CINCINNATI — Planned Parenthood now offers gender-affirming therapy to members of the transgender community in Cincinnati, and it’s considered a breakthrough for adults looking to access treatment beyond adolescence.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center has a robust program for trans youth, but once those children become adults, they age out of that particular therapy. Planned Parenthood says it’s now here to take the reins.
“Here’s somewhere I can show up to where my identity is not going to be at the forefront of this,” said Tristan Vaught, the co-founder of Transform Cincy.
Vaught said the area is becoming a hub for gender-affirming care and inclusion, racing to meet a growing need for trans adults.
“They age out at 25, and in this area, after 25 we have maybe a couple of doctors who are maxed out with patients on gender-affirming care,” Vaught said.
That’s where Planned Parenthood comes in. The healthcare provider has served all genders for decades.
“Now, we are stepping up to really offer that specialized care – gender hormone therapy for our transgender patients and on binary patients," said President and CEO Kersha Deibel, adding that the therapy provides an affordable option in a non-judgemental space.
“The unfortunate reality is that in addition to economic, geographic barriers, in order to just access healthcare – any healthcare in this day and age – those barriers already exist and they exist even more for folks in the transgender community,” Deibel said.
Vaught, who is non-binary, said that’s an issue they’ve seen firsthand.
“It’s massive because even with insurance a lot of times you’re fighting with insurance companies on covering these types of interventions,” Vaught said.
And in addition to financial help, Vaught said there’s a bigger benefit offered to everyone who walks through their doors: “Just knowing that you can go to your doctor and being able to talk about this stuff without judgement, without fear and without being turned away."
Planned Parenthood’s hormone therapy services are now available at all of its area health centers in Mount Auburn, Hamilton and Dayton. The provider also offers reduced prompt pay rates for all of services for patients without access to insurance.
“No matter what ZIP code you’re in, no matter what your race is, your sexual orientation, your gender, no matter who you are, we are here as a healthcare provider for you,” Deibel said.
