Transgender Persons
"Transgender" is an umbrella term used to describe gender
identity, expression, and behavior that do not conform to socially
ascribed gender norms for one’s biological sex at birth. Included
within transgender are transsexuals, individuals who alter their bodies
with hormones or surgery so that their gender identity and biological sex
at birth match more closely. Others may choose not to alter their bodies
and instead express gender in less permanent ways, including through
clothing, hair, make up, pronoun usage, and other behaviors on a spectrum
of gender expression. Still others choose not to alter their
external appearance. Regardless, diverse transgender people are unified by
the desire to be seen and treated in a way consistent with how they
self-identify.
While the process of exploring sexual orientation usually accompanies the
process of exploring gender, sexual orientation and gender identity are
different. Sexual orientation refers to the sex of people someone is
attracted to and has sexual interest in, while gender identity refers to a
person's internal understanding of his or her own gender. Someone who is
transgender may identify as heterosexual, bisexual, or gay or lesbian.
Transgender people have many of the same health concerns as
non-transgender people. For instance, they should maintain a healthy diet
and body weight, exercise, and receive regular medical care. Many other
recommendations for health promoting behaviors, such as wearing a
seatbelt, washing hands, and getting screened for diseases regularly,
apply to all people, regardless of gender identity.
There is a relative lack of data on transgender people, but existing
research, including in Wisconsin, suggests that transgender people have
higher rates of adverse outcomes in substance abuse, HIV, depression,
anxiety, self-harm, and violence. For example, when compared to their
non-LGBT counterparts, LGBT people are twice as likely to binge drink,
6 times as likely to be afraid for their safety, and 7 times as likely to
have felt depressed in the past 30 days. Finally, transgender people who
choose to undergo sex reassignment may have further health concerns
related to surgery and hormone therapy.
The following selection of resources is intended to increase awareness
of health issues and disparities affecting transgender people. Use the
left side navigation bar to learn more about any of the health concerns
addressed below.
All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the
benefit of the general public. The Department of Health Services does not
testify to, sponsor, or endorse the accuracy of the information provided
on externally linked pages.
Hyperlinks marked with the 
icon indicate Wisconsin resources.
GENERAL RESOURCES
Center
of Excellence for Transgender Health
Description: Based at the University of California, San Francisco,
this academic center focuses on increasing access to comprehensive,
effective, and affirming healthcare services for trans and gender-variant
communities.
Resource availability: Internet
Health
information for transgender people
Description: General health information for
transgender people, published by the CDC
Resource availability: Internet
Transgender
Aging Network
Description: Online support group and email news list hosted by FORGE
Resource availability: Milwaukee
Transgender
health care guidelines
Description: Guidelines for mental and clinical healthcare for both
female-to-male (FTM) and male-to-female (MTF) transgender people published by Healthcommunities.com
Resource availability: Internet
See all General Resources
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Alcohol
abuse, addiction, and treatment
Description: Wisconsin DHS website on alcohol abuse, addiction, and
treatment, including links to other resources
Resource availability: Internet
Alcohol
addiction
Description: Symptoms of alcohol addiction and statistics about
alcohol use among LGBT people published by the Pride Institute
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota; Fort Lauderdale,
Florida; Internet
Drug
abuse
Description: Symptoms of drug abuse and statistics about drug use
among LGBT people published by the Pride Institute
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota and Fort Lauderdale,
Florida
Pride Institute
Description: LGBT drug and alcohol addiction treatment center
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota and Fort Lauderdale,
Florida
CANCER
General
information on transgender people and cancer
Description: Information about risk factors, and transgender-specific
cancer screening guidelines; published by Vancouver Coastal Health
Resource availability: Internet
National LGBT Cancer
Network
Description: Information on population specific cancer risks, optional
electronic screening reminder Resource availability: Internet
National LGBT Cancer Project
Description: National nonprofit LGBT organization providing cancer
survivor support and advocacy services.
Resource availability: Internet
Out With Cancer
Description: Cancer information and social network for LGBT persons
diagnosed with cancer.
Resource availability: Internet
HIV/AIDS
AIDS Network
Description: Legal, life care, prevention, and support group
information for people living with AIDS
Resource availability: South Central Wisconsin
AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin
Description: Medical center, social services, and prevention
programs
Resource availability: Wisconsin
Wisconsin HIV/STD/Hepatitis
C Information and Referral Center
Description: Fact sheets, testing referrals, and external links
Resource availability: Internet
MENTAL HEALTH
Anxiety
disorders in LGBT populations
Description: Information on anxiety disorders in LGBT populations
published by the Pride Institute
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota; Fort Lauderdale,
Florida; Internet
Depression
in LGBT populations
Description: Information on depression in LGBT populations published
by the Pride Institute
Resource availability: Minneapolis, Minnesota; Fort Lauderdale,
Florida; and Internet
National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Description: A 24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention
hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Resource availability: Internet and toll-free hotline:
1-800-273-TALK [8255]
SEXUAL HEALTH
General STD information
Description: The CDC's webpage about STDs, including a testing site
locator, statistics, and treatment guidelines
Resource availability: Internet
Wisconsin HIV/STD/Hepatitis
C Information and Referral Center
Description: Information and service finder for STD diagnosis and
treatment
Resource availability: Wisconsin
TOBACCO
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- Tips from Former Smokers
Description: Real stories of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT)
people who are suffering from smoking-related diseases and disabilities.
Resource availability: Internet
National LGBT Tobacco Control
Network
Description: Quit strategies and resources, outreach information,
statistics, and scientific literature
Resource availability: Internet
rm2Breathe
Description: Statewide anti-tobacco program for lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender people, coordinated by Diverse and Resilient
Resource availability: Wisconsin
VIOLENCE/SAFETY
AARDVARC (An
Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Collection)
Description: Information on domestic violence in gay and lesbian
relationships, including state laws and how to recognizing and reacting to
abuse and locate resources
Resource availability: Internet
Anti-Violence
Project
Description: Victim advocacy, community outreach, and service provider
education program at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center
Resource availability: Milwaukee
Northwest Network
Description: LGBT information and support regarding abuse and
violence (based in Seattle, WA)
Resource availability: Internet
Transgender
Sexual Violence Project Description
Description: Resources, including information, support groups, and a
listserv, for transgender individuals and others who are not served by
other sexual violence response systems; hosted by FORGE
Resource availability: Milwaukee, Internet
StopBullying.gov
Description: Information from various government agencies on how
kids, teens, young adults, parents, educators and others in the community
can prevent or stop bullying.
Resource availability: Internet
(Photograph on this page courtesy of Diverse and
Resilient.)
Last Revised: April 08, 2013 |
