Planned Parenthood Marks Transgender Awareness Week By Highlighting the Need for Inclusive, Compassionate Care

For Immediate Release: Nov. 22, 2016

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New York, NY — This week (November 14 – 20) isTransgender Awareness Week, dedicated to educating people about the transgender community and raising awareness of the issues facing transgender and gender nonconforming people. Planned Parenthood is taking this opportunity to remind everyone of the need for people of all gender identities to have access to nonjudgmental, high-quality health care that affirms their dignity and identity.

“This November, and every day of the year, Planned Parenthood stands with transgender people,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “We see you. We care about you. We stand in solidarity with you — no matter where you live, no matter what.”

Transgender people face many barriers and challenges when accessing health care. In 2011, the “Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of The National Discrimination Survey” of transgender and gender nonconforming people from across the U.S. found that:

• 28% of respondents were subjected to harassment in medical settings and 2% were physically assaulted in doctor’s offices

• 21% of Black trans people and 23% of Latino/a trans people were refused care due to bias, with 19% overall having been refused medical care due to bias

• 50% had to “teach my provider” about basic transgender health

• 28% postponed medical care when sick or injured due to discrimination

• 41% postponed medical care when sick or injured due to inability to afford it

• Respondents reported over four times the national average of HIV infection

The study also showed the compounded effects of racial bias and anti-transgender bias on Black and Latino/a transgender people. For example, 19% of respondents at the time reported having no health insurance; for Black transgender respondents, that number was 31%.

“Transgender people, like everyone else, have a fundamental need for quality health care, and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” added Richards. “We want everyone who comes through our doors to feel welcome.”

Planned Parenthood’s services and programs are open to people of all gender identities and sexual orientations, and we are proud to provide quality, compassionate health care and education to transgender and gender nonconforming people. In addition, Planned Parenthood locations in 16 states currently offer hormone replacement therapy (HRT), either testosterone or estrogen, for transgender patients.

  

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate, serving 2.5 million patients annually through its health care service providers, and 1.5 million more through educational programs and outreach. Visit plannedparenthood.org to find the health center nearest you.

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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 approximately 700 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.