community.
1/
For @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
How a trans woman's removal from a restroom tore the world of competitive pinball apart
Pinball is one of the most welcoming sports for trans players. But after a confrontation at an arcade last fall, pinball’s governing group is struggling to rebuild trust.
www.nbcnews.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:14 PM
In November, a trans woman was forced out of a restroom by an arcade manager at a pinball tournament in NC.
The incident, and the way it was handled by the International Flipper Pinball Association, has fractured the community.
1/
For @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
The incident, and the way it was handled by the International Flipper Pinball Association, has fractured the community.
1/
For @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Huge congratulations to my friend Lauren on her new job at The New York Times. I have complicated feelings about the Times, but I can't think of anyone who deserves this job more. Her coverage of trans Texans speaks for itself, and I can't wait to see what she does in this position.
📰 After two years in public radio, next week will be my last with @kutnews.bsky.social @npr.org.
I'll soon join @nytimes.com as their first Texas politics correspondent. I'm staying in #ATX, and am excited to jump back into daily coverage.
Here I come, y'all!
www.nytco.com/press/nation... #txlege
I'll soon join @nytimes.com as their first Texas politics correspondent. I'm staying in #ATX, and am excited to jump back into daily coverage.
Here I come, y'all!
www.nytco.com/press/nation... #txlege
National Welcomes Texas Politics Correspondent | The New York Times Company
www.nytco.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Huge congratulations to my friend Lauren on her new job at The New York Times. I have complicated feelings about the Times, but I can't think of anyone who deserves this job more. Her coverage of trans Texans speaks for itself, and I can't wait to see what she does in this position.
Reposted by Jo Yurcaba
Update: The minibus that included HHS funding passed the House without any anti-trans riders. This almost guarantees the HHS bill will pass the Senate with no anti-trans riders. A huge victory for trans people despite tons of anti-trans attack ads.
HUGE NEWS for trans people: We have the latest minibus, including the bill to fund the Department of Health and Human Services and it looks like there are no restrictions on gender-affirming care for transgender people.
docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
docs.house.gov
January 23, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Update: The minibus that included HHS funding passed the House without any anti-trans riders. This almost guarantees the HHS bill will pass the Senate with no anti-trans riders. A huge victory for trans people despite tons of anti-trans attack ads.
Reposted by Jo Yurcaba
HUGE NEWS for trans people: We have the latest minibus, including the bill to fund the Department of Health and Human Services and it looks like there are no restrictions on gender-affirming care for transgender people.
docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
docs.house.gov
January 20, 2026 at 1:31 PM
HUGE NEWS for trans people: We have the latest minibus, including the bill to fund the Department of Health and Human Services and it looks like there are no restrictions on gender-affirming care for transgender people.
docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
docs.house.gov/billsthiswee...
Reposted by Jo Yurcaba
UPDATE: Supreme Court appears likely to uphold restrictions on transgender girls and women participating in girls' and women's sports, although it might be a decision very much limited to the sports context:
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
Supreme Court leans toward backing state restrictions on transgender student-athletes
The conservative-majority court heard arguments concerning laws in West Virginia and Idaho that bar transgender students from participating in girls' or women's sports.
www.nbcnews.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM
UPDATE: Supreme Court appears likely to uphold restrictions on transgender girls and women participating in girls' and women's sports, although it might be a decision very much limited to the sports context:
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
Reposted by Jo Yurcaba
Immigration agents are choking people in America's streets & using tactics against their own policy/training. Many LEO agencies have banned their use
A Colombian TikToker. An ICU nurse. A father holding his child.
A 16-year-old citizen
DHS calls this "utmost professionalism"
w/ @mckenziefunk.com
A Colombian TikToker. An ICU nurse. A father holding his child.
A 16-year-old citizen
DHS calls this "utmost professionalism"
w/ @mckenziefunk.com
We Found More Than 40 Cases of Immigration Agents Using Banned Chokeholds and Other Moves That Can Cut Off Breathing
Civilians have had apparent seizures. One had his eyes roll back. Another had ribs broken. “I felt like I was going to pass out and die,” said a 16-year-old citizen put in a chokehold. The government ...
www.propublica.org
January 13, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Immigration agents are choking people in America's streets & using tactics against their own policy/training. Many LEO agencies have banned their use
A Colombian TikToker. An ICU nurse. A father holding his child.
A 16-year-old citizen
DHS calls this "utmost professionalism"
w/ @mckenziefunk.com
A Colombian TikToker. An ICU nurse. A father holding his child.
A 16-year-old citizen
DHS calls this "utmost professionalism"
w/ @mckenziefunk.com
I'm listening to Supreme Court arguments on laws banning trans girls from playing sports in two states, and one note: One of the justices (I think Kavanaugh) said the NCAA, Olympics etc. — people who "study this," he said — have said it's unfair for trans women to compete with women. 1/
January 13, 2026 at 4:48 PM
I'm listening to Supreme Court arguments on laws banning trans girls from playing sports in two states, and one note: One of the justices (I think Kavanaugh) said the NCAA, Olympics etc. — people who "study this," he said — have said it's unfair for trans women to compete with women. 1/
Reposted by Jo Yurcaba
FBI freezes out state investigators www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
January 8, 2026 at 5:43 PM
FBI freezes out state investigators www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Reposted by Jo Yurcaba
🚨🚨 SCOOP @ms.now : The Department of Veteran Affairs has quietly implemented its abortion ban following a DOJ memo issued last week.
This will affect 9 million veterans and their dependents, and has been a long time coming: It was outlined in Project 2025.
Read/share 👇
This will affect 9 million veterans and their dependents, and has been a long time coming: It was outlined in Project 2025.
Read/share 👇
Department of Veterans Affairs quietly implements abortion ban
A VA spokesperson confirmed to MS NOW that the ban was in place following a Department of Justice memo issued last week.
www.ms.now
December 23, 2025 at 4:37 PM
🚨🚨 SCOOP @ms.now : The Department of Veteran Affairs has quietly implemented its abortion ban following a DOJ memo issued last week.
This will affect 9 million veterans and their dependents, and has been a long time coming: It was outlined in Project 2025.
Read/share 👇
This will affect 9 million veterans and their dependents, and has been a long time coming: It was outlined in Project 2025.
Read/share 👇
Reposted by Jo Yurcaba
A second national anti-trans healthcare bill has passed the US House, a medicaid ban for trans youth. 4 Democrats crossed party lines to vote for it. Henry Cueller (TX), Vincente Gonzalez (TX), Don Davis (NC), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA). It is not expected to get through the Senate filibuster.
December 18, 2025 at 8:03 PM
A second national anti-trans healthcare bill has passed the US House, a medicaid ban for trans youth. 4 Democrats crossed party lines to vote for it. Henry Cueller (TX), Vincente Gonzalez (TX), Don Davis (NC), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA). It is not expected to get through the Senate filibuster.
NEW: The Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday that it would begin to take steps aimed at ending transition-related care for minors nationwide.
with Erika Edwards for @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
with Erika Edwards for @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
HHS moves to slash funding and access to care for transgender minors
The proposals announced Thursday would bar hospitals that receive federal funding from providing transition-related care to minors.
www.nbcnews.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:07 PM
NEW: The Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday that it would begin to take steps aimed at ending transition-related care for minors nationwide.
with Erika Edwards for @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
with Erika Edwards for @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
The House passed legislation today that would charge doctors with a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison for providing transition-related care to minors.
Rep. Sarah McBride strongly condemned the legislation in rare personal remarks ahead of the vote.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Rep. Sarah McBride strongly condemned the legislation in rare personal remarks ahead of the vote.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
House passes bill to criminalize transition care for minors
The House passed legislation today that would charge doctors with a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison for providing transition-related medical care
www.nbcnews.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:09 AM
The House passed legislation today that would charge doctors with a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison for providing transition-related care to minors.
Rep. Sarah McBride strongly condemned the legislation in rare personal remarks ahead of the vote.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Rep. Sarah McBride strongly condemned the legislation in rare personal remarks ahead of the vote.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Reposted by Jo Yurcaba
In May, my @nbcnews.com colleagues and I uncovered allegations dating back 40+ years that a longtime children's pastor formerly in the Assemblies of God was a serial child rapist.
Today he was arrested in Missouri.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Today he was arrested in Missouri.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Longtime children’s pastor Joe Campbell arrested on child sex abuse charges
The former Assemblies of God minister was indicted in Oklahoma after an NBC News investigation revealed decades of missed warnings.
www.nbcnews.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:29 PM
In May, my @nbcnews.com colleagues and I uncovered allegations dating back 40+ years that a longtime children's pastor formerly in the Assemblies of God was a serial child rapist.
Today he was arrested in Missouri.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Today he was arrested in Missouri.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
My first story back at NBC takes a behind-the-scenes look at how an Oklahoma student’s essay about gender became a national controversy in less than two weeks.
With @tktk.bsky.social for @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
With @tktk.bsky.social for @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
How an Oklahoma student's gender essay became a national culture war fight
Conservative activists and politicians have rallied around a college student who received a zero on an essay. Some grad students said they’re worried about what happens next.
www.nbcnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:09 PM
My first story back at NBC takes a behind-the-scenes look at how an Oklahoma student’s essay about gender became a national controversy in less than two weeks.
With @tktk.bsky.social for @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
With @tktk.bsky.social for @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...