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LGBTQ+

Voices of Resilience: Valuable Services and Affirming Care for Transgender and Gender-Expansive Adolescents an Young Adults in a Gender Health Clinic

(PS9-76) Voices of Resilience: Valuable Services and Affirming Care for Transgender and Gender-expansive Adolescents an Young Adults in a Gender Health Clinic

Saturday, November 16, 2024

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM EST

Location: Franklin Hall, Level 4, Marriott Downtown

Author(s)

Allison Peipert, B.S.

Graduate Student
Indiana University- Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana, United States

Co-Author(s)

TD

Trey V. Dellucci, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Indiana University
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
KD

Kelly Donahue, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
Indiana University School of Medicine
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Abstract Text: Introduction: Transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) youth, whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth, have unique care needs to support healthy development. TGE identities are a natural and healthy dimension of gender, but the experience of sex-related characteristics inconsistent with gender identity can cause distress and impairment (i.e., gender dysphoria) that indicates TGE-focused interventions. Standards for TGE health care are available but these interventions are not widely accessible. Moreover, legislative efforts in many U.S. states aim to restrict or ban care for TGE children, adolescents, and young adults. Existing research on gender affirming care for youth overwhelmingly suggests the benefits of gender-affirming interventions outweigh potential risks. However, there is limited research available from the unique perspectives of TGE youth themselves. The purpose of this study was to describe valuable services identified by TGE youth receiving care in a gender health clinic. Methods: We used text data collected via a survey on experiences in a Midwest gender health clinic. Responses from 45 TGE youth were included. We conducted a qualitative content analysis using a pre-established set of themes based on the standards of care interventions and added or changed codes as needed to represent the data and address any coding discrepancies. We achieved 100% consensus through this process. Results: A qualitative analysis of text data from TGE youth suggested patients in the clinic identify many interventions associated with the standards of care as valuable, including: identity-related exploration and discussion, provision of mental health support, medical interventions (i.e., puberty suppression, menstrual suppression, gender-affirming hormone treatment, gender-affirming surgery) social transition support (e.g., legal name and gender marker changes), and collaboration with local resources and referrals. Moreover, patients in our study highlighted the value of receiving care from affirming providers outside of the interventions themselves, including feeling safe, validated, and supported in their gender identity, expression, and exploration.

Conclusions: This study highlights the perspectives of TGE youth regarding the services provided in a gender health clinic. Our results underscore the importance and value of interventions outlined in established standards of care. Beyond the interventions associated with standards of care, our results demonstrate the critical nature of the clinic environment, such that TGE youth valued receiving care from affirming providers who create a safe and validating atmosphere for their gender identity, expression, and exploration.