{"id":131617,"date":"2020-04-06T08:25:36","date_gmt":"2020-04-06T12:25:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/an-update-on-gender-affirming-care-during-the-covid-19-pandemic\/"},"modified":"2020-04-06T08:25:36","modified_gmt":"2020-04-06T12:25:36","slug":"an-update-on-gender-affirming-care-during-the-covid-19-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gayfriendschat.com\/socialblog\/an-update-on-gender-affirming-care-during-the-covid-19-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"An Update on Gender Affirming Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

An Update on Gender Affirming Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic<\/b>
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Post submitted by Carl G Streed Jr. MD, MPH (Research Lead), Jennifer Siegel MD (Medical Director), Center for Transgender Medicine & Surgery at Boston Medical Center<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

By now, we all have seen the impact of COVID-19 on our daily lives. We have been quarantining and physically distancing from our loved ones, witnessed hospitals overwhelmed by the crisis and seen people lose their jobs and livelihoods. Some of us may have already experienced personal loss. We know LGBTQ communities are particularly vulnerable<\/a> to both the economic and health impacts of the virus–because they are more likely to work in industries highly-impacted by the pandemic, such as service industries–and they may have more health risk factors that exacerbate the disease, like smoking<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As part of their response to the pandemic, hospital systems across the country have postponed non-emergency surgeries and procedures in order to prioritize care for COVID-19 patients. This includes many gender-affirming procedures<\/a>, which are now unfortunately on hold.<\/p>\n

We know that gender-affirming medical and surgical care are essential to the long-term well-being<\/a> of our transgender and gender diverse patients, families and communities. Just because these procedures have currently been classified as non-urgent does not mean we consider them to be non-essential. We know that gender-affirming care is indeed lifesaving, but we also know that right now the immediate health of the public is paramount. While our transgender and gender-diverse patients understand this, we know that understanding reasons for postponing procedures does not make these postponements any less distressing.<\/p>\n

As health care professionals, we recognize that the postponement of these essential surgeries can take a dangerous mental health toll on our patients, many of whom have waited years<\/a> and gone through a long–and often painful–process in order to finally get them scheduled. We want to be sure that our patients know that we are still here for them during this stressful and painful time. If you or a loved one has had gender-affirming care postponed due to COVID-19, you are not alone.<\/p>\n

Our Center for Transgender Medicine & Surgery<\/a> at Boston Medical Center is still fielding phone calls<\/a>, conducting telemedicine visits and managing hormone therapy. We do not know of any shortages of hormone therapy at this time, and we ask that patients do not “stock up” or “hoard” medications as that could potentially lead to a temporary shortage. We need to look out for each other and be sure that everyone is getting the care they can at this time — so please reach out to your trans<\/a> siblings to let them know they are supported and loved.<\/p>\n

If you are struggling, please find some resources below. And please reach out to your doctor or local LGBTQ center<\/a> for any personal questions:<\/p>\n

HRC Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n