Gender-Affirming Care

56% of LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it [source]. Many LGBTQ+ youth experience difficulty in finding an LGBTQ-competent provider. Some providers are not trained to support the unique issues and concerns LGBTQ youth may be facing. Youth are there to receive quality care. But instead, they have to educate their care providers about their identities and needs.

LGBTQ Youth Face Additional Hurdles

In some cases, mental health providers have to approve youth to access physical trans care and surgeries. They may also have to approve name, pronoun, and gender changes on official documents. This is despite the fact that sexual orientation and gender identity are not mental health disorders. Many providers may choose to withhold approval. These processes and avoidable hurdles can leave a young adult feeling defeated, misunderstood, and rejected. We need health providers to understand and support the needs of LGBTQ youth. They are in a position to help youth find self-acceptance and validation.

Gender Affirming Care encompasses a range of medical, psychological and social interventions, and each person’s needs and journey is unique. Gender affirming care is a crucial component of Trans and Gender Nonconforming (TGNC) mental health, especially those navigating gender dysphoria or any form of emotional distress regarding the gender assigned at birth.

Helpful Links & Materials

Our curated collection of resources serves as a vital compass for those seeking information and guidance on gender affirming care. Whether you’re exploring your identity, considering hormone therapy, or seeking surgical care, our carefully selected links provide a wealth of information to help you make informed decisions about your path.

Your authentic self deserves to be celebrated, and we’re here to help you on your path to living your truth. Explore our resources and empower yourself with knowledge and support.

General Resources

• State laws regarding gender affirming care
• Financial aid and direct support.
• Funding for gender affirming care.
• Changing names or gender markers on documents.
• Trangender hotline for immediate mental health support.
• Find LGBTQ+ friendly healthcare near you.
• Find Queer and Trans therapists of color.
• Transgender hormone therapy (see map for availability).
• Gender affirming care from home (see map for availability):
  • https://getplume.co/
  • https://trueuclinic.com/

Resources by U.S. State

Resources provided for 34 of 50 states. Check for resources in your state or a state nearby.

Alaska
Information on gender affirming care.

California
Policy on gender affirming care protection.

Colorado
Information on gender affirming care access.

Connecticut
Information on transgender rights and care in Connecticut.

Florida
Resources for transgender people in Florida losing access to gender affirming care.

Georgia
Georgia Trans Resource Guide.

Hawai’i
•  Find gender affirming providers in Hawai’i.
•  Sexual and gender minority support program.

Idaho
LGBTQ+ mental health care and resources for gender affirming care.

Kansas
Gender affirming care funding support.

Kentucky
Resources for transgender people in Kentucky losing access to gender affirming care.

Louisiana
•  Gender affirming healthcare provider list.
•  Resources for transgender people in Louisiana losing access to gender affirming care.

Maine
•  Gender affirming hormone therapy and mental health counseling.
•  Gender affirming healthcare information.

Maryland
•  Free legal support to low-income LGBTQI+ residents.
•  Resources for gender affirming care.

Massachusetts
Western Massachusetts Trans Resource Guide.

Michigan
Changing names or gender markers in documents.

Mississippi
Resources for transgender people in Louisiana losing access to gender affirming care.

Nebraska
Resources for TGNC community.

New Hampshire
•  Know your rights.
•  Gender affirming resources.

New Jersey
Gender affirming care and housing support.

New Mexico
Transgender resource center.

New York
•  For information on accessing gender affirming care.
•  To find gender-affirming providers.

North Carolina
Resources for Transgender Youth & Families in NC Impacted by Anti-Trans Healthcare Bills.

Ohio
Resources for TGNC community.

Oklahoma
Gender affirming care.

Oregon
•  Gender affirming care resources.
•  Culturally specific gender affirming care resources in Portland.

Pennsylvania
Gender affirming care resources.

Rhode Island
Access to gender affirming care.

South Carolina
Transgender support resource guide.

Tennessee
Resources for Transgender Youth & Families in Tennessee.

Vermont
Know your rights.

Virginia
Transgender resource and referral list.

Washington
•  Know your rights.
•  Resources for Black and Indigenous Trans and Gender Nonconforming Individuals.

West Virginia
•  Gender affirming care guide.
•  Gender affirming therapy.

Wisconsin
Transgender resource and referral list.