Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio Launches Gender-Affirming Care Program in Toledo
For Immediate Release: May 22, 2023 (Updated: May 22, 2023, noon)
TOLEDO, Ohio—Today, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio (PPGOH) announced the expansion of gender-affirming care services to its Toledo Health Center, marking the first step in PPGOH’s goal to bring gender-affirming care to all of its health centers in the state.
First launched by PPGOH in 2021 to support transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming Ohioans in accessing the care they need to become their most authentic and complete selves, gender-affirming care is currently available at PPGOH’s Akron, Athens, Franklinton, Kent, Mansfield, and Old Brooklyn Health Centers.
“There is no question that gender-affirming care is lifesaving care,” said Iris Harvey, president and CEO of PPGOH. “With gender-affirming care under attack nationwide, access to these services has never been more important. This effort in Toledo marks an essential next step for Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio to better reach and support more patients. It is our mission to ensure that all Ohioans are able to easily access the care they need in a safe and judgment-free environment.”
Services PPGOH provides under its gender-affirming care program include gender-affirming hormone therapy, as well as birth control, cancer screenings, care coordination, HIV prevention, testing and counseling, patient navigation services, primary care, and STI testing and treatment.
From 2021 to 2022, PPGOH experienced a 544% increase in gender-affirming care visits, indicating high demand and need for this care among Ohioans. However, Ohio has also seen an unprecedented rise in anti-LGBTQ legislation this year. Gender-affirming care services are lifesaving – research shows that gender-affirming care is associated with positive effects on body image and lower odds of depression and suicidality.
“At a time where access to gender-affirming care is being challenged daily, we are proud to increase access to this lifesaving care,” said Melissa Braden, PPGOH’s director of gender-affirming care. “Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio is here to provide compassionate support for our patients and provide them with the resources needed to live their most authentic lives.”
“We are providing this essential health care to our adult patients to allow them to live their lives as their true authentic selves,” said Dr. Adarsh Krishen, chief medical officer at PPGOH. “Expanding our gender-affirming care to our Toledo Health Center will enable us to better care for folks in our communities, especially those in western Ohio. We’re committed to improving our patients’ quality of life through judgment-free, accessible health care.”
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Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio operates 17 health centers throughout Ohio, offering reproductive health care services for generations of Ohioans; supporting people of color, those with low incomes, and the LGBTQ+ community. PPGOH is committed to the health and safety of Ohio residents by doing everything they can to ensure everyone has access to the full range of reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion.