Announcing (bum bum bum ba!) the Trans Gynecology Access Program

by Riley Johnson

Are you a transmasculine, butch, or genderqueer person dragging your feet on visiting the gynecologist?

We get it - we've been there.

Rarely do women, let alone transmasculine, butch or genderqueer people, look forward to their yearly gynecology exam. For trans people, that feeling of dread at the mention of a pap smear can be compounded by bad experiences with past providers, the preference that certain body parts didn’t exist, or just the strangeness of walking into a gynecology office with facial hair.

Announcing (bum bum bum ba!) the Trans Gynecology Access Program (TGAP), a new joint endeavor between Chicago Women's Health Center and the Queer People’s Health Collective. The goal is to break down the many barriers faced by transmasculine communities when accessing gyne care. Features of the program are a client/provider team approach to making health care decisions, emphasis on preventative care methods, such as safer sex and harm reduction, and the integration of alternative medicine as an option when appropriate. As part of a peer based model of care, TGAP clients have the option of being accompanied by a transman health educator during any portion of the gynecological exam. If a referral is needed, we’ve worked to collect a list of providers who treat trans people with respect and dignity.

As a program founded by transfolks and allies for the transmasculine community, TGAP strives to be community-driven, and the feedback of our clients will continue to inform our practices and our programs. Questions, comments, and suggestions encouraged!

To schedule an appointment with TGAP, please call CWHC at 773.935.6126 and ask for a TGAP appointment, or if preferred, you are more than welcome to schedule a gynecology appointment outside the TGAP program as well. Appointments will take place at CWHC: 3435 N. Sheffield Avenue, Suite 206A in Chicago.

Flexible sliding scale fees are available for all services.

For more information about TGAP, please contact Riley at info@qphc.org

Coming soon- a logo contest for this program!