About Us
Mission
Our mission is to provide comprehensive and community-driven physical, mental/emotional and social health care across the lifespan for transgender, gender non-binary and gender expansive communities. Our work is grounded in social justice and cultural humility that recognizes all parts of a person’s identity. We strive to be a model for expanding access to gender-affirming care in public health systems.
Vision
We envision a world in which the physical, mental/emotional and social needs of all TGNB/GE people are met and TGNB/GE communities are free to grow and thrive to the fullest.
Why the Gender Health Center?
In 2013 the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health completed a county-wide LGBT Health Assessment Survey. The survey revealed that transgender, gender non-binary, and gender expansive (TGNB/GE) people in the County face deep economic and health disparities. Despite a high need for services, 38% of TGNB/GE people were unable to access needed medical care and 28% had experienced healthcare discrimination. Community partners reported TGNB people were leaving the County to have their healthcare needs met.
In response to this gap in care for TGNB/GE people, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC) in partnership the County of Santa Clara Office of LGBTQ Affairs proposed the creation of the first all-ages clinic specializing in services for TGNB/GE patients in the South Bay. In November 2018, that proposal became a reality and the SCVMC Gender Health Center was born!