• Home
• Transition 101
• Support Services: Helpful links

Outside Resources for Our Trans and Non-Binary Patients and their Loved Ones

We have reviewed and compiled this list of important websites and useful links for patients interested in gender-affirming care for those contemplating surgery and their loved ones. We have compiled resources on the following topics:

1. Mental Health Crisis Support:
2. Gender-Affirming Healthcare & Mental Health Providers
3. Support for Loved Ones of Trans, Non-Binary and Gender Expansive People
4. Surgery Information Resources
5. Transgender Medical Advocacy and Legal Resources
6. Substance Abuse Resources:

If the resource you are looking for is not on this page, you can review the extensive resource database that the San Francisco LGBT Center has organized.

Mental Health Crisis Support:

The following are free hotlines and chat services for trans, non-binary, and gender expansive folks experiencing a mental health crisis around suicidal ideation and attempts.

Trans Lifeline

US (877) 565-8860 or
CAN (877) 330-6366

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. Their hotline is run by trans people, for trans people. They use active listening, community knowledge, shared lived experience, and trust to be there for their peers. They are one of the only suicide hotlines that is committed to not collaborating with police departments.

The Trevor Project

Call: 866-488-7386

Text: START to 678-678.

The Trevor Project is a leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth. They 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 where LGBTQ young people can text a trained Trevor counselor for support and crisis intervention, available by texting START to 678-678.

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Generalized, Not Specialized for Trans and Non-Binary Folks)

Call: 988

Chat en español aquí

Chat in English here

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) is a free and confidential suicide prevention lifeline that connects individuals with crisis counselors for emotional support and other services 24/7 across the U.S. (and certain territories). You can reach them via web chat or by texting or calling 988. Chat is also available in Spanish.

Gender-Affirming Healthcare & Mental Health Providers

While we offer a full-spectrum of gender-affirming surgical care, there are several gender care services we do not offer. For example, currently we do not provide the following services at the GCC:

• Psychotherapy
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• Laser hair removal and electrolysis
• Hysterectomy
• Peritoneal pull-through and robotic vaginoplasty (we only offer penile-inversion vaginoplasty)
• STD and HIV testing, diagnosis, and treatment

Below you can find a list of trusted providers that offer the services mentioned above and more: This is not a comprehensive list, and information may be updated at any time.

Directory of Healthcare and Mental Health Professionals

• World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) has a directory that allows you to search for gender-affirming providers in any healthcare field or specialty.

• LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory is a free, searchable database of doctors, medical professionals, and healthcare providers who are knowledgeable about and sensitive to the unique health needs of LGBTQ+ people in the USA and Canada.

• OutCare Health is an organization that empowers LGBTQ+ individuals through comprehensive resources, support, and education to provide access to quality healthcare. The OutList provides a directory of LGBT affirming healthcare providers.
• Plume and Folx Health are two online, telehealth providers of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other healthcare services for trans, non-binary and gender expansive folks.
• Online databases like the Gender Affirmative Letter Access Project (GALAP), the list of WPATH members or other online search engines like Psychology Today can help individuals find psychotherapists and psychiatrists specialized in treating gender diverse folks.

Grants for Gender-Affirming Surgery

At the Gender Confirmation Center, we recognize that finances are one of the greatest barriers for the patients we serve to access medically necessary, gender-affirming care. We are unable to offer free or pro-bono surgeries directly as a medical practice. However, through our philanthropic efforts, we fund three non-profit organizations that have vetting processes to fully fund gender-affirming surgery for those in need. We partner with Point of Pride, the Jim Collins Foundation, and Genderbands.

Surgery Information Resources

Many patients find support and advice around undergoing gender surgery from online communities like Facebook groups for trans and non-binary people. These online forums provide our communities with the space to openly ask questions about surgery, share their own surgical results, speak openly about experiences with different providers, and more. 

Transbucket and Transgender Map are both online forums dedicated to gender-affirming surgery. Individuals can post their before and after photos and discuss surgery with former and prospective patients. The forums are only visible to registered members, but you can sign-up for free and make posts anonymously. Additionally, The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center has a library of webinars and written resources on different transgender health topics.

Support for Loved Ones of Trans, Non-Binary and Gender Expansive People

It is perfectly normal if you need to do your own processing once you find out that your child, family member, or another loved one close to you is transgender or non-binary. It is best to find a confidential outlet, such as a licensed therapist, to have these conversations with so as not to violate the trust and guidance of your loved one. If you are looking for a therapist, the list of mental health providers above can be a good place to start.

Regardless of whether or not you can access a gender therapist or coach, many parents benefit from joining a community of caretakers of LGBT+ youth. If you think you could benefit from being in a supportive group of other parents in a similar situation, we encourage you to see if there is a local PFLAG chapter in your town.

Transgender Medical Advocacy and Legal Resources

The following organizations can help individuals receive legal support for accessing healthcare and other concerns.

• Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) is a non-profit organization that works proactively with other concerned lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations. Its goal is 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.”
• Advocates for Trans Equality is committed to ending discrimination based on gender identity and expression and to achieving equality for trans and non-binary people through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services, community organizing, and public policy efforts.
• Transgender Law Center (TLC) works to change laws, policies, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, comfortably, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression. TLC offers programs in law, policy, health, economic justice, and movement building. Its legal services include information and referrals and, in some cases, direct representation. Individuals can get support here.
• The American Civil Liberties Union, LGBT Rights Project fights discrimination and moves public opinion on LGBT rights through the courts, legislatures, and public education.

Substance Abuse Resources:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and plays an important role in addressing the mental health and substance abuse needs of the LGBT community through a range of initiatives and partnerships.

• SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Hotlines:
  800-662-4357 (HELP)
  800-487-4889 (TDD)
  877-767-8432 (español)
  Text your zip code to 435748 (HELP4U)
• For Providers: A Provider’s Introduction to Substance Abuse Treatment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Individuals | SAMHSA Publications and Digital Products

You can find a rehabilitation center by city and state near you: https://www.addictions.com/rehabs/