Our first step was to get our LGBTQIA+ employees and their dependents back into the healthcare system. The good news is that there are providers coming into the space that want to help companies figure this out. For people who are queer, there should be no more barriers to care than there are for CisHet people. This role reversal can be actively harmful.īeing transgender, non-binary, or gender non-conforming does not affect people’s ability to make sound medical decisions. Obtaining this note often requires you to conform to the provider’s idea of a 'man' or 'woman' to get them to believe you.” In this case, the patient is trying to placate their providers and ease the providers’ mind instead of the other way around. In talking to employees about the process, one described it like this: “They ask you to tell them how you feel, and you tell them something like, ‘I feel I would be happier as the other gender’ and they write that down and charge you hundreds or thousands of dollars over multiple sessions before they will send that note to your doctor. No CisHet person has to go through such a process before accessing care.
They usually have to complete multiple sessions with both providers before the providers will attest to their gender identity. At Grindr, we are strong supporters of the informed consent model for adults, and that is how we have set up our program.įor example, when following the WPATH standards, trans people seeking genital surgery are required to see two different and independent mental health providers. While assuredly well-intended in their creation, the application of these standards can make it very difficult, and often harmful, for some trans employees to access care. Many of those plans adopted the WPATH Standards of Care (last updated 2012), which are outlined in a 120-page document. Some pioneering companies created their own programs, which was a big step in the right direction. While some insurance companies say they offer gender affirmation assistance, access to that assistance often comes with so many hurdles that many people give up. Tackling the healthcare issue for trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming employees We wanted to make sure that our employees have best-in-class healthcare and keep them from being one of these statistics, which is why we made some changes. Queer people are 3x more likely to avoid care 50% less likely to get the prescriptions they need and 29% of trans people surveyed by the Center for American Progress reported being refused medical care because of their actual or perceived gender identity. Members of the LGBTQ+ community have much lower participation in the healthcare system than straight people because it’s often hard to find medical providers who are both compassionate and competent in issues they typically face. We hope we can work with other companies to help them follow suit. We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve partnered with Level, FOLX, and Included Health to provide more holistic and inclusive healthcare options for our employees, with specific focus on gender affirmation assistance for our trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming employees. At Grindr, we believe all companies, including health insurance companies, should move to an informed consent model for all gender-affirming care.