Resources compiled by North Star volunteer, Charley Cummings, June 2021

How to find an LGBTQ+ competent healthcare provider

Finding a healthcare provider who you can trust and who also understands your health needs can be a challenge. The following resources and directories can eliminate some of the guesswork and help you locate an affirming medical provider or surgeon.  

• Outcare https://www.outcarehealth.org/ 
• WPATH Provider Search https://www.wpath.org/provider/search 
• Trans in the South https://southernequality.org/resources/transinthesouth/#provider-map 
• GLMA Provider Directory http://www.glma.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=939 
• Wake Forest Safe Zone in Medicine Trained Providers https://www.wakehealth.edu/About-Us/Inclusion-and-Diversity/Safe-Zone-in-Medicine 
• Transgender Surgeons https://www.transhealthcare.org/ 
• National LGBT Cancer Network Provider Databases https://cancer-network.org/providerdatabases/ 
• Charlotte Transgender Healthcare Group https://cthcg.org/provider-services/ 
• ECU Sexual & Gender Diversity Committee https://sgdc.ecu.edu/affirming-providers/ 

Tips

1. Know your rights when it comes to healthcare: https://healthcarebillofrights.org/ 
2. Look to see if the provider/surgeon is a WPATH member – this is especially important if you are taking hormones or seeking gender affirming surgery because membership in WPATH signals that they adhere to the standards of care for transgender/nonbinary health. WPATH certification is even better (though harder to find)!
3. Cross check the provider on multiple directories – if they are listed in more than one directory this is generally a good sign that they have made an effort to be visible to the LGBTQ+ community and are more likely to be vetted.
4. Look for non-gendered and gender expansive language on the provider’s bio / website.
5. Call the front desk and ask questions:
   1. Are your providers and staff trained in LGBTQ health?
   2. Does your facility have gender neutral bathrooms?
   3. Does this provider regularly work with {insert identity marker} or would I be one of the first?
6. Ask to review the intake/new patient forms before your appointment – options for name, pronouns and gender identity are generally a good sign.
7. Seek a word-of-mouth recommendation – post on LGBTQ community groups (e.g. Facebook) to seek out a referral from other community members.  
   1. Be mindful of your privacy and consider how much you are comfortable sharing on Facebook – some Facebook groups are moderated with the option of posting anonymously.

Transgender Care for Adults 18+ in the Triad and Beyond

• Kalos Comprehensive Care (Greensboro) https://kaloscarenc.com/ 
• Planned Parenthood South Atlantic (Winston Salem & Greensboro) https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center 
• Mosaic Comprehensive Care (Chapel Hill) https://mosaiccarenc.com/transgender-care/ 

Telehealth Options in NC

Things to Keep in Mind

• Providers are all vetted and experienced in trans/nonbinary health and you can count on a consistent, gender-affirming experience
• Will prescribe gender-affirming hormones whether you are starting or continuing
• Often do not accept insurance (self-pay) and function in a membership/subscription-based service model 
• Do not see younger folks under age 18
• Does not replace the need for a PCP for preventive care like annual physicals, health & cancer screenings, and management of other chronic health conditions

Transgender & Non-binary youth and younger folks under 18

You will generally want to look for Pediatric Endocrinologists and “Gender Clinics”, especially for pre-pubertal folks interested in puberty blockers and/or families seeking support from an integrated team of pediatric specialists

• UNC PAC-G https://www.uncchildrens.org/uncmc/unc-childrens/care-treatment/endocrinology/clinical-programs/gender-clinic/ 
• Duke Child & Adolescent Gender Care https://www.dukehealth.org/locations/duke-child-and-adolescent-gender-care 
• Levine Children’s Center for Gender Health https://atriumhealth.org/medical-services/childrens-services/childrens-specialty-care/center-for-gender-health 
• Some family medicine and pediatrics offices will offer hormone therapy for adolescents & post-pubertal folks. The Charlotte Transgender Healthcare Group https://cthcg.org/provider-services/ lists options and includes providers who offer affirming primary care services
• CHMG Tim and Carolynn Rice Center for Child and Adolescent Health https://www.conehealthmedicalgroup.com/chmg/practice-locations/profile/rice-center-for-children/ 

Other Healthcare Resources

NC Health Info LGBTQIA+ Health https://www.nchealthinfo.org/health-topics/lgbtqia-health/ 

CDC LGBT Health https://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/index.htm 

National LGBT Cancer Network https://cancer-network.org/ 

LGBT Health Link https://blog.lgbthealthlink.org/ 

Sexual Health, PrEP & PEP

Please PrEP Me https://www.pleaseprepme.org/northcarolina 

PrEP Locator https://preplocator.org/ 

POSSE (free & confidential STI testing) https://possehealth.org/ 

Alamance Cares https://www.alamancecares.com/ 

Grants and Financial Assistance

Trans in the South https://southernequality.org/resources/transinthesouth/funding-your-transition/ 

Transcend Legal: Legal support to help people get transgender-related health care covered under insurance. https://transcendlegal.org/