November 20, 2017

Planned Parenthood Marks Transgender Awareness Day

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November 20 is Transgender Awareness Day, dedicated to educating people about the transgender community and raising awareness about the issues facing transgender and gender nonconforming people. Planned Parenthood is taking this opportunity to remind everyone that people of all gender identities need access to inclusive, nonjudgmental, high-quality health care.

"Planned Parenthood is proud to provide quality, compassionate healthcare to transgender men, women, adolescents, and gender nonconforming people," said Dr, Gillian Dean, senior director of medical services for Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "Our services and programs are open to people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Our goal, every day, is to make each person who comes through our doors feel welcome, comfortable, and cared for while providing the best possible care."

Transgender people face many barriers and challenges to accessing health care. A 2015 national survey of transgender and gender nonconforming people found that:

  • 33 percent of respondents reported having at least one negative experience with a healthcare provider in the past year related to being transgender, including verbal harassment, being refused treatment, or having to teach the healthcare provider about transgender people to receive appropriate care.

  • 23 percent of respondents did not see a doctor when they needed to in the past year because of fear of being mistreated as a transgender person. American Indian (37 percent) and Middle Eastern (34 percent) respondents were more likely not to have gone to a provider due to fear of being mistreated.

  • 33 percent of respondents did not see a doctor when they needed to in the past year because of cost. People of color, including multiracial (42 percent), Native American (41 percent), Black (40 percent), and Latino/a (37 percent) respondents, were more likely not to have seen a doctor or other healthcare provider due to cost. People with disabilities (42 percent) were also more likely not to have seen a health provider when they needed to because of cost.

  • Respondents were living with HIV at nearly five times the rate in the U.S. population. HIV rates were higher among transgender women, especially transgender women of color.

  • 78 percent of respondents wanted to receive hormone therapy at some point in their life, but only 49 percent have ever received it.

    The study also showed the devastating effects of anti-transgender and racial bias on transgender people of color. Black and Latino/a trans people, also the target of most anti-trans violence, faced some of the worst instances of discrimination. As of 2015, for example, 14 percent of respondents reported having no health insurance; for Black transgender respondents, the number was 20 percent.

    Since Donald Trump was elected to office, extreme politicians have initiated a concerted effort to roll back recent progress in health care access, nondiscrimination policies, and basic safety for transgender and gender non-conforming people.

    "More than ever, transgender people -- especially trans women of color -- need support, resources, and solidarity," Dean said. "Planned Parenthood believes that all people deserve access to quality, affordable health care, and we will continue to be there for our transgender staff, patients, and supporters, along with people of all gender identities."

    Planned Parenthood is the nation's leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation's largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment.

    Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

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