FOLX Health

At FOLX, LGBTQIA+ healthcare is personal. This election was deeply personal. And the effects will be deeply felt for the next many years. We remain committed to fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights, offering holistic mental health care and gender-affirming care, and being a pillar of support for the entire LGBTQIA+ community. We’ve been here before, and we’ll keep showing up—no matter what. We're here for you.

In the wake of the election, and a campaign with unprecedented spending on anti-trans ads, and the ever-increasing legislative threats against LGBTQIA+ healthcare, we know that many in our community are feeling devastated and anxious today. Here at FOLX Health, we’re taking action to ensure that our community has the support we need, right when we need it. FOLX was founded because LGBTQIA+ people have always been underserved by mainstream healthcare. In times like these it is ever more clear that our mission is critical and necessary. We at FOLX will continue to do everything we can to provide holistic care and ensure our continued access to the healthcare we deserve. Here are some of our offerings. Therapist-facilitated support spaces: We have guided meditations, open sharing spaces, and anxiety-coping tools, led by our LGBTQIA+ specialized therapists. Community chats: We’ve been running 24/7 chats in the FOLX Community Platform —a safe space for thousands of community members to share and support one another, about the election, or anything else that comes up. Mental health resources: We’ve put together a roundup of coping strategies, mental health services, and tips for managing election-related anxiety. Expansion of therapy services: We are now offering therapy in 9 states, and are working to swiftly get to all 50. This growth is part of our expansion into comprehensive mental health services in light of the political climate and existing health disparities. At FOLX, we’re as committed as ever to fighting for trans rights, offering gender-affirming care and holistic mental health care, and being a pillar of support for the LGBTQIA+ community. We’ve been here before, and we’ll keep showing up—no matter what. ?? When times are tough, taking action is a balm, and we are grateful to be a resource for so many LGBTQIA+ employees nationwide via our employer partners. Reach out if you or your team needs extra support. #LGBTQIA #TransRights #GenderAffirmingCare #MentalHealthSupport #HealthcareEquality #FOLX

Continue your exploration of LGBTQIA+ history this month and all year long with some of these incredible books. Book club, anyone? For more, including books to read your kids or share with the young adults in your life, you can check out our LGBTQIA+ History Guide in the FOLX Library. https://lnkd.in/gCz6uY7W What are some of your favorite LGBTQIA+ history books that we didn't list? What should we read next?

Today is Intersex Awareness Day, and it's an important time to talk about the systemic injustices intersex people face in healthcare. For much of recent memory, intersex people's needs have been ignored, their bodies subjected to unnecessary surgeries, and their autonomy denied, often, distressingly, by well-meaning but misguided parents who were working with medical professionals. At FOLX, we're committed to providing affirming, inclusive care for everybody and every body —care that centers self-determination and respects bodily autonomy. Let's educate ourselves, amplify intersex voices, and work towards a healthcare system that celebrates every body exactly as it is. ?? Read our latest article on how we can create a better, more inclusive future for intersex people: https://lnkd.in/gDAFuxDe

Beginning this past summer our clinicians and member navigators started getting increasing outreach from our members asking about how they could keep themselves safe and retain access to healthcare no matter the outcome of the upcoming election. It is heartbreaking that we have to worry about this. That trans people, that parents of trans kids, that people with reproductive systems all have to worry that their health might be jeopardized because of unjust, not medically sound policies. ? At FOLX, we witness every day how this political climate affects our community’s health. We surveyed over 1,500 trans individuals across the country to get their thoughts and feelings.? ? Read the full report to understand the pulse of the trans community this election season in our Library: https://lnkd.in/eQY9TPXc

Another little lesson for #LGBTHistoryMonth! The LGBTQIA+ Flag has changed over time to reflect our community better, while retaining many of the elements that made it special from the original. One of the things we love about our community is how we continue evolving to be more inclusive to members of our big rainbow community. Learn more about this history by checking out our LGBTQIA+ History Guide in the FOLX Library. https://lnkd.in/gCz6uY7W

We are excited to share this new study on the adoption of new gender markers by health professionals, following the expansion of the NPI system to include additional options for gender identity, including options for non-binary health professionals, alongside the "male" and "female” options. As Jae Corman, PhD says in the press release, "This expansion is a pivotal step toward a more inclusive healthcare system and a significant win for clinicians. It not only can prevent misgendering, but also can enhance the accuracy of patient directories and research. Research has found that patients often avoid care due to perceived identity differences with their clinicians. As a non-binary person, it’s incredibly meaningful to see my identity represented in healthcare settings." Here at FOLX Health we are dedicated to making healthcare more truly inclusive from every angle we can. Thank you to everyone at GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality and Whitman-Walker who worked to make this big step towards gender diverse inclusion possible. https://lnkd.in/gg73AifR

With 527 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced this session alone, and an impending election with high stakes, LGBTQIA+ rights are on the line. The choices voters make in just a few weeks will have a profound impact on everything from healthcare rights to family definitions.? ? At FOLX, we see firsthand how this political climate affects our community’s health. We surveyed over 1,500 LGBTQ+ individuals across the country to learn more and were devastated, yet not surprised, by some of the results. ? Read the full report to understand the pulse of the trans community this election season in our Library: https://lnkd.in/eQY9TPXc

Did you know today is International Pronouns Day? The day is dedicated to raising awareness and educating people about the importance of respecting and sharing personal pronouns. When we work with benefits teams, pronouns are one of the hot topics people want to learn more about - especially with the increase in use of they/them pronouns or multiple pronouns, and with tools like Zoom and LinkedIn and Slack encouraging people to share their pronouns with others in the workplace. One of the best ways to show your allyship is to share your pronouns! Sharing pronouns is not just for trans or gender diverse people. It's a way for all of us to normalize sharing our identities and let people know they can share theirs too. Join in by updating your pronouns here on LinkedIn today, or fill in the blank with this graphic with your pronouns and share it in your feed.

????? Happy National Coming Out Day! Coming out is not just a single moment—it's a complex, ongoing journey. It can happen many times, in many ways, and it’s different for everyone. For some, it’s sharing their truth just with loved ones, for others, it’s finding safety in being fully themselves at work. At FOLX, we understand the importance of safe spaces—whether that's at home, in healthcare, or at work. We know that workplaces can play a big role in creating an environment where LGBTQIA+ people feel affirmed and seen. By cultivating inclusive policies, proactive support, and real allyship, we can make sure that coming out isn’t just an option, but something people can do safely and on their own terms. To everyone on their coming out journey, wherever you are: You are valid at every step. You don’t need to have all the answers, and you deserve to take each step at your own pace. We see you. We celebrate you. There's a place for you here, whether you're out or not. #NationalComingOutDay #LGBTQIAInclusion #SafeSpacesAtWork