UCI Gender Diversity Program

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Pediatric Gender Diversity Program

When your sex assigned at birth doesn’t match your gender identity, or internal sense of self, resolving the disconnect can feel overwhelming. The range of feelings experienced by young people with gender dysphoria are as varied as the number of gender expansive or gender creative youth and young adults.

Families are often unsure how to help or where to turn for guidance. Untrained healthcare professionals may stumble in their efforts provide support.

Recognizing the lack of services available for the transgender community, UCI Health established the Pediatric Gender Diversity Program. It is Orange County’s only multidisciplinary program caring specifically for young people whose gender identity or expression may be in conflict with their physical characteristics or with what others expect of them.

Here, transgender individuals and their loved ones can obtain expert guidance related to gender-affirming hormone treatment, puberty suppression, navigating insurance, and the importance of mental health. Help us raise $10,000 to expand the program and support more of our young community! Your gift, of any amount, will go a long way toward improving our current services.

Community outreach is vital to increase awareness and understanding of the wide range of gender diversity in children, adolescents, and adults. This program prepares physicians, trainees, mental health providers, and medical staff to provide expert, compassionate care. We train local school personnel to foster environments that are friendly and welcoming for all students, regardless of their gender identity, expression, or sexual orientation.

But, the need is great and resources are limited.  You can help transgender young people and their families find their way in an unfamiliar world.  With your support, we can accomplish the following:

• Increase clinic capacity to see additional patients

• Expand program services to include sexual health and HIV prevention education and medication

• Introduce support groups facilitated by gender-affirming and transgender-competent licensed mental health providers

• Expand our provider education and offer continuing education credit

• Offer options to families who do not have other means of covering the cost of care

Partner with us to improve the health and happiness of transgender and gender nonconforming young people. Your gift can improve the health and wellbeing of local families and communities. 

Special Thanks to Amelia Oh for production of the video!  Instagram: @ Canvas_Cleric