Australian Health Promotion Association’s Post

A new milestone has been reached for transgender young people in the UK, as the first private hormone clinic to receive approval from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has opened its doors. The Gender Plus Hormone Clinic, run by former clinicians of the Gender Identity Development Service (Gids), offers hormone therapy for those over 16 who are experiencing gender dysphoria. The clinic does not prescribe puberty blockers, which are currently under legal review, and only accepts patients who are suitable for hormone treatment. The approval of the Gender Plus Hormone Clinic comes at a time when the demand for gender-affirming care is increasing, but the access to it is limited. The Gids, the only NHS service for transgender young people, has been rated "inadequate" by the CQC and is facing a backlog of referrals and a high staff turnover. Many transgender young people have resorted to buying hormones online or travelling abroad to access treatment, which can pose health and legal risks. The future of hormone therapy for transgender young people in the UK depends on several factors, such as the availability of funding, the quality of care, the legal framework, and the social acceptance. The Gender Plus Hormone Clinic is a promising step towards providing more options and support for this population, but it is not a solution. Transgender young people still face many barriers and challenges in accessing appropriate and timely care, as well as in living authentically and safely in a society that often discriminates and stigmatizes them. 🌈🔎 Link: https://lnkd.in/gGmucSPT #TheLinQFoundation #transgender #hormonetherapy #genderaffirmingcare #LGBTQ #UK

Did you know 1 in 5 LGBT+ people are the target of negative comments at work? And over a third of LGBT+ people feel they have to hide who they are at work? As February celebrates LGBT+ history month, we felt that it was paramount to share the importance of this in the workplace. What more can we be doing to support this community and create an inclusive environment for all? This years LGBT+ theme is the contribution LGBT+ have made to medicine, so join us as we consider what organisations can be doing to help with this. Do you have an inclusive healthcare scheme in place? Do you have support in place for staff with HIV? Are you providing enough mental health support, and what does this look like? This week, we are joined by D&I, recruitment and CSR specialist Lee Thomas Wragg 🌈. He is very passionate about LGBT+ Ally ship and works with organisations to help them plan and deliver their D&I strategies. 🌻 What support organisations can give with those transitioning – is the correct leave authorised, do you have an inclusive health care scheme in place? 🌻 What do paternity and maternity rights look like for same-sex couples? 🌻 What can your company benefits package include to ensure it is inclusive? 🌻 Live Q&A Register here: https://lnkd.in/e9v_TmKQ #lgbtqia #workplaceinclusion #lgbthistorymonth #webinar

The message I want trans young people and their families to hear in response to this is ‘You will get through this’. Please remember that the vast majority of trans adults had no access to gender affirming healthcare as a child. Please engage with the spaces, services and content created by trans adults where we show you the many varied and diverse possibilities of gender identity and expression and support you with strategies to explore and discover what is euphoric for you.  This legislation is abhorrent because it’s a misuse of power. It’s an attempt to control and contain gender expansiveness. It’s taking away a minority groups right to healthcare that has been tried and tested and is established as international best practice. There is no evidence, especially no new evidence, that this medication poses a risk to children - if there was then it would be banned for all conditions!  Puberty suppressing hormones should be available as an option for trans children and their families to be able to make informed decisions about whether it is right for them. But when we fall into the narrative that they are the only way to survive as a trans child, we are doing a massive disservice to the creativity, resourcefulness, diversity and sheer perseverance of the millennia of trans people who lived, survive and thrive.

We started with a mission to change lives, and today, that mission is changing the world. Being featured in an article about people-led social enterprises is more than just recognition—it’s proof that our work at MIST LGBTQ+ Foundation is making a real impact. From day one, we set out to build something that mattered. QueerBazaar is more than a platform; it’s a lifeline connecting our community to essential HIV testing, treatment, prevention, and mental health services. And we didn't stop there. By providing free health insurance to transgender individuals, funded by our own revenue, we’re not just serving—we're empowering. This is just the beginning. Every step forward is a step towards a future where healthcare is inclusive, accessible, and driven by the very communities it serves. Let’s keep pushing boundaries. We’re just getting started. #QueerBazaar #TAAL #HIVCare #LGBTQ+ #Inclusion #HealthcareInnovation #SocialImpact

Next month, I'll be presenting -- alongside State Rep. Jodi Shapuras Whitted, DSW (OH-28) -- at the Equitas Health Institute's Transforming Care Conference on LGBTQ+ and HIV Health Equity, which is the largest conference on LGBTQ+ health equity in the Midwest. Our presentation -- "Legislative Advocacy 101: Perspectives from a Public Policy Advocate and an Ohio State Representative" -- will help attendees understand how to effectively engage in legislative advocacy at the local and state levels. And as always, I'm so grateful for Jan Huebenthal, PhD, Lindsay Radomski, and the entire Institute team for the work that they've put into this annual event. To learn more about the conference or to register, click on the link below. https://lnkd.in/gB28yDwS #LGBT #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #LGBTQIAPlus #Transgender #NonBinary #Intersex #Medical #Medicine #Health #Healthcare #HealthEquity #MedicalCare #Hospital #HealthCenter #Clinic #Doctor #Pharmacy #Pharmaceutical #Drugs #Medication #Prescription #Pharmacist #HIV #HIVAIDS #AIDS #HIVPrevention #CurrentEvents #CurrentAffairs #Law #Legal #Politcal #Politics #Federal #Legilsative #Legislature #Advocacy #Advocate #PublicPolicy #Legislative #GovernmentalRelations #Government #Local #State #Federal #Conference #Virtual #InPerson #Learning #ProfessionalDevelopment #Workshops #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #DEI #DEIB #DiversityEquityInclusion #Belonging

LGBTQ+ people can encounter barriers to accessing gynaecological care. In order to tackle this issue, it’s important that we have accurate data sets on all gynaecological cancers that can be broken down by ethnicity, age, geography, sexual orientation, gender, trans status and socioeconomic background. This will allow us to identify and respond to inequalities in outcomes and experience. The RCOG have recently published an updated joint policy statement with the British Gynaecological Cancer Society that calls for accurate data sets on all gynaecological cancers for each UK nation. This will enable meaningful results and analysis of service performance and improvements. The statement also emphasises that sexual orientation and trans status should be collected in line with the NHS England- commissioned guidance published by the LGBT Foundation, as per government commitments in 2018. Read more here: https://brnw.ch/21wKPLH

Many LGBTQ+ seniors grew up in times of severe discrimination, affecting their trust in healthcare systems. **Tailored Approach**: Culturally sensitive training for healthcare providers can help build trust and open communication. LGBTQ+ seniors are more likely to be single and less likely to have children, which can lead to isolation and mental health challenges. **Tailored Approach**: Creating community programs and support groups specifically for LGBTQ+ seniors can provide vital social support. Studies suggest that LGBTQ+ seniors might face a higher risk of certain conditions like heart disease, depression, and HIV/AIDS. **Tailored Approach**: Healthcare providers need to be proactive in screening and providing preventative care tailored to these risks. Past discrimination can lead LGBTQ+ seniors to hide their identity from healthcare providers, impacting the care they receive. **Tailored Approach**: Establishing non-discrimination policies and visibly inclusive environments can encourage openness for better health outcomes. There is a scarcity of health resources that specifically address the needs of LGBTQ+ seniors. **Tailored Approach**: Developing training programs about the specific health concerns of LGBTQ+ seniors for medical professionals is crucial. Ensuring that LGBTQ+ seniors receive compassionate and competent care will not only improve their quality of life but also honor their contributions to our communities over the decades. #LGBTQSeniors #InclusiveHealthcare #SeniorCare #AgingWithPride #LGBTQAging #ElderCare #SeniorHealth #LGBTQAdvocacy #HealthEquality #PrideInAging

When I heard the term "gender exploratory therapy", my initial thought was, "this sounds like an individual's therapist-led, unbiased exploration of their current complex feelings and experiences related to their gender and identity"... it is not. This term describes a new form of what is essentially trans and gender expansive conversion therapy. Therapy affirming one's gender is client-centered, supportive, and neutrally responsive to what could be shifting or fluid feelings around one's identity or internal sense of gender. It should be an unbiased space to safely and privately examine their gender-related thoughts and feelings. Gender affirming therapy says, "Let's enter this with curiosity and gently explore your feelings and experiences. I'm here to assist you by neutrally facilitating that exploration and helping you engage in supported self-discovery." Gender exploratory therapy says, "Why do you think you're trans or gender expansive? Let's figure out the root cause of these 'atypical' feelings— which I already know is trauma— so we can 'fix' them and get you back to 'normal' (i.e. be cis)." Thanks Miss Jai Smith for sharing this and your insights!

🌈✨ Your Ultimate Resource for Gender Affirming Care ✨🌈 Have questions about gender affirming medical care? Look no further! Our QueerDoc Blog Index is your one-stop destination for all things related to gender affirming care. Whether you're seeking advice, insights, or the latest updates in healthcare for the transgender and nonbinary community, we've got you covered. 📚💡 Dive into a wealth of knowledge curated by experts passionate about providing compassionate and comprehensive care. From navigating healthcare systems to understanding treatment options, our blog is here to guide you every step of the way. 🏳️⚧️🩺 Start exploring today and empower yourself with information that matters. Because when it comes to your health and well-being, knowledge is power. 💪🌟 #transhealthcare #genderaffirmingcare #genderaffirmingmedicalcare #transgender #nonbinary #transrightsarehumanrights