Gender-affirming care saves lives. I’m proud to be part of a team in Tacoma providing it

Over the last several weeks, the number of calls to the Mary Bridge Children’s Gender Health Clinic has increased significantly. They’re calls from patients who are terrified about the future of health care for the LGBTQIA+ community, sparked by legislation around the country aiming to limit — or deny altogether — affirming health care for transgender and gender-diverse youth.

I am a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and identify as gender non-conforming. I am also proud to work at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital as a social worker for our Gender Health Clinic.

I want to help kids in our community feel seen, heard and valued.

I want kids to have access to the type of gender-affirming care that I could have only wished for as a young person.

Most of all, I want these kids to stay safe.

Laws and regulations coming out of states like Texas, Arizona, Idaho and Florida will do more harm than good for transgender and gender-diverse youth. As health care providers, we vow to “do no harm” to patients. We must recognize that this includes psychological harm caused when care is threatened, restricted or denied.

Hearing the concerns of youth in the community as they see what is happening around the country is alarming. I have reassured every patient who has called that they have a safe space here and that we – as gender-affirming providers – are honored to walk alongside them as they navigate their unique journeys and treatment options.

National studies consistently show that transgender and gender-diverse youth with access to gender-affirming care have better health outcomes, both physically and emotionally, than those who do not. Additionally, rates of suicide and suicidal ideation for this population decrease when they know that they have supportive allies.

At Mary Bridge Children’s, we are proud to provide affirming care for — and honor the rights of — all patients.

Since joining Mary Bridge Children’s Gender Health Clinic in 2019, I have witnessed our referrals increase from less than five to more than 35 every month. Our multidisciplinary team of pediatric specialists includes dedicated endocrinologists, psychologists, registered nurses, social worker and registered dietitian who commit every day to meet the needs of this vulnerable population.

Our priority at Mary Bridge Children’s Gender Health Clinic is to ensure a safe space for transgender and gender-diverse youth to receive care tailored to their unique needs. We specialize in caring for children and adolescents who are exploring their gender identity and what that looks like for their personal health care road map.

If patients decide to move forward with gender-affirming medical care, we offer a three-step process that includes education, resource connections, counseling and affirming medical support. Mary Bridge Children’s respects all parties with medical decision-making authority and does not provide treatment without their consent.

We do not provide gender-affirming surgeries at Mary Bridge Children’s, but support and connect patients with appropriate care in this area. Gender-affirming care looks different for all our patients and we are proud to support them in their journeys.

It takes a village. Gender-affirming care is lifesaving for all people who need it, especially our youth.

We must stand in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ youth because their safety — and their lives — depends on us and clinics like ours that ensure a safe route to care.

Aytch Denaro (they/them), MSW, is a licensed social worker at Mary Bridge Children’s Gender Health Clinic.

This story was originally published April 3, 2022 at 5:00 AM.