As we continue to witness the increased attacks and oppression of marginalized people worldwide, it is vital that we acknowledge the common struggles we all share to fight for a better world for all. We encourage our supporters, partners, and allies to seek out the education and resources available in our local communities and beyond as we continue to work together toward a more equitable future for reproductive health and LGBTQ+ rights and protections. Below you will find some of these resources for both our LGBTQ+ community and our allies, and we encourage you to share them with your own networks and communities!
For those looking to get involved, find information, or get to know our local community resources, here are several organizations doing the work to better the lives of the LGBTQ+ community locally and beyond!
For those looking to contribute to statistics and studies that are used to back legal protections for queer and trans folks nationwide, sign up for The Pride Study! This organization compiles information shared voluntarily from everyday people within the LGBTQ+ community to put together various reports and articles about how our community is affected by different things. Many of these studies are used as evidence in court to back legal protections and debunk bogus claims that attempt to back anti-trans legislation. These researchers often have a booth at San Diego Pride.
For local trans-specific programming, support groups, activism, and resources, check out San Diego’s local organization: TFSS! They host many events throughout the year for trans people of various ages and intersecting identities, organize resources for trans youth and parents, and have many opportunities to volunteer. They also have a booth at San Diego Pride every year — and fun fact— they were right behind our contingent in the San Diego Pride March in 2023!
As part of the services offered by The Center (San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community center), the Name and Gender Change Clinic offers clients direct guidance on changing their names and/or gender markers on all legal documentation— free of charge! By partnering with local attorneys and the University of San Diego Pride Law, this clinic will walk you through each step and each form that is required for whichever legal documents you would like to reflect your chosen name and gender.
I used this service, and it more than met my expectations! After trying repeatedly to fill out and submit the exceedingly complex and particular forms to update my name and gender on my driver’s license and social security card, I was still nowhere closer to making those changes official. I was recommended to this clinic by a friend, and within 2 months, I had all the necessary forms completed, checked by their legal team, and an appointment made to officially submit the documents to the city for review and approval. They work with your schedule, are very easy to reach and stay in touch with, and are completely free!
— Carson, staff member at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest
LGBTQ+ Community Centers
There are several Centers throughout San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial counties, all with varying community programs, resources, support groups, and volunteering opportunities. The main San Diego center is simply called The Center, while our North County community is connected to the North County LGBTQ+ Center. Both locations offer various support groups catering to particular identities, intersectionalities, and experiences, as well as educational resources, mental health services, and community outreach. Our communities in the Inland Empire are served by the Transgender Health and Wellness Center, the Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance, and the LGBTQ+ Community Center of the Desert, along with many others. These centers are great places to get involved with community, receive support, seek resources and education, and connect with other like-minded folks to build a stronger community network.
Planned Parenthood Health Centers
Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy Services
As states across the nation continue their legal attacks on transgender care specifically, here at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest we continue to provide many gender-affirming care services to our patients both in and out of state. In fact, in 2023 alone, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest saw an 83 percent increase in gender-affirming care appointments! Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT, also sometimes called hormone replacement therapy or HRT), continued GAHT care, guidance on hormone self-injection, and letters and referrals for additional gender-affirming care services are all provided to our transgender patients in need. Also, all our health care services are available for patients regardless of gender, contributing to a more equitable care model and reducing stigma around gender-related care.
Health Records Are More Inclusive at Planned Parenthood
With the rollout of our new health records system last year, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest has been able to create a more welcoming and affirming environment for all patients in our health centers. Along with the gender-affirming care already offered at many of our health centers, the new health records system allows all patients to provide their chosen names on paperwork and scheduling forms, enabling our staff to use all patients’ chosen names during appointments.
As someone who has been to numerous doctors’ offices where their only option and practice was to use my old legal name rather than my chosen name, knowing that Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest patients can show up to our health centers knowing they will have their identities respected from the moment they walk in the door, makes me proud to work here.
- Carson, staff member at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group
Along with serving our local and out-of-state LGBTQ+ communities, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest also has an LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group for our queer and trans staff. Space is held for community connection, shared support, and care during these particularly dangerous times, and organizing ways that Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest can further serve our community of patients.
As both historical and current events have shown, the fight for reproductive rights and protections go hand in hand with the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and protections. As opposition groups attempt to divide us and attack our communities in the courts and beyond, it is more vital than ever that we understand that we are all fighting the same fight. Working together with our local organizations, our fellow staff members, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest supporters, and community connections wherever we are, will help pave the way for a brighter and better future for us all.
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