OCCH Equity Committee Authors Statement In Support Of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth

At Connecticut Children’s, we embrace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in all that we do. As part of our DEI Framework and ongoing commitment to creating an environment where team members, patients, families and community partners all feel welcome and respected, committee members and other allies in our organization authored,?The Life Saving Impact of Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth. (Be sure to scroll down to the?Our Statements?section of the page.)

The statement outlines the negative impact of legislation banning access to gender-affirming care and how having access to gender-affirming care can significantly improve mental health outcomes in transgender and gender diverse youth. It also features ways we can all make a difference by being better allies both in and outside the workplace.

A special thank you to our team members who informed this statement, helping Connecticut Children’s continue to raise awareness about diversity, equity and inclusion beyond our health system.

• Susie DiVietro, PhD, Connecticut Children’s Injury Prevention Center
• Lauren Dominique, MA, Office for Community Child Health
• Debra Dudack, Connecticut Children’s Marketing and Communications Department
• Amy Hunter, PhD, MPH, University of Connecticut School of Medicine
• Priya Phulwani, MD, Connecticut Children’s Gender Program
• Morgan Reiss, LMSW, Connecticut Children’s Help Me Grow National Center
• Melissa Santos, PhD, Connecticut Children’s Division of Pediatric Psychology