It's all about you! 💌

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Dr Helen often says she learned everything she knows about trans healthcare from the people who know best - her patients. So this month we dedicate our newsletter to all those people who make our community so special - you!

To that end, we want to introduce you to 'GenderGP Voices' so you can hear from those people keen to share their story as part of a brand new podcast series we are launching. 'Voices' is an opportunity for you to share your perspective on what it means to be gender variant. We know that only those whose gender identity differs from the one they were assigned at birth truly know what it is like to navigate a world which tends to see gender in black and white. By telling your real life stories we will show the world that every day people come in every colour of the rainbow and that trans people are just like anyone else! If you would like to get involved email Aby.

Other ways to share your story...
If podcasting isn’t quite right for you, there are plenty of other opportunities to share your story. Whether you want to write us a blog, record your story on audio, or even send us a short film - we’d love to hear from you. Our community is the beating heart of GenderGP and we know how much strength your stories give to those who are struggling with their gender journey. It’s doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be real. We can help with the editing and it can be totally anonymous if you prefer. Just drop us a line with your idea and we can provide some hints and tips.

The GenderGP Podcast
Hopefully by now you’ll have had a chance to listen to our podcast. Season one is available via your favourite podcast app on iOS and android. Alternatively you can listen directly via the website. Drumroll...Season two is now being recorded. We have some exciting guests lined up including Mermaid’s CEO, Susie Green and speech and language therapist, Christella Antoni. If there is a particular person you would like to hear from let us know and we will try to get them on the show. If you do listen, don’t forget to rate and review!

GenderGP Scottish Clinics
In response to demand, we have expanded the number and location of physical premises where trans people can access the services of our gender-specialist affiliates. This includes services for injections, blood-taking, counselling, voice-therapy and advice. We are proudly introducing a new service where all of these will be available from a central location in Glasgow.
If anyone would like further information then please email Katie

Panorama Interview!
You may have spotted Dr Helen on the BBC’s recent episode of Panorama: Trans Kids Why Medicine Matters. If you missed it you can catch up here While we felt the programme missed an opportunity in failing to tackle the root cause of the struggles which younger gender variant people face when trying to access care in the UK, Helen was delighted to represent the voice in favour of supporting gender variant people, based on need rather than age. You can read her review of the programme here.

Wait for treatment 'soul destroying'
The Guardian recently invited members of the trans community to share their experiences when attempting to access treatment via the NHS. They spoke to Dr Helen about her approach as part of the piece, where she reassures that ‘what these patients need is very, very simple’, read the article here.

Trans Youth Care - GGP in LA
There was so much that came out of our trip to the Trans Youth Care conference in LA that we decided to make not one, but two podcast episodes about it. In Trans Youth Care part one, Marianne shares her key learnings, from a psychological perspective. In part two, Dr Helen discusses the latest medical thinking coming out of the US, and just how similar it is to the patient-led approach taken by GenderGP.
This is currently in the editing suite and will be available for download in early March.

My trans journey on the NHS: February on hormones
"My Oestrogen levels have settled down and while changes are still happening they are slow and subtle. Initially I was desperate to see big changes happen fast but I have come to terms with the idea that, when it comes to hormones, nothing happens overnight". Marianne continues to share her journey here.

As always we welcome any comments or suggestions you may have.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.