![]() ![]() “We’re not there to be the gender police. ![]() ![]() Informed consent is “trusting somebody to be the expert on their own body,” as Lola Pellegrino, who provides hormone therapy in the New York area, defined it. According to the American Medical Association Journal of Ethics, this method “seeks to better acknowledge and support patients’ right of, and their capability for, personal autonomy in choosing care options without the requirement of external evaluations or therapy by mental health professionals.” Many HRT providers now operate off of the informed consent model. What should I expect at my first appointment with an HRT provider? “If it feels too unsettling to talk with your provider alone, bring along someone you trust and who is able to advocate for you, should they need to,” Iantaffi added. Whatever route you choose, Iantaffi recommends taking some time to prepare “interview questions” for a potential provider to determine whether they’re the right choice for you. Alternatively, you can go straight to an endocrinologist or other HRT provider, like Planned Parenthood. Most major American cities have queer/trans community Facebook groups, with “Queer Exchange ” being the most prominent format. There are also online guides and databases of providers, including Transgender Care Listings, MyTransHealth, and Trans in the South. People in your area can provide much-needed information as to who your local competent providers are. Alex Iantaffi, a licensed marriage and family therapist, host of the Gender Stories podcast and co-author of the book How to Understand Your Gender: A Practical Guide for Exploring Who You Are, recommended connecting with your local trans community online. One way to start is by asking your general practitioner for a referral to an HRT provider. How do I find an HRT provider to begin with? ![]()
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