By Zarina Crockett and Daniela “Dani” Capistrano for TransLash Media
During National LGBTQ Awareness week we at TransLash center trans-affirming healthcare and advocacy. Explore our guide below and bookmark it; Team TransLash will be updating it annually.
WHAT IS NATIONAL LGBTQ HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK?
National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week takes place annually in the third week of March. This initiative focuses on enhancing accessible, affirming, and inclusive healthcare for LGBTQ+ communities, highlighting the significance of collective action towards healthcare equity.
It also provides an opportunity to promote inclusive practices, educate healthcare providers, and advocate for equitable and culturally competent care for LGBTQ+ people of all ages and backgrounds.
National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week was established in 2003 by the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health, a leading organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community through advocacy, education, and research.
The concept of LGBTQ health did not publicly exist before Stonewall in a resourced way, and only began to emerge in the late ’70s through the formation of the National Lesbian and Gay Health Foundation in 1977, which later became the National Lesbian and Gay Health Association.
Building on this foundation, National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week aims to foster a healthcare environment that respects and affirms the identities and needs of LGBTQ patients of all backgrounds.
🚨Alarming LGBTQ Statistics🚨
🚨 The 2022 U.S. Trans Survey found that nearly one in ten (9%) respondents reported that they were denied equal treatment or service in the last 12 months because of their gender identity or expression.
🚨 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), LGBTQ people are at an increased risk for various mental health issues, substance abuse, and certain chronic conditions.
🚨 LGBTQ folks are at a significantly higher risk for mental health issues; The Trevor Project’s 2023 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found that 41% of LGBTQ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year—and young people who are transgender, nonbinary, and/or people of color reported higher rates than their peers.
🚨 LGBTQ people often face barriers to healthcare, including discrimination, lack of culturally competent care, and insurance issues. A 2020 survey by the Center for American Progress found that over 15% of LGBTQ adults, including 31% of transgender adults, postponed or avoided medical treatment due to discrimination fears.
🚨 According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), LGBTQ people are more likely to use alcohol and drugs, have higher rates of substance abuse, and are less likely to abstain from drug use compared to their heterosexual counterparts.
🚨 Lesbian and bisexual women are less likely to get preventive services for cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Gay men are at a higher risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections that can increase the risk of certain cancers like anal cancer.
🚨 LGBTQ youth are disproportionately represented among the homeless population, with estimates suggesting that up to 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. This is primarily due to family rejection based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, according to True Colors United.
🚨 The CDC reports that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV, accounting for 69% of all new HIV diagnoses in the United States in 2019.
Trans men have always been a part of HIV/AIDS populations but their needs are often swept under the rug. The first known out gay trans man with AIDS in the United States was Lou Sullivan, who passed away from complications in 1991. Lou wrote “they told me at the gender clinic that I could not live as a gay man, but it looks like I will die as one.”
🏳️⚧️What is Gender-Affirming Healthcare?🏳️⚧️
According to HRC, gender-affirming care, sometimes referred to as transition-related care, is life-saving healthcare for transgender people of all ages.
It is not a single category of services but instead is a range of services, including mental health care, medical care, and social services. At all ages, clear, well-established, evidence-based standards of care exist for who can access what form of gender affirming care, and when they are eligible to receive it.
Gender-affirming care can involve medical interventions to help align an individual’s physical characteristics with their gender identity. This can include:
- 🏳️⚧️ Hormone therapy;
- 🏳️⚧️ Surgical procedures like breast augmentation/removal, facial feminization, or genital reconstruction;
- 🏳️⚧️ Fertility preservation options and other reproductive and abortion services;
- 🏳️⚧️ Mental health support and counseling;
- 🏳️⚧️ Support with social transitioning.
Beyond transition-related care, gender-affirming healthcare ensures trans people receive respectful, inclusive treatment in any healthcare setting. This means:
- 🏳️⚧️ Using correct names and pronouns;
- 🏳️⚧️ Understanding unique health risks and needs;
- 🏳️⚧️ Providing bias-free care without discrimination;
- 🏳️⚧️ Ensuring patients feel safe and respected.
Even for basic services like annual check-ups or flu shots, trans people deserve to have their gender respected and affirmed. No one should face being misgendered or subjected to an unsafe environment simply for seeking medical care.
Creating a truly trans-affirming healthcare system requires cultural competency training, inclusive policies, and an organizational commitment to respecting all gender identities and expressions. This allows transgender patients to access comprehensive, high-quality care in an environment of trust and affirmation, regardless of where they are in their gender journey.
TRANS HEALTHCARE ADVOCATES
Dr. Julius J. Johnson-Weaver
Dr. Julius J. Johnson-Weaver, founder of RMD Proud, is a Black, Board Certified, Family Medicine doctor of lived trans experience who has been practicing for 20 years. After obtaining their bachelor’s from Princeton University, Dr. Johnson-Weaver attended Temple School of Medicine and then completed his residency at Chestnut Hill Family Practice in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Johnson-Weaver enjoys parenting their 3 teenagers, gardening, and sports. He is also an outspoken physician and community member against racism, sexism, homophobia, and negativity against transgender and gender-diverse people.
At Resolve MD, Dr. Johnson-Weaver manages an intimate number of patients and therefore has more open slots, little to no wait time in the waiting room, or to schedule an appointment. The care provided at Resolve MD is more personalized than a traditional doctor’s office.
Follow Dr. Julius on Instagram: @thetransmd
Dallas Ducar
Transhealth is led by CEO Dallas Ducar, a board-certified registered nurse and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner who seeks to revolutionize healthcare, building novel systems that are holistic, empowering and gender-affirming.
Follow Dallas Ducar on Instagram: @dallasducar
Schuyler Bailar
Schuyler Bailar is a groundbreaking athlete and activist who made history as the first openly transgender athlete to compete in any sport on an NCAA D1 men’s team. As a swimmer at Harvard University, Bailar shattered barriers and paved the way for greater inclusion in college athletics. Beyond his impressive athletic achievements, Bailar is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ youth, focusing on mental health and well-being. He uses his platform to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by transgender individuals, particularly in sports and educational settings.
Through his inspiring speeches, workshops, and social media presence, Bailar provides valuable resources and support for LGBTQ+ youth navigating their own journeys. His tireless efforts to create a more inclusive and accepting world have earned him widespread recognition as a role model and changemaker.
Follow Schuyler on Instagram @pinkmantaray and Twitter @SBailar98 to stay connected to his impactful work and advocacy.
Ashlee Marie Preston
Ashlee Marie Preston is a prominent Black transgender activist, media personality, and journalist who has made significant strides in advocating for transgender rights, racial equality, and HIV/AIDS awareness. As a survivor of sexual assault and homelessness, Ashlee uses her platform to shed light on the intersectional challenges faced by marginalized communities. She made history as the first openly transgender person to run for state office in California and has been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone.
Ashlee’s powerful voice and unwavering commitment to social justice have earned her recognition as one of the most influential LGBTQ+ activists of our time. She continues to inspire and empower others through her work as a public speaker, writer, and host of the podcast Shook with Ashlee Marie Preston.
Follow Ashlee Marie Preston on Instagram @ashleemariepreston to stay informed about her ongoing efforts to create positive change and advocate for the rights of trans people and Black and brown folks.
Cody Harman
Cody Harman is a chef, bodybuilder, and NASM certified personal trainer. He has a passion for food, health, and fitness, but most importantly he has a passion for helping people. Some of the coaches he had growing up left such an impact on his life that he decided he wanted to strive to have that same impact on others. As a coach he is here to help guide and support you towards your goals while giving you the knowledge and tools you need to succeed long term. Browse his website and check out the training packages he is currently offering. Always feel free to contact him directly with any questions: coachcodyharman AT gmail dot com
Follow Cody Harman on Instagram: @mrcoachcody
Chris Mosier
Chris Mosier is an athlete, coach, and educator, and the founder of TransAthlete.com. In 2020, he became the first known transgender athlete to compete in the Olympic Trials in the gender they identify. Chris is a two-time National Champion race walker after picking up the sport in early 2019.
In 2015, Chris became the first openly trans man to qualify to represent the United States in international competition when he qualified for the Sprint Duathlon team. Chris was a catalyst for change in the International Olympic Committee policy on transgender athletes, and in 2016 he became the first trans man to compete against men in a World Championship race. He is a 6x member of Team USA in Sprint Duathlon, Long-Course Duathlon and Sprint Triathlon. As a Nike-sponsored athlete, Chris’s Nike commercial debuted in prime time in the 2016 Rio Olympics. He was featured in the 2018 and 2019 Nike BETRUE campaigns.
In 2016, Chris was named “Person of the Year” by Outsports, and was named to the OUT 100 list. He was also featured in the ESPN Body Issue. He has spoken about LGBTQ inclusion in athletics and transgender topics at various companies and organizations, including ESPN & Disney, Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan Chase, NCAA, the LGBT Sports Summit, and more.
Chris is a thought-leader around the inclusion of transgender and LGBTQ+ people in sport and travels the country giving speeches, presentations, and workshops about his story and how to create more inclusive environments on and off the field. He is a consultant for various professional sports leagues and national governing bodies, reviewing policies and procedures to help make them more trans-inclusive. He also creates bias response protocols for reporting of bias-related incidents within sports leagues.
Follow Chris Mosier on Instagram: @thechrismosier
Kai Potts
Kai Potts (he/him), known as @ohkairyn on social media, is a dynamic Two-Spirit Nakoda advocate, content creator, and performer from Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation. As a prominent voice for Indigenous LGBTQ+ rights, Kai fearlessly shares his journey and experiences to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by Two-Spirit individuals. Through his engaging and informative content on TikTok and Instagram, where he has amassed over 500k and 90k followers respectively.
Kai educates his audience about the importance of decolonization, cultural preservation, and inclusive healthcare for Indigenous communities. His inspiring advocacy work has earned him recognition as an influential leader in the fight for Two-Spirit visibility and equality.
Follow Kai on TikTok @ohkairyn and Instagram @ohkairyn to learn more about Two-Spirit identity, Indigenous rights, and how to support the well-being of Indigenous LGBTQ+ people.
Chase Strangio
Chase Strangio is a trailblazing transgender rights lawyer and activist serving as Deputy Director for Transgender Justice at the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project. He has been lead counsel on groundbreaking Supreme Court cases like Harris Funeral Homes v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which secured workplace protections for transgender people, and has represented high-profile clients such as Chelsea Manning in the fight for civil liberties.
Strangio has co-authored guidance on best practices for protecting trans people’s rights in schools, prisons, and more. Widely recognized as an expert commentator, he leverages his legal expertise and advocacy to fight for equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ people.
Follow Chase on Twitter @chasestrangio and Instagram @chase_strangio.
⛔️Recent Anti-Trans Healthcare Bills⛔️
There has been a disturbing increase in anti-trans legislation across various states aimed directly at limiting the rights and freedoms of transgender people. These bills span a range of issues from healthcare to education and public accommodations, significantly impacting the lives of transgender people and those who love them.
This wave of anti-trans legislation, seen in states like Oklahoma, Mississippi, Kansas, Idaho, Missouri, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Arkansas in 2023, marks a concerted effort to roll back the rights of transgender people. Here are just some of the hundreds of bills threatening trans lives and trans quality of life:
- 🚨 Oklahoma’s SB 613 (2023: Passed) bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender-affirming surgeries. Violators could face civil penalties and loss of professional licenses.
- 🚨 Mississippi’s SB 2004 (2023: In Session) prohibits teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and penalizes any discussion considered to endorse LGBTQ identities and issues.
- 🚨 Kansas’ SB 180 (2023: In Session) restricts transgender students from using school bathrooms and other facilities that align with their gender identity.
- 🚨 Idaho’s HB 108 (2023: Passed) criminalizes providing gender-affirming healthcare to transgender people under age 18, with violators facing potential jail time and loss of medical license.
- 🚨Missouri’s HB 556 (2023: Passed) bans gender-affirming care like puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries for transgender minors and prevents such treatments from being covered by state health plans.
- 🚨West Virginia’s HB 2505 (2023: In Session) defines provision of gender-affirming care to minors as child abuse and bans it from being covered by health insurance plans, including Medicaid.
- 🚨 South Carolina’s H 3728 (2023: Introduced) bars doctors from providing gender transition procedures for transgender people under age 18 and revokes licenses of those who do.
- 🚨 Arkansas’ SB 199 (2023: Passed) prohibits transgender people from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity in public schools.
- 🚨 Arkansas HB 1156 (2024: Passed) bans gender-affirming care like puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries for transgender minors. Classifies providing such care as child abuse.
- 🚨 Florida’s SB 254 (2024: In Session) seeks to revoke the medical license of healthcare providers who administer gender-affirming treatments to transgender patients of any age.
- 🚨 Texas’ SB 12 (2024: Introduced) prohibits gender transition procedures and treatments for transgender young people under age 18. Allows individuals to pursue civil action against medical providers.
- 🚨 Missouri’s HB 984 (2024: Introduced) bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors and requires school staff to disclose students’ transgender status to parents, regardless of student’s wishes.
- 🚨 Kentucky’s SB 53 (2024: Introduced) criminalizes providing gender-affirming healthcare services to transgender youth under 18-years-old, including counseling related to gender identity.
These anti-LGBTQ bills aim to undermine, restrict, and criminalize gender-affirming medical care that follows best practices set by major medical associations. They create barriers for trans and intersex youth to access vital healthcare services, negatively impacting their physical and mental health outcomes.
During National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week and every week, we must all use our voices and platforms to advocate for trans-affirming healthcare, because trans rights are human rights.
🩺Trans Health Resources🩺
💻 TransLash.org
- 📖 In the Shadow of the Health-Care City: Historicizing Trans Latinx Immigrant Experiences during the Coronavirus Pandemic
- 📖 Finally Feeling Comfortable: The Necessity of Trans-Affirming, Trauma-Informed Care
- 📖 TransLash’s Trans-Affirming Guide to Roe v. Wade
- 📖 TRANSCRIPT: ‘Detransition Pseudo-Science and Misleading Examples’
- 📖 TRANSCRIPT: TransLash Podcast Episode 32, ‘Healthcare Open Season for Trans People’
- 📖 TRANSCRIPT: Trans Health-Care and COVID-19
- 📖 TRANSCRIPT: Lives At Stake, ‘Trans Health and Wellness 2021’
- 📖 TRANSCRIPT: TransLash Podcast Episode 5, ‘The Religious Right and Trans Healthcare’
- 📖 Trans-affirming Mental Health Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month
- 📖 TransLash Guide to National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
- 📖 Abuse Didn’t Cause My Transition, It Delayed My Transition
- 📖 TransLash Guide to Trans Sex: T4T and Trans-Cis
- 📖 Trans-Affirming Resources For Sexual Assault Awareness Month
- 📖 Trans Joy is Listening to Your Body
⚕️Medical and Healthcare Information
- 📖 Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health was developed in response to the high volume of queries from clinicians and health care staff seeking to learn about providing high-quality care for adults, adolescents, and children who are questioning their gender identity or who identify as transgender or gender-diverse (TGD).
- 📖 World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) provides clinical guidance for health professionals to deliver care to trans and gender-nonconforming individuals, including the Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People.
- 📖 Transgender Care Listings (Transcaresite.org) is a directory of healthcare providers experienced in providing gender-affirming medical care to transgender patients.
🧠 Mental Health Support
- 📖 The Trevor Project offers crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth under 25, including a 24/7 crisis hotline, chat, and text service.
- 📖 Trans Lifeline is a peer support hotline and micro grants organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis.
🖊️ Legal Assistance and Advocacy
- 📖 Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) provides legal services, advocacy, and public education on transgender rights issues.
- 📖 National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) advocates for policy changes that promote the equality and well-being of transgender individuals.
🩺 Health Insurance and Financial Assistance
- 📖 Healthcare.gov offers information about health coverage options for transgender people through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace.
- 📖 Jim Collins Foundation provides financial assistance to TGNC people for gender-affirming surgeries.
🫂 Peer Support and Community
- 📖 MyTransHealth is a resource designed to connect transgender people with qualified and compassionate healthcare providers.
- 📖 Gender Spectrum provides education, training, and support to help create a gender-inclusive world for all children and youth.
🏥 Trans Healthcare Hubs
- 📖 Callen-Lorde Community Health Center offers comprehensive healthcare services tailored to New York’s LGBTQ+ community, including transgender health services.
- 📖 TransThrive, through San Francisco Community Health Center, provides comprehensive support and healthcare services for the transgender community in San Francisco.
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