Cygnus Pavo describes struggles finding affirming primary and mental health care
Cygnus Pavo, a Youth Advocate Fellow at NYTAG, says trans people struggle to find affordable, reputable, gender-affirming clinics. He describes friends refused hormone therapy at pharmacies and says a DOHMH LGBTQ+ health section would be a vital commitment; supports Intro 949, Res 208, and Res 547.
Thank you, Chair Farias, Chair Caban, Chair Naisis, and members of the Committee on Women and Gender Equity, the Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use, and the Committee on Hospitals for holding this hearing, providing us with the opportunity to testify.
My name is Cygnus Pavel.
I use they, them pronouns, and I'm a Youth Advocate Fellow at the New York Transgender Advocacy Group.
As a trans person who is currently receiving gender-affirming care, I've struggled in the past and still struggle now to find a healthcare provider that fits my needs.
I personally had to search long and hard to find a gender-affirming clinic that is not only accessible, but affordable and reputable.
Receiving gender-affirming care in any form, from hormone therapy to affirming surgeries, is an extensive process and it will affect every other type of healthcare you receive.
I am currently struggling to find primary care physicians that I know will not discriminate against me because I am medically transitioning.
I've had friends in the past who went to CVS or any other major pharmacy to pick up their hormone therapy, only for them to be interrogated and even outright refused their medication.
I have even more friends that can't access gender-affirming care because of affordability issues or not being able to access knowledge regarding clinics that will accept their insurance.
Trans people, even in New York City, which is considered a safe haven, struggle to find places to receive health care without facing discrimination.
Across the U.S., gender-affirming care is being outlawed, and private hospitals such as Mount Sinai and NYU Langone are capitulating to the federal administration and restricting who can receive care.
Having a portion of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's website dedicated to LGBTQ plus healthcare would be a vital commitment to NYC's LGBTQ plus citizens, a commitment that is very defined in this political climate.
We support Insure 949 to create a resource map related to the unique healthcare needs of LGBTQI plus individuals, including information regarding access to LGBTQIS health services and attaining and providing gender-affirming care.
We support Resolution 0208, mandating all medical students in New York State to receive anti-bias training, and we support Resolution 0547 to establish a gender-affirming care program in the Department of Health to ensure the continuity of gender-affirming care services in the state.
We thank the Committee on Women and Gender Equity and the Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use for its continued support and leadership in protecting transgender, gender nonconforming, and non-binary New Yorkers.
Thank you for allowing us to testify, and we look forward to working with you to make sure trans folks get the support they deserve.