Loyola University of Chicago must create a website dedicated to gender-affirming healthcare resources for students.

What is gender-affirming healthcare? Not all people identify with the sex assigned to them at birth.  Gender-affirming healthcare aims to provide resources and treatments to help transgender and non-binary people align themselves with their gender identity.  Gender-affirming healthcare includes mental, physical, and social treatments such as hormone therapy, gender-affirming surgery, LGBTQ+ group therapy, and providing spaces, such as gender-neutral bathrooms, for transgender and non-binary people to feel safe and comfortable. 

Why is gender-affirming healthcare important? In a recent study, 104 trans or non-binary people were asked about anxiety, depression, and self-harm or suicidal thoughts both before and after receiving puberty blockers (PBs) or gender-affirming hormones (GAHs).  It was found that overall rates of mental health concerns decreased after the individuals received PBs or GAHs.  This study highlights the positive impact gender-affirming healthcare can have on trans and non-binary people.

Loyola has a responsibility to provide equitable access to healthcare for all students.  Equal and equitable are not the same thing.   Loyola needs to recognize transgender and non-binary students face various challenges and have different healthcare needs than cisgender students, and their resources should reflect that.  

How can Loyola better support transgender and non-binary students?  Loyola Chicago should provide a transgender and non-binary health information website.  Finding low-cost or insurance coverage for gender-affirming healthcare can be stressful to navigate.  Loyola has the opportunity to reduce some of the barriers trans and non-binary students face.

The page should include information about Loyola’s LGBTQ+ group therapy, instructions on changing names and pronouns in LOCUS, how to legally change a name, outside resources for mental and physical health, and information about insurance plans or affordable options. 

Please sign this petition to urge President Mark C. Reed and Loyola University of Chicago to create a website providing resources for gender-affirming healthcare.