Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania, which is located in Pittsburgh (where I live and teach), has announced “Extended Clinic Hours for Transgender, FTM, Two-Spirit, Genderqueer, Gender Nonconforming, Butch Women, Queer and Questioning people.” They explain the impetus for the extended hours as follows:
Transgender people often experience discrimination in healthcare settings. Here at Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania we want to create a safer space for transgender and gender nonconforming people to get the care they need.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality recently came out with the largest transgender research study to date. According to their findings:
- 55% of Transmen have forgone care due to inability to pay
- 42% of Transmen have postponed necessary care due to discrimination by providers
The extended hours are next Wednesday, Apr. 20th, from 5-8 p.m. They will be providing refreshments, free lube and condoms, a transmen’s health resources table, free STD testing, group or individual clinic tours, an opportunity to meet staff and ask questions, one-on-one consultations, pap testing and pelvic exams, and a feedback system.
-Tony Infanti
