Anchorage gender-bending clinic that Peltola pushed shuts down after loss of federal funds
Suzanne Downing
The Alaska Story
April 17, 2026
Anchorage-based nonprofit Identity Inc., once heavily promoted by former Rep. Mary Peltola, is shutting down its Identity Health Clinic, bringing an end to Alaska’s LGBTQ+-focused health care center.
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The clinic was once the darling of Mary Peltola. In June 2023, then-Rep. Peltola publicly encouraged Alaskans to support Identity Inc., sharing a message on social media urging volunteerism and linking to the group’s website, which included donation options. It was part of her Pride Month messaging push. That post drew criticism from those who pointed out that the organization’s services, particularly gender-bending-related treatments for youth, raised concerns about parental notification and consent, and long-term health impacts of the hormone blockers used on children.
The shutdown is happening quickly. In-person appointments are expected to end today, with remaining administrative support, some tele-health, and patient transition services winding down through May.
The clinic, which opened in 2021 following a merger between Identity and a local health provider, is said to have served roughly 1,500 patients in Anchorage, with services including primary care, mental and behavioral health support, sexual disease services such as HIV and sexually transmitted disease testing, and gender-rearranging care tailored to the transgender community.
Identity Inc. was founded as the Alaskan Gay Community Center, has long been a central hub for advocacy, education, and community programming. Its health clinic became a cornerstone of its operations in recent years, particularly as demand grew for specialized services for transgenders, a growing business in medical services.
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