San Francisco, Calif. – San Francisco Community Health Center (SFCHC) is excited to announce the opening of its new Trans Thrive location in the Lower Polk neighborhood of San Francisco—the first 8,000-square-foot, stand-alone facility in the city dedicated exclusively to serving the trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) communities with a wraparound suite of health and social services.
“I can see this as a game changer for trans services here in San Francisco,” said SFCHC Managing Director Nicky “Tita Aida” Calma. “I believe my trans siblings, especially the most marginalized among us, deserve a place where they will feel important, special, and that their lives are worth caring for. That’s what we want to do in this new space.”
Trans Thrive has served as one of the leading programs for transgender and gender non-conforming people living in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Over the past 15 years, the initiative has become a trusted source for holistic wrap-around services, including:
- Behavioral/mental health & substance use counseling
- HIV/STD/HEP C testing & treatment
- Psycho-social support groups
- Individualized case management
- Transitional support services, including referral to auxiliary services
- Community programs such as the SheBoutique and Folk & Swagger
The launch of the new Trans Thrive facility was born out of a comprehensive community needs assessment conducted by SFCHC’s Senior Strategy Advisor Tatyana Moaton, PhD, over a four-month period in 2022, including listening sessions, surveys and interviews. Findings from this assessment highlighted the unique challenges and disproportionate burden of poverty, lack of stable housing, and employment discrimination, which negatively impact the physical and mental health of TGNC individuals.
“Addressing these inequities requires a comprehensive and integrated approach that also acknowledges and combats the violence, stigma and discrimination our TGNC community faces on a daily basis,” stated Dr. Moaton. “We heard clearly that TGNC individuals want to interact with clinicians and service providers who understand their struggles and concerns. That’s why Trans Thrive will be led and staffed by members of the TGNC community, serving as a place of refuge and comfort for clientele.”
Trans Thrive sponsor Gilead Sciences praised SFCHC for its innovative work in promoting the safety, health and wellness of the transgender community.
“Transgender people need access to mental health and life-saving resources, including gender-affirming care and HIV testing and treatment,” said Jane Stafford, executive director of Public Affairs at Gilead Sciences. “It is more important than ever to ensure TGNC individuals can receive the essential services they need. The new Trans Thrive facility is a critical component in addressing disparities within the Bay Area. We look forward to seeing the impact of this important work throughout the community.”
The Trans Thrive facility opens as an onslought of hateful rhetoric and regressive legislation proliferating across the U.S. aimed at the trans community. This year alone, more than 300 bills have been introduced across 33 states that would limit transgender rights, including bans on gender-affirming care that is proven to saves lives. These attacks on the TGNC community are backward and cruel.
“We must and will fight any and all backlash and stand firm in the unassailable truth that the TGNC community has the right to live healthy, joyful, and productive lives,” said SFCHC CEO Lance Toma. “This new home for Trans Thrive embodies our belief that TGNC individuals will always have a place of belonging in our community.”
To find out more about the Trans Thrive facility, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
For media inquiries, please contact Troy Espera at troy@sfcommunityhealth.org.
About San Francisco Community Health Center:
San Francisco Community Health Center is an LGBTQ and people of color community health center that believes everyone deserves to be healthy and offers the highest quality medical, dental, and behavioral health care. We foster resilience, belonging, and healing for all communities. To us, health care will always be grounded in social justice.
For more information regarding available sponsorships or to learn more about San Francisco Community Health Center, visit https://sfcommunityhealth.org or call (415) 292-3400.
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