Recently I moved to a different part of the city, and that pushed me to finally ditch my old-school doctor and find someone that took my gender dysphoria seriously. If you have any experience as a trans or non-binary person in social settings, you know it can be a bit of a task to explain your specific issues to people that just…don’t seem to get it. This can be frustrating in medical situations, especially if you want to discuss any kind of medical intervention or treatment for gender affirmation.
Here are my tips for finding a non-binary and trans friendly healthcare provider that is, at the very least, open to providing care to transgender and gender non-conforming people in your community.
1. Search for a provider on Outcare.
I found my provider on www.outcarehealth.org because it was so simple and easy. Providers list themselves on there, and their patients can add reviews. I tend to check their reviews on other sites as well just to solidify my decision to go to someone. Outcare not only gives you the names of various providers and their information, but has other resources such as community resources, prescription savings, support groups, and education for providers.
2. Check out your local LGTBQ+ organizations for resources.
Typically you can google “LGBTQ my city” and you can find a few different resources especially if you’re within a bigger city. If you’re within a smaller city or small town, look at state-wide or regional resources.If you’re not in an at-risk situation, looking on social media like local LGTBQ+ Facebook groups or on your city’s Reddit can also be helpful. It’s worth mentioning that there are local chapters of PFLAG that often hold events and meetings to meet people in similar situations. I find that the best way to find a reliable provider is by someone in the community referring me to their own provider.
3. Look for the obvious signs.
Look for the obvious signs. I understand that not every community is accepting of us LGBTQ+ folks, so the first two tips are for anyone who needs to use the internet as their connection to resources.
However, I want to emphasize this point: do NOT put yourself at risk. If you are in a risky situation, delete your history and cache, and only look for resources safely.
That being said, when searching for healthcare providers, look for places that outwardly project acceptance in different ways. Some things to look for include asking for pronouns on intake forms, displaying pride flags, having LGBTQ+ literature in the office, and participating in or sponsoring Pride events and organizations. It could be as small as a sticker on a window. If you're currently seeing a doctor and unsure if they're accepting, watch for these signs..
Again, and I can’t reiterate it enough, do not out yourself if you are in an at-risk situation. The best outcome for finding a provider is if your chosen provider pings all three of these tips. Having an outwardly accepting provider can make a world of difference in your care.
Here are some direct links to make your life a little easier:
Best Wishes,
Niss Noble
Writer and Designer