Gender dysphoria is one of few identities still deemed a health issue that requires diagnosis same-sex desire was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel (DSM) in 1973. In order to medically transition and get safe access to hormones and other support, transgender people need to come out to a doctor and are often required to attend therapy.

In 2013 England's National Health Service's (NHS) changed protocol for gender dysphoria patients, asking general practitioners to refer to a gender clinic which can offer much needed services like hormone treatment, hair removal treatments, and family support groups. Yet, many GPs still refer first to a counselor who may have little to no experience with gender identity.

Gina Denham, a transgender police officer in England, is teaming up with the NHS to change that, according to Echo. It's her hope to provide trans patients in the area the support they need during transition, and get them access to one of the 7 designated NHS gender identity clinics in England.

One of the biggest barriers and potential cost to the NHS is our GPs sending our members to have counseling when they are meant to be referred to a gender clinic," Denham told Echo. "The GP just seems to ignore your request and sends you to counseling to try and cure you."

When she started to transition in 2014, Echo reports, Denham went to about 65 counseling sessions many of which were unnecessary.

Since then, Denham has become a champion for transgender rights in her community. Educating doctors is not her first project. In early 2016 Denham started a support group called Transpire for LGBTQ people in her neighborhood, which provides people the opportunity to both socialize with others who've had similar experiences and to engage in activist work. The Transpire group has helped educate medical professionals by working with the NHS on training materials.

Excerpt from:
How This Police Officer Is Helping Trans Patients Get Better Care - Refinery29

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