Internet Resources for Information and Support for Gender Dysphoria, GID, Hormone Therapy and SRS Surgery

Plastic surgery to alter physical characteristics in the framework of treatment for gender dysphoria, formerly called Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is only one stage of transition. MTF breast augmentation and FTM chest reconstruction surgeries are usually performed following a period of careful contemplation about your gender identity and presentation and for some people hormone therapy to feminize or masculinize appearance before making more permanent surgical physical alternations.

A sex and/or gender reassignment program of treatment can take from many months to several years, and the process can be challenging.  The physical, mental, and/or emotional changes you may experience occur in the context of your relationships with family, friends, and legal and professional requirements. This can be a stressful experience. Personal assistance, understanding and support are often necessary to make a successful transition.

The Internet offers a rich source of information for anyone seeking medical and general knowledge about gender dysphoria, how gender identity disorder is diagnosed, what treatments are available, and living as a transgender or gender non-conforming person.  Advances in medical and social research have brought new understanding of transgender issues, and people in the trans community publish websites to exchange information and support with others seeking help or going through the treatment process.

Surgery Information:

The most accurate websites describing SRS plastic surgery options are internationally recognized medical guidelines and published professional medical standards.

• • The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care SOC, Seventh Edition, are international guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gender dysphoria or GID.
  • International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) is an official medical standard published by the World Health Organization for diagnosis and treatment of gender dysphoria, transsexualism, or GID. cdc.gov

FTM Chest Reconstruction Resources:

Many websites have been set up by and for FTM transpeople to describe their own surgeries and results along with general information. Specialized medical associations and online publications of clinical studies are also reliable sources of information on FTM surgical procedures and results.

• Transbucket is a project site set up for individuals to exchange FTM chest reconstruction information, including viewing and posting before and after photos. You must join to use the site but it is free and photos can be posted anonymously. transbucket.com
• Hudson’s FTM Guide is an educational site with comprehensive and detailed information describing surgery, surgical procedures, costs, benefits, risks and general advice (with the disclaimer that it is not intended to be a medical site).ftmguide.org

MTF Breast Augmentation Resources:

Many websites have been set up by and for MTF transpeople to describe their own surgeries and results along with general MTF chest reconstruction information. Specialized medical associations and online publications of clinical studies are also reliable sources of information on MTF surgical procedures and results.

National and International Organization Support Websites:

If you are exploring changes to your sex and gender identity but don’t know where to begin learning more about yourself and your options, it will be helpful to schedule an appointment with a counselor at a local chapter of an established professional organization. Here are some options for you:

• (PFLAG), a national non-profit organization with over 200,000 members and supporters and more than 350 affiliates in the United States. A grassroots network, PFLAG is cultivated, resourced and serviced by the PFLAG National Office, Washington, D.C. community.pflag.org
• Point of Pride works to benefit trans people in need through gender-affirming support programs that empower them to live more authentically. Point of Pride offers an Annual Transgender Surgery Fund, a Free Chest Binder Donation Program, a Free Trans Femme Shapewear Program, an Electrolysis Financial Support Program, an HRT Access Fund, and other community-building support initiatives for trans youth and adults.
  pointofpride.org
• The Jim Collins Foundation advocates for health care reform and the national adoption of inclusive health care policies that protect and serve our community. The mission of the Jim Collins Foundation is to provide financial assistance to transgender people for gender-affirming surgeries. The Jim Collins Foundation raises money to fund gender-affirming surgeries for those transgender people who need surgery to live a healthy life, but have no ability to pay for it themselves. The Jim Collins Foundation is a community-based initiative promoting the self-determination and empowerment of all transgender people.
  jimcollinsfoundation.org
• Genderbands is an international nonprofit organization that serves the transgender, gender non-conforming, and other gender diverse communities. The organization is volunteer-lead and executes programming, services, and events on both a local and international scale. Genderbands operates primarily through the support from partnerships, direct sales, and the solicitation of donations. They offer surgery grants and free chest binders, as well as educational resources on how to use them correctly.
  genderbands.org
• Dr. Z provides evaluations and letter write-ups completely for free, at no cost to the transgender community to California and Florida residents (no other states currently due to licensure rules).
  drzphd.com
• The Gender & Family Project (GFP) was founded in 2010 by Jean Malpas, LMHC, LMFT, at the Ackerman Institute for the Family, a groundbreaking institution in the field of family therapy. With its innovative combination of clinical services, community training, and research initiatives, GFP has become a leading voice in the gender and family movement. GFP pioneered a model of gender-affirmative care that recognizes all family relationships as essential to protecting and nurturing trans and non-binary youth. GFP is a program of the Ackerman Institute for the Family, a groundbreaking institution in the field of family therapy. Founded in 1960 by Dr. Nathan W. Ackerman, the Ackerman Institute has been a leading provider of couple and family therapy services, training, and cutting-edge research initiatives dedicated to the development of new treatment models and training techniques.
  genderandfamilyproject.org
• Plume works to provide the highest quality gender-affirming care and truly meet patients where they are by dismantling barriers that keep gender-diverse people from living their fullest life. Plume provides gender-affirming care directly from your smartphone. Their experienced healthcare providers understand the unique needs of the trans community. Membership with Plume includes everything you need to start, continue, and maintain your gender-affirming hormone treatment.
  how-it-works
• FOLX Health serves LGBTQIA+ folx providing HRT & Sexual Healthcare.
  folxhealth.com
• ‘My Trans Health’ is a free online directory connecting Trans Folk with competent healthcare providers nationwide.
  mytranshealth
• Sascha Blank is a National Board-CertifiedHealth and Wellness Coach providing inclusive Gender Affirming Care. He offers coaching and support with smoking cessation, healthy weight loss and gain, diet adjustment based on medical restrictions, safe post-recovery exercise, establishing hormonal injection routines, supplementation, and other important habits.
  sascha-blank
• LGBTQ and ALL is an inclusive community for folks who live within the margins. Whether identifying as gay, straight, trans, non-binary, BIPOC, larger-bodied, sex worker, neurodivergent, living with a disability, or in poverty, the LGBTQ and ALL community strives to uplift all its members. Allies, friends, families, partners, and chosen family are additionally invited to be apart of this community. LGBTQ and ALL welcome those who acknowledge their privilege and do their part to interact with the LGBTQ+ community positively and stand up for their rights.
  gender-confirmation-resources
• The Deaf Queer Resource Center is a deaf QTPOC-lead national LGBTQ+ non-profit support organization based in San Francisco, CA.
  https://www.abplasticsurgery.org/
• Renaissance Transgender Association is a national transgender support and education organization with many chapters in the eastern US. ren.org
• Mathew Shepard Foundation is a charitable organization whose mission is to support diversity programs in education and to help youth organizations establish environments where young people can feel safe and be themselves. They promote understanding, compassion and acceptance of the LGBT community. MatthewShepard.org
• The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), a media and resource for those new to or unfamiliar with transgender issues. The site also includes further resource links. Glaad.org
• Brave Trails is a national non-profit organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth leadership. Brave Trails offers accredited summer camps, family camps, mentorship programs, meet-up groups, and year-round leadership programming. All of their programs focus on helping LGBTQ+ youth find what they need most to thrive: their people, their place, and their passion.bravetrails.org
• GSA network is an LGBTQ+racial & gender justice org empowering queer & trans youth leaders.gsanetwork.org/

Community Members Sharing Surgery Resources:

There are many networking sites for transsexual, transgender, and gender non-conforming people including  “life story” and diary reports describing personal experiences. There is no guarantee that the information given in these sites is medically accurate, but they can be a source of moral support and comfort.

• Real Life Experience (RLE) is a non-profit organization “committed to providing safe space and opportunities for self-exploration and learning for all members of our diverse community.” They present Fantasia Fair, a week-long celebration of gender diversity, the longest-running transgender annual conference in the world every October in Province town A. fantasiafair.org
• Susan’s Place is an Australia-based reference site with resources on every facet of transgender life. susans.org

Transgender Advocacy and Legal Rights Websites:

Knowing your rights is an important element in obtaining counseling, treatment and support. Learning about the legal aspects of living in a sex and/or gender that you were not designated at birth can help you avoid difficulties during and after transition.

• Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) is a non-profit organization that works proactively with other concerned lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations to ensure that transgender veterans  receive appropriate care for their medical conditions in accordance with the Veterans Health Administration’s Customer Service Standards promise to “treat you with courtesy and dignity… as the first class citizen that you are.” tavausa.org
• Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) is committed to ending discrimination based on gender identity and expression and to achieving equality for transpeople through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services, community organizing and public policy efforts. transgenderlegal.org
• Transgender Law Center (TLC) works to change law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression. They offer programs in law, policy, health, economic justice, and movement building and legal services include information and referrals and in some cases, direct representation. transgenderlawcenter.org
• National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) is a non-profit social justice organization dedicated to advancing the equality of transgender people through advocacy, collaboration and empowerment. transequality.org
• GID Reform Advocates are medical professionals, caregivers, scholars, researchers, students, human rights advocates, and members of the transgender, bisexual, lesbian and gay communities and their allies who advocate reform of the psychiatric classification of gender diversity as mental disorder.
• The American Civil Liberties Union, LGBT Project fights discrimination and moves public opinion on LGBT rights through the courts, legislatures and public education. aclu.org
• Connecticut Trans Advocacy Coalition (CTAC) is dedicated to improving societal attitudes and the law to achieve equal rights for trans and gender non-conforming individuals and communities, through education, political and social advocacy and activism. transadvocacy.org
• The greater Sacramento area has a thriving LGBTQ community and there are many resources available to both allies and those within the community. Visit Sacwellness LGBTQ Resources to learn more.

Support Groups for Relatives:

• Anne M. Vitale, Ph.D. hosts a professional website of publications and essays by this noted psychologist specializing in treating transsexual, transgender, and gender non-conforming people. The site includes a comprehensive list of resources for relatives.
• COLAGE is a national organization supporting children, youth and adults with LGBT parent(s). colage.org
• TransFamily is a support group for transgender and transsexual people, their parents, partners, children, other family members, friends, and supportive allies. transfamily.org
• The TransFamily Alliance is a support community & resource hub for parents raising transgender, non-binary, & gender expansive youth.
• Rebecca Minor is a Gender Specialist partnering with trans and gender nonconforming youth through their journey of becoming and or expressing their truth; and a guide to their parents in affirming it.
• UCSF’s Child and Adolescent Gender Center offers comprehensive medical and psychological care, as well as advocacy and legal support, to transgender, nonbinary and gender-expansive kids. We bring together experts from within as well as outside UCSF to promote gender health and support positive outcomes for children and adolescents exploring gender identity and expression. The CAGC accepts new patients ages 3 through 17.* Patients may continue to receive care at the CAGC through age 25.
• Gender Spectrum’s approach is to take the critical areas of children’s lives and work to bring greater gender understanding and inclusion. We focus on creating gender-inclusive spaces throughout the primary domains of all children’s lives.
• The Gender & Family Project (GFP) empowers youth, families and communities by providing gender affirmative services, training and research. GFP promotes gender inclusivity as a form of social justice in all the systems involved in the life of the family.
• The Trevor Project is an introductory educational resource that covers topics and best practices on how to support transgender and nonbinary young people.
• Ally-Parents is a group of parents who have come together across the U.S because we have a transgender child.

Spiritual and Religious Resources:

Regional US Support Groups:

There are countless regional support groups set up by or for transpeople. While you may not be located in their area, their websites are often excellent resource guides to networking and finding assistance in your own area.

Trans:Thrive

• • Located in San Francisco, California: Trans Thrive aims to create safe spaces, events and services for the entire Trans/GNC community. From case management and medical services (including Primary Care, HRT and Needle Exchange), to mental health and substance use support, to social groups and special events, to a drop in center (with snacks and refreshments, clothing closet and a computer lab), Trans Thrive proves to be a multi-faceted, impactful community resource.
    https://www.abplasticsurgery.org/
  • @sflgbtcenter ‘s Trans Employment Program supports you through every aspect of the job search process and matches you with trans friendly employers: from setting a goal and targeting employers, to building outstanding resumes and cover letters, to practicing successful interview techniques, identifying references, and salary negotiations.
    Learn more
  • SF LGBT Center connects our diverse community to opportunities, resources and each other to achieve our vision of a stronger, healthier, and more equitable world for LGBT people and allies.
    SF LGBT’s Trans Employment Program supports via:
    Career Coaching
    Finding Your Dream Job
    Employer Support
    HR Trans Inclusion Training and Policy Review
    Job Search Support
    Resumes, Interviews, Tips for Trans & GNC Job Seekers
    Workshops
    Leadership Training and Life Skills Classes
    Legal Services
    ID Document Support and Transitioning on the Work
    Networking
    Professional Mentoring and Community Events
    Referrals
    Housing, Healthcare, and Local Resources
    Jobs
    Job Postings and Referrals to Employers
    Trans Visibility Campaign
    https://www.sfcenter.org/transgender-employment-program-tep/.
  • San Francisco Office of Transgender Initiatives works with the community and the City of San Francisco to advance equity for Transgender and nonconforming people.https://sf.gov/departments/city-administrator/office-transgender-initiatives
  • PFLAG was founded in 1972 with the simple act of a mother publicly supporting her gay son, PFLAG is the nation’s largest family and ally organization. Uniting people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) with families, friends, and allies. PFLAG is committed to advancing equality and full societal affirmation of LGBTQ people through its threefold mission of support, education, and advocacy. PFLAG has over 400 chapters and 200,000 members and supporters crossing multiple generations of American families in major urban centers, small cities, and rural areas in all 50 states.https://pflag.org/
  • The New York Transgender Advocacy Group is a Trans-led organization. Their mission is to advocate for more inclusive gender-based policies that benefit Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming/Non-Binary (TGNCNB) individuals through building community leaders, educating practitioners, and influencing policy makers. They seek to create an equitable society for TGNCNB people. To achieve this, they work with stakeholders around New York to train and empower the TGNCNB community to become active leaders in shaping the world around them.https://www.nytag.org/
    
    • Central Texas Transgender Society is an informal association of groups and individuals living in central Texas.transcentex.org
    • Mid-Hudson Valley Transgender Association is a non-discriminatory group structured to allow participation by all who support the transgender community of the Mid-Hudson Valley in NY. http://www.ren.org/
    • Tiffany Club of New England (TCNE) is one of the largest and oldest transgender support group in New England. tcne.org
    • Ohio University LGBT website published specifically for information and guidance for students and prospective students and their families. The site contains easy-to-navigate sections on terminology, definitions, hormone therapy and plastic surgery information, and practical living. It also includes further resource site links.https://www.ohio.edu/diversity/lgbt

Emergency Support When in Crisis:

• • • The Trevor Project is a leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth that create safe, accepting, and inclusive environments over the phone, online, and through text.
      Trevor Lifeline—A national 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ young people under 25, available at 1-866-488-7386.
      TrevorChat—A free, confidential, secure instant messaging service for LGBTQ youth that provides live help from trained volunteer counselors.
      TrevorText—A free, confidential, secure service in which LGBTQ young people can text a trained Trevor counselor for support and crisis intervention, available by texting START to 678-678.
      https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
    • Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community. Their hotline is run by trans people, for trans people. They believe that trans people are equipped to support one another, and that each trans person knows best what support looks like for them. They use active listening, community knowledge, shared lived experience and trust to be there for peers.
      US (877) 565-8860 or
      CAN (877) 330-6366
      https://translifeline.org/

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service with over 120 crisis centers across the US. Help is available to anyone in suicidal crisis by dialing 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be immediately connected to the closest possible crisis center to you. The NSPL is committed to providing immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself or for someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential. www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Online MTF Programs also serve as helpful resources for suicide prevention. https://onlinemftprograms.com/suicide-prevention/

Information is the First Step in Treating Gender Dysphoria

Dr. Scott Mosser and his staff have reviewed and compiled this list of important websites and useful links for anyone contemplating SRS surgery and those who care about them. As in most human endeavors, “knowledge is power”, and Dr. Mosser is firmly committed to helping his patients reach important decisions regarding surgical alterations to their bodies only after being fully informed of both the risks and the benefits.