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The SAGE Project's Transgender services are
provided on-site in individual counseling sessions and at
the San Francisco County Jail, in both group and individual
sessions. As of June 30, 2003, 40 clients received 762 units
of service from the SAGE Transgender services program.
To further develop our capability to provide quality services
for our transgender clients, SAGE’s transgender counselor
provided transgender sensitivity training for all staff and
created a transgender resource guide for transgender clients.
As with many other SAGE services, peer counseling is essential
when providing services to the transgender population. Having
a counselor who can personally relate to the unique needs
and issues faced by this marginalized population establishes
a level of comfort and engenders trust. The largest obstacle
faced by the transgender population has been commonly identified—by
community advocates and transgender organizations—as
integration into mainstream society.
SAGE staff may provide referrals for physical evaluations
to begin or to maintain Hormone Therapy, to obtain legal name
changes, or for facial electrolysis and laser treatment for
body hair. SAGE staff also provide education on Hormone Therapy
medications, health and safety, and the importance of not
mixing hormones with illicit drug use.
When transgender individuals are incarcerated, they are not
commonly permitted access to Hormone Therapy medications.
An abrupt cessation of Hormone Therapy can be physically and
psychologically damaging. For incarcerated transgender clients,
we provide advocacy to continue Hormone Therapy where needed,
education on discrimination and transgender rights, and referrals
for substance abuse treatment and trauma recovery services.
SAGE staff also distributes information on the San Francisco
Human Rights Grievance Policy and the City’s Transgender
Protocol, and works with local rehabilitation facilities to
bring transgender-friendly substance abuse treatment program
Intake Coordinators into the jails to conduct intake interviews.
For more information on CSE issues or alternative healing
modalities, visit the Information Center using the links above.
For more information about the Wellness, Mental Health, Youth,
or other SAGE programs and services, use the links above,
or contact us at SAGE. |
