Plume Clinic

In 2023, we’ve seen more than 500+ pieces of anti-trans legislation that has had a far reaching and chilling effect on gender care providers and patients. Thank you Daniel Trotta for working with Plume, the AMA and other hospital systems around the country to tell this story. https://lnkd.in/gc8AS2ij

We're heartbroken from witnessing the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Thousands of individuals have been affected, many reporting losing their homes, their belongings and in some cases, loved ones. In response, Plume is offering members living in impacted counties temporary waivers on monthly membership fees, removal of appointment no-show fees, and urgent bridge-prescriptions (30-day supply) for those who may have misplaced or lost their medications as a result of the storms. You can also find ways to support recovery efforts on the fourth slide of this post! #plumeclinic #hurricanerecovery #hurricanehelene #hurricanemilton

For any one of us who have children in our lives, we should stop and read this report. Years of anti-trans rhetoric and legislation have had a devastating impact on our youth. Young people have a fundamental right to access the care they need. And that care pathway should be determined by their provider and themselves. Not by politicians. Gender affirming care is lifesaving and is supported by all the major professional medical associations. We ought to do better -- our children's lives depend on it. https://lnkd.in/g9Csp4nk

🏳️🌈Today marks the start of LGBTQ history month!🏳️⚧️ While one of the most widely recognized days this month is National Coming Out Day on the 11th, there are also some you might not be aware of! These include; International Pronouns Day, Intersex Awareness Day, and Asexual Awareness Week. This month gives us many opportunities to celebrate everyone in the queer community! And, just as a reminder, trans and non-binary people are a huge part of this community and it's history. We've always been here, and we always will be! 💜 #plumeclinic

For our five year anniversary, we're celebrating you! 💜 Thank you for allowing us to be a part of all of your journeys, and all of you for being a part of ours. And, no matter if you've been with us for the past five years or just started last week, we're honored to be on your journey with you. 🏳️⚧️ While there’s more work to be done, we wanted to take a moment to express our deep gratitude to our many allies and partners - THANK YOU for being there for us and, more importantly, our community. #plumeclinic

I am beyond excited for the 28th WPATH Scientific Symposium starting this week! I am honored to present on two panels this Sunday, September 29. I will be discussing how virtual gender affirming care can effectively address the medical and mental health needs of the transgender and gender diverse community with Kate Greenaway and Chris Sheridan MBACP (Accred), FRSA. I will also be joining Salym Winter, Max Mulcahy, and Dr. Jennifer Evans to talk about the impact of Florida's SB 254 which banned gender affirming hormone therapy and puberty blockers from youth and imposed severe restrictions on care for adults last year, and how different organizations have navigated these changes, including us here at Plume Clinic. Trans and gender diverse people have the right to access medically necessary and lifesaving care – just like everyone else. Gender affirming care is supported by every major medical association and backed by science, research, and global guidelines which have been around for almost 50 years. Thank you to everybody who helps provide care to TGNC people and who fights back against others who politicize and gate-keep our lives, our bodies, and our healthcare.

It’s important to remember that the process of transition is a marathon, not a sprint. Whether your transition just began or you started 4 - 5 years ago or more, there’s always a place here for you! Leave a small piece of advice or encouragement for someone just starting their transition in the comments below. 🏳️⚧️💜 #plumeclinic

Today, Plume Clinic is pleased to endorse the Harris/Walz campaign in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Elections. Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz have a strong track record of protecting and advancing the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, including those of the TGNC community.   As you know, the trans community has faced unrelenting attacks over the past few years.  Trans people deserve equal access to health care, housing, employment and frankly a safe, affirming environment –  whether that be at school, work or society in general.  Elections have consequences and the stakes have never been higher. We encourage everyone to get involved; we MUST each step up and fight to protect our freedoms and ensure a better, brighter tomorrow.

Two weeks ago I, and Dee S., our Director of Communications here at Plume Clinic joined Advocates for Trans Equality along with many other TGNC folks and allies from around the nation to meet with lawmakers and staff on Capitol Hill to advocate for the Transgender Bill of Rights and several other pieces of legislation that would help protect and advance rights for trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming folks across our country. Equal access to healthcare, housing, employment, education -- and being safe -- are fundamental rights we should all enjoy. We're grateful for the time given to us as constituents by elected officials and staff on both sides of the aisle, as well as Melanie Fontes Rainer the Director of the Office of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). A huge thanks to A4TE for organizing this effort -- so inspiring to hear from trans elders who have paved the way and amazing to see this many TGNC folks on Capitol Hill!

It's a disturbing reality of our current system that those with the lowest income often must choose insurance plans with high deductibles, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs and a greater proportion of take-home pay being dedicated to health care. This usually overlaps with intersectional identities and only furthers health inequities even before individuals enter the clinic door. As employers, we should consider progressive benefit coverage which covers more if not all of the premiums for those at the lower end of the pay scale in our organizations. It enables an escape from the pernicious cycle of pushing greater risk of health expenditures on those that are often most vulnerable and disenfranchised societally.